Brakes, clutches and asbestos...

[the surfer]

Does anyone know when asbestos was banned from use in road-use brakes and clutches?

I am contemplating changing the brakes on my '91 Golf and would like to know what, if any, precautions I should take.

Most people just say that asbestos hasn't been used for years... but when exactly?

Thanks.

[the surfer]

153 views but no replies... surely someone knows?

[MalcQV]

Don't know exactly though I think from around the mid 90's.

[the surfer]

Don't know exactly though I think from around the mid 90's.

Thanks for the reply.

As late as that!? I thought it was the late 80s generally, although it seemed to vary with different manufacturers. It wasn't used in buildings in the UK from 1985 onwards and I didn't think the auto industry would be too far behind. I know Saab and Volvo stopped using asbestos in the early 1980s, but am unsure about VW/Audi.

There is no ominous sticker in the engine bay warning of its presence, as there was on a lot of pre-1990s cars. Also nothing in the handbook. I guess this doesn't necessarily mean a lot though.

I'm sure the front pads have been changed at least a few times over the car's 130k miles, and by the look of them within the last 5 years. Not sure about the rear drums though as they seem to go on forever and could possibly still be on the original factory shoes! If they are made from asbestos I don't fancy cleaning out 20 years of brake dust from the drums!

[Hex69]

What I would say, that Asbestos or no-Asbestos, when changing the brakes act as if there is Asbestos in the pads/shoes. You don't want to be breathing in any brake dust, so wear a mask, do it in a well ventilated area, don't use high pressure air hoses to blast out dust, and use common sense, and you'll not go far wrong.

[the surfer]

What I would say, that Asbestos or no-Asbestos, when changing the brakes act as if there is Asbestos in the pads/shoes. You don't want to be breathing in any brake dust, so wear a mask, do it in a well ventilated area, don't use high pressure air hoses to blast out dust, and use common sense, and you'll not go far wrong.

Thanks.

I generally leave the mechanical maintenance to the experts but I thought I might give this job a go myself, with the assistance of a Haynes manual.

If I do go ahead and do it I will use the brake/clutch cleaner spray that is available, which should almost eliminate any dust. Plus I would wear a mask, gloves, etc.

I was more concerned about disposal etc of the old bits. Plus the dogs like to go sniffing around on the driveway and in the garage! Wouldn't want them to breathe in anything nasty!

[Hex69]

Sounds like you have your head screwed on anyway. :o
As for disposal, your local council should have facilities for disposal of these sort of things.

I've seen unscrupulous people bag them up and put them in their normal household waste, but I'd never condone that. :p