Tests were carried out on a brake lining damper intended to dissipate energy between parts of a structure having relative motion during earthquake attack. The device operates by the sliding of a steel plate clamped against a brake lining. Hysteresis loops for the damper showed peaks for the breakaway friction force, when the value of the force was up to twice that obtained for continuous movement. Also values of the coefficient of friction derived from the test were lower than those quoted elsewhere. Further testing is required prior to the use of the method in structures.