[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 6]
[Revised as of October 1, 2006]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR570.59]

[Page 201-202]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
                   CHAPTER V--NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC
                    SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT
                            OF TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 570_VEHICLE IN USE INSPECTION STANDARDS--Table of Contents
 
         Subpart B_Vehicles With GVWR of More Than 10,000 Pounds
 
Sec.  570.59  Service brake system.

    (a) Service brake performance. Compliance with any one of the 
following performance criteria will satisfy the requirements of this 
section. Verify that tire inflation pressure is within the limits 
recommended by the vehicle manufacturer before conducting either of the 
following tests.
    (1) Roller-type or drive-on platform tests. The force applied by the 
brake on a front wheel or a rear wheel shall not differ by more than 25 
percent from the force applied by the brake on the other front wheel or 
the other rear wheel respectively.
    (i) Inspection procedure. The vehicle shall be tested on a drive-on 
platform, or a roller-type brake analyzer with the capability of 
measuring equalization. The test shall be conducted in accordance with 
the test equipment manufacturer's specifications. Note the brake force 
variance.
    (2) Road test. The service brake system shall stop single unit 
vehicles, except truck-tractors, in a distance of not more than 35 feet, 
or combination vehicles and truck-tractors in a distance of not more 
than 40 feet, from a

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speed of 20 mph, without leaving a 12-foot-wide lane.
    (i) Inspection procedure. The road test shall be conducted on a 
level (not to exceed plus or minus 1 percent grade), dry, smooth, hard-
surfaced road that is free from loose material, oil or grease. The 
service brakes shall be applied at a vehicle speed of 20 mph and the 
vehicle shall be brought to a stop as specified. Measure the distance 
required to stop.

    Note: Inspect for paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) of this section on 
vehicles equipped with brake inspection ports or access openings, and 
when removal of wheel is not required.

    (b) Disc and drum condition. If the drum is embossed with a maximum 
safe diameter dimension or the rotor is embossed with a minimum safe 
thickness dimension, the drum or disc shall be within the appropriate 
specifications. These dimensions will generally be found on motor 
vehicles manufactured since January 1, 1971, and may be found on 
vehicles manufactured for several years prior to that time. If the drums 
and discs are not embossed, they shall be within the manufacturer's 
specifications.
    (1) Inspection procedure. Examine visually for the condition 
indicated, measuring as necessary.
    (c) Friction materials. On each brake, the thickness of the lining 
or pad shall not be less than one thirty-second of an inch over the 
fastener, or one-sixteenth of an inch over the brake shoe on bonded 
linings or pads. Brake linings and pads shall not have cracks or breaks 
that extend to rivet holes except minor cracks that do not impair 
attachment. The wire in wire-backed lining shall not be visible on the 
friction surface. Drum brake linings shall be securely attached to brake 
shoes. Disc brake pads shall be securely attached to shoe plates.
    (1) Inspection procedure. Examine visually for the conditions 
indicated, and measure the height of the rubbing surface of the lining 
over the fastener heads. Measure bonded lining thickness over the 
surface at the thinnest point on the lining or pad.
    (d) Structural and mechanical parts. Backing plates, brake spiders 
and caliper assemblies shall not be deformed or cracked. System parts 
shall not be broken, misaligned, missing, binding, or show evidence of 
severe wear. Automatic adjusters and other parts shall be assembled and 
installed correctly.
    (1) Inspection procedure. Examine visually for conditions indicated.