In this video, attorney Joseph T. Kremer discusses asbestos exposure risks in the automotive repair industry, particularly related to brake and clutch repairs. You’ll learn how mechanics and others working around vehicles were exposed to asbestos dust through common repair procedures. Joe also explains potential health impacts, including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma, and outlines the legal options available

Hello, my name is Joe Kremer. I’m an attorney and a partner at Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford. Today, I want to speak to you about asbestos exposure in the automotive repair industry. This includes individuals who work on their own cars, professional mechanics, and even those who may not handle repairs directly but work in the same environment, such as parts managers or runners who spend time in the repair bay.

When we discuss asbestos exposure in this context, we’re primarily referring to “friction products”—specifically the linings found in brake shoes and clutch discs used in manual transmissions. These components were historically made with asbestos because of its heat-resistant properties.

Let’s take brakes as an example. If you’ve ever been told during a vehicle inspection that you need new brakes, particularly on a car with drum brakes, the brake shoe being replaced often contains a layer of friction material—typically a quarter- to a half-inch thick—that was composed of asbestos. This same principle applies to larger commercial vehicles, such as tractor-trailers, which use larger brake shoes and thus contain even more asbestos.

Exposure varied depending on the time period and repair methods used. In earlier years, the metal brake shoe was reused, and only the worn friction lining was replaced. Mechanics would drill out the rivets to remove the old lining and then attach and grind down a new asbestos lining to fit. This process released asbestos dust into the air.

Typically, the repair process involves removing the wheel and then the brake drum. When the drum came off, accumulated dust, much of it containing asbestos, was often present inside. Mechanics frequently used compressed air to clean the area, creating a cloud of airborne dust. In addition, new brake shoes often had a glossy surface known as a glaze. To remove this, mechanics used emery cloth or sandpaper, again generating asbestos dust in the breathing zone.

Before the 1980s, the edges of the brake linings came squared from the manufacturer. To prevent the brake shoe from catching on the drum, mechanics would file or grind the edges into a beveled angle—yet another step that released asbestos fibers. After completing the repair, the area was usually cleaned using brooms, brushes, or compressed air, contributing to further airborne exposure.

The same hazards were present when working with clutch assemblies in vehicles with manual transmissions. These systems used a component called a clutch disc, which also contained asbestos linings. As the clutch wore down, asbestos dust would accumulate inside the metal bell housing. When the housing was disassembled to replace the clutch, mechanics often used compressed air to clean out the residual dust. They would also sand the clutch disc, releasing additional asbestos fibers.

This is, in summary, how asbestos exposure occurs during brake and clutch repairs.

We hope you’re watching this video strictly for educational purposes and that neither you nor a loved one has been affected. Unfortunately, many individuals have gone on to develop asbestos-related diseases, such as asbestosis, lung cancer, or mesothelioma, due to these exposures.

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with an asbestos disease and would like to understand your legal rights, we are here to help. We offer free consultations and would gladly meet with you at your home.

Thank you, and take care.

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Since 1995, the attorneys at Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford, LLC have been helping clients in Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse, NY, who have been injured due to asbestos exposure. Through our tireless efforts, we have helped to shape and reform asbestos laws throughout the state of New York. We have a full team of lawyers devoted to representing people exposed to asbestos.

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer, please contact us today and we will schedule an appointment to come to your home and meet with you and your family to explain your legal rights.