Why Asbestos Was Used in Brake Pads
Asbestos was the ideal friction material for automotive applications because it could withstand extreme heat generated during braking without degrading. Chrysotile (white) asbestos fibers were woven or compressed into brake pad and shoe friction materials, providing consistent stopping performance under high-temperature conditions. By the mid-20th century, virtually every passenger car, truck, and commercial vehicle in the United States used asbestos-containing brake components.
The problem was that normal brake wear, and especially service work, released asbestos fibers. Drum brake assemblies accumulated years of asbestos-laden brake dust inside the drum. When a mechanic opened a drum or used compressed air to blow out dust — a common practice until OSHA discouraged it — they created a concentrated cloud of respirable asbestos fibers in an enclosed shop environment.
Major Asbestos Brake Pad & Clutch Manufacturers
| Brand / Manufacturer | Products | Asbestos Period | Trust Fund |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raybestos (Raybestos-Manhattan) | Brake pads, brake shoes, clutch facings — OEM and aftermarket | 1900s–1980s | Pneumo Abex Trust |
| Bendix / Allied Signal | Brake linings, pads, shoes — major OEM supplier to Ford, GM, Chrysler | 1920s–1980s | Honeywell / Bendix Asbestos Trust |
| Wagner (Federal-Mogul) | Brake pads and shoes — major aftermarket brand | Through 1980s | Federal-Mogul Asbestos PI Trust |
| Ferodo (T&N / Turner & Newall) | Brake linings and clutch facings — OEM and aftermarket | Through early 1980s | T&N Limited Trust |
| Carlisle Companies | Brake linings, truck and heavy equipment friction products | Through 1980s | Carlisle Companies Trust |
| Pneumo-Dynamics / Abex | Aircraft and industrial brake linings | Through 1980s | Pneumo Abex Trust |
Highest-Risk Brake Service Activities
- Compressed-air blowout: Blowing accumulated brake dust out of drum assemblies with compressed air created the highest-intensity fiber exposures — now prohibited by OSHA
- Dry brushing: Brushing dust out of brake drums without wet methods released sustained fiber clouds in enclosed shops
- Grinding brake shoes: Arcing or grinding new brake linings to fit drums released asbestos fibers directly into the mechanic’s breathing zone
- Clutch replacement: Removing worn clutch discs and cleaning the bell housing released fibers from the worn clutch facing material
- Lathe turning brake drums: Machining drums with asbestos debris inside released additional fibers
OSHA’s current standard (29 CFR 1910.1001 and 1926.1101) requires wet methods or HEPA vacuum systems for brake service to prevent asbestos fiber release. Many mechanics performed brake work for decades before these requirements existed or were enforced.
Auto Mechanic with Asbestos Diagnosis?
Friction product trusts including Honeywell/Bendix and Federal-Mogul have paid billions in claims to mechanics and their families.