Asbestos?

I am about to put a new clutch in my brother's '92 B13 Nissan Sentra. Car has a ridiculous amount of miles on it and the clutch slips real bad, I don't know that it has ever been changed. I have "Nissan B13 and N14" service manuals, which cover this car. In the manual, it has a warning which states: "ASBESTOS SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS (Based on United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland regulations) This vehicle uses parts containing asbestos. Most are not hazardous but Brake and Clutch linings can be. Work in a well-ventilated place using, where possible, appropriate dust extraction equipment and avoid creating dust. Dampen all dust where possible."

The way I'm reading this, it only applies to cars in the UK and Ireland. This car was built in Smyrna, TN. Surely, a car built in 1992 in the U.S. would not have any parts containing asbestos? Thoughts? I just want to make sure before I go tearing into this thing.

 

funny thing, i have to stay in a hotel right now cuz theyre extracting asbestos tiles from my house............. way i see it, dont worry about it. Ive lived in that house for 10 years and my lungs are fine, well minus the smoking, but still, if 10 years didnt do anything Im sure an hour or 2 wont do any damage (if it has asbestos at all that is).

 

yea but the tiles in your house are solid. theyre not in particle form that could be easily kicked up. thats why you need to be out of the house when they rip it all apart and kick it up.

just to be on the safe side jamie i'd throw on some googles, a surgical mask and some old clothes. when your done throw it all in the garbage and take a shower.

 

no, quite a bit were broken. only reason we found out was cuz the carpet got flooded and they did they test, or else we never woulda known (we rent), but the mask and all that aint a bad idea, better safe than sorry

 

Jamie, most brake and clutch linings have asbestos in them. You should always wear a breathing mask of some sort and avoid contact with the materials. Use gloves on at least the old stuff your removing. I use brake cleaner to wash the surfaces and catch it in a pan. Hold your breath and turn away...don't forget the goggles.

 

Years ago they did. I'm pretty sure they don't make brake pads with asbestos anymore. At least, the last several sets I've bought say on the box they are "organic" and don't contain asbestos. I usually hose off the brakes before doing a brake job anyway, just to get rid of most of the dust and crap.

 

just don't breath it in, like what everybody else says

 

i agree...do this for about an hour before, an another hour after...after that we should be fine...

...better to be safe than sorry...

...JFF...

 

Damn. It's a rare moment when I am at a loss for a come back.

 

True that they stoped using asbestos. But I still treat them like they do cause they got something i'm sure.

 

IMO the stuff they use now aint much better. I've cleaned that stuff outta my ears,nose, etc and it's nasty. They use fiberGlass, Metal,walnut shells, zinc, copper, brass,Resins,there is about 30 components to an average Barke pad composition etc.....Don't breath it in. It's just as evil as asbestos.

 

That's not a very polite thing for a dad to say to his son.

 

Asbestos damage takes about twenty years to show up. It causes a specific kind of cancer called Mesothelioma and many people get it from being around people who have worked with asbestos. If you have a true Hepa filter on a vacuum you can use it to clean the dust away or spray it down with brake parts cleaner or water. That will minimize your exposure. If not then get a set of "safety overalls" (made of Tyvek) and a good double filter respirator and goggles that seal around your eyes. Then dispose of the coveralls and filters and wash the goggles in warm soapy water. A good shower is also a good preventive measure.
If you are super-human or don't think it will affect you then ignore it and wate twenty years..... Oh, there is no effective treatment for Mesothelioma acknowledged by the AMA at this time. You might want to have a will and burial plot paid for in advance.

 

What Paul said. I used to give safety classes. Asbestos is usually not a problem until it is disturbed. And 10 years is not long enought to determine wether there were any problems from it.

 

The most important thing you can do is to wear a PROPERLY FITTED respirator with Hepa cartridges. Only a Hepa cartridge will filter Asbestos particles.

If you do use a vacuum you must have a Hepa filter on it otherwise you will just be blowing the fibers all around.

Keeping the Asbestos wet is KEY.

dont underestimate the hazards of Asbestos.

Good luck