53.22. Indicate the methods for determining excessive wear of brake pads only on one side of the vehicle.
UAВкажіть методи визначення надмірного зношення гальмівних колодок тільки з одного боку автомобіля.
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns road safety through the technical serviceability of the braking system. Uneven or excessive wear of brake pads on one side is dangerous because the right and left wheels brake differently: the car may "pull" to one side, the braking distance increases, and extraneous noises and vibrations appear. For the driver, this is not only a matter of comfort, but also a direct risk of losing control in a critical situation.
The theoretical exam tests the driver's understanding of their duties regarding the inspection of the vehicle's technical condition before departure and while driving (Section 2 "Duties and Rights of Drivers", as well as Section 31 "Technical Condition of Vehicles and Their Equipment" of the traffic rules). The logic here is simple: the traffic rules do not limit the driver to a single inspection tool; the main thing is to timely detect a dangerous brake malfunction, which can reduce braking efficiency and lead to a ban on operation.
Each of the proposed methods is suitable for detecting unilateral wear, so the correct choice covers all approaches. "By ear" helps to notice the screech of the wear indicator, uneven noise, or rubbing, which often manifests only on one side; a diagnostic stand provides objective data on the difference in braking forces between the wheels of one axle and helps confirm the problem. A measuring tool (for example, a caliper or special template) allows you to accurately compare the remaining thickness of the pads on the left and right and draw a conclusion without assumptions, so in the context of this exam question, all options are correct.
Clause 2.3 (subclause "b") — 2 "Duties and rights of drivers of motor vehicles"
"To ensure road safety, the driver is obliged to: ... before departure, check and ensure the technical serviceability and completeness of the vehicle, the correct placement and securing of the load; in case of malfunctions on the road, with which, according to clause 31.4 of these Rules, further movement is prohibited, take measures to eliminate them, and if this is impossible — proceed by the shortest route to a parking or repair location, observing safety measures...".
This clause "binds" the driver to the duty of detecting brake malfunctions (including uneven/excessive pad wear that affects braking efficiency) by any available means during pre-departure and on-the-road checks (visually, by indirect signs, by measurement, etc.).
Clause 31.1 — 31 "Technical condition of vehicles and their equipment"
"The technical condition of vehicles and their equipment must comply with the requirements of standards related to road safety, as well as the rules of technical operation and other regulatory and technical documentation."
Excessive/uneven pad wear directly affects the compliance of the braking system with safety requirements, so the question checks the understanding of the need to monitor the technical condition of the brakes.
Clause 31.4 — 31 "Technical condition of vehicles and their equipment"
"Operation of vehicles is prohibited under the law if the following technical malfunctions and conditions are present: ...".
This clause establishes the principle: if there is a malfunction/condition from the list (in particular regarding brakes), operation is prohibited — therefore, the driver must be able to detect it (including by inspection, measurement, analysis of signs while driving).
Clause 31.4.1 — 31 "Technical condition of vehicles and their equipment", 31.4 "...operation is prohibited...", 31.4.1 "Brake systems"
"The efficiency of the service braking system and the parking braking system does not meet the requirements of DSTU 3649-97."
It is precisely the decrease/unevenness of braking efficiency (which is often the result of excessive pad wear on one side or caliper/guide pin seizure) that is checked by the question through a list of practical detection methods (visually, by measurement, by indirect dynamic/thermal signs, by the condition of the disc, etc.).
That is, the correct answer is "All options are suitable.", given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, the driver is obliged to monitor the technical serviceability of the braking system (cl. 2.3 "b", sec. 31) and not to allow operation if there are signs of its dangerous/ineffective operation (cl. 31.4, 31.4.1), and the specific method of detecting such signs is not limited by the Traffic Rules.
Excessive wear of brake pads on only one side of the vehicle is dangerous because the braking forces on the left and right wheels become different. In practice, this manifests as reduced braking efficiency and unstable vehicle behavior. Therefore, the correct logic for the exam is: any reliable method that allows you to detect a difference between the left and right sides or confirm the cause of this difference is a suitable way to identify the problem.
The first and most obvious method is inspection. If you compare the pads on the left and right, you can often notice that on one wheel the friction layer is significantly thinner or worn unevenly. Such a visual check directly indicates a "skew" in wear, meaning the problem is specifically on one side of the vehicle.
The second method is measurement. When in doubt or if the wear is not obvious "by eye," the remaining thickness of the pad can be checked with a measuring tool and the readings compared left and right. If the numbers are noticeably different, this is objective confirmation of excessive wear on one side.
The third approach is assessing the condition of the brake disc. The pad and disc work together, so unnatural grooves, a pronounced "channel," uneven working surface, or a difference in disc condition between the left and right wheels often indicate that on one side the pads were either pressed harder or worked at an angle, which caused accelerated wear.
The fourth method is checking components that may cause one-sided wear, primarily the caliper and its moving parts. If the piston or guides are not working properly and the pad is constantly rubbing against the disc, or conversely is pressed unevenly, wear on that wheel will be faster. In such a case, diagnosing the mechanism provides an answer not only to "what is worn," but also "why it occurred on one side."
The fifth method is signs while driving. When braking, if the vehicle noticeably pulls to the left or right, or there is uneven noise, grinding, or vibration, this often indicates different brake performance on the right and left. Such behavior is a practical signal that one side is braking differently, particularly due to excessive wear or sticking pads.
The sixth method is comparing heat after braking. If one wheel or disc is noticeably hotter, it may mean that the pad on that side is constantly in contact with the disc and wears out faster. Thus, a thermal "skew" is also an indicator of a one-sided problem.
Therefore, the correct answer is "All options are suitable," since excessive wear on one side can be determined by both direct methods (inspection, measurement) and indirect signs (disc condition, caliper operation, vehicle behavior during braking, temperature difference), each of which can detect unevenness between the left and right sides.