Overview
Auto mechanics faced significant asbestos exposure from brake pads, clutch plates, and gaskets used in automotive repair. While individual exposures were lower than in heavy industry, mechanics who performed brake and clutch work daily accumulated substantial lifetime exposure.
Asbestos was used in vehicle brake and clutch systems for decades. Every mechanic who performed brake work before the 2000s likely had some asbestos exposure.
Asbestos in Automotive Parts
| Part | Asbestos Content | Exposure Level |
|---|---|---|
| Brake pads | 40-60% | High |
| Brake shoes | 40-60% | High |
| Clutch facings | 30-50% | High |
| Transmission parts | Variable | Moderate |
| Gaskets | 10-40% | Moderate |
| Hood liners | Variable | Low |
How Auto Mechanics Were Exposed
Brake Work
Brake repair was the primary source of asbestos exposure:
- Removing brake drums released accumulated asbestos dust
- Compressed air cleaning created airborne fiber clouds
- Handling worn brake pads and shoes
- Grinding or beveling new brake pads
Clutch Work
Clutch replacement involved:
- Removing worn clutch plates
- Cleaning clutch housings
- Installing new asbestos clutch facings
OSHA eventually banned the use of compressed air for cleaning brake assemblies because it created dangerous asbestos fiber clouds. However, this practice was common for decades.
Types of Automotive Work
Mechanics hit exposure across independent repair shops doing general service, dealership service departments for Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors, fleet maintenance on trucks, buses, and company vehicles, heavy-equipment repair on construction and farm machinery, and automotive manufacturing assembly lines. Between 1940 and 1980, brake technicians in Michigan, Ohio, and California working with Bendix and Raybestos friction material faced the heaviest exposures.
Related Occupations
Other workers with automotive asbestos exposure:
- Maintenance workers, Fleet vehicles
- Laborers, Cleanup and disposal
- DIY mechanics, Home brake repairs
Aftermarket Parts
Some aftermarket brake pads and clutch facings imported from overseas may still contain asbestos. Mechanics should verify parts are asbestos-free before installation.
Health Risks
Auto mechanics with brake-dust exposure face elevated risk of mesothelioma, a cancer of the chest or abdominal lining; asbestosis, a progressive scarring of the lungs; lung cancer, with risk multiplied among smokers; and pleural plaques, calcified scarring on the lung lining.
Legal Options
Auto mechanics diagnosed with mesothelioma typically pursue several tracks in parallel. Brake and clutch manufacturers established asbestos trust funds through bankruptcy reorganization, including the Bendix (Honeywell) and Raybestos trusts plus gasket-manufacturer trusts. Trust claims often run alongside product-liability suits against solvent brake-pad manufacturers, premises-liability claims against shop owners, and workers’ compensation through a former employer. A trial lawyer can help identify compensation sources based on specific work history and product exposure.