Re: 1956 Senior Front Brake Shoes

Posted by 55PackardGuy On 2011/4/3 17:45:57

As most everyone here knows, "asbestos" brake linings contain some asbestos, but no way could asbestos be a major structural material in a brake shoe lining. Old brakes used some asbestos mixed in the composite material. Now, the composite has got other stuff like metal and who knows what all... probably not great to ingest, either.

I have no quarrel with getting asbestos away from us. I think it's harmful stuff. But it still strikes me as strange that I've never heard of asbestosis being a problem for older auto mechanics, many of whom handled asbestos brake linings for decades. The most dangerous part of the process must have been scuffing the ends of the linings. Done on a bench grinder, the wire brush wheel created clouds of dust aimed right at the operator's face. Practically nobody wore masks back then, or even goggles most of the time. Foolhardy, but speed was of the essence and "all that stuff took time."

As far as simply removing an old asbestos-containing lining from a shoe so you can replace it, I personally would not hesitate to do it myself. Gloves, a good disposable mask, maybe wet the material down first,. Do the work inside a heavy plastic bag, so all debris lands inside, close the bag leaving the gloves and mask inside, and take it down to your hazardous waste disposal site. Done deal.

Fred Kanter probably has experience with a process that they use to clean up old shoes, and could shed some firsthand knowledge on how it's done in quantity.