How should a vehicle's brake drums and discs be inspected?

To properly inspect a vehicle's brake drums and discs, it is essential to remove at least one wheel and drum. This allows for a thorough evaluation of the brake components, providing access to the inner workings which are not visible from the outside. Visual inspections alone from the outside may not reveal issues such as uneven wear, cracks, or buildup of debris that could adversely affect braking performance.

Removing components like the wheel and drum helps in assessing the condition of the brake shoes or pads, ensuring that they are within their service limits, and checking for any signs of damage or wear that might not be evident without closer inspection. Additionally, this process allows for checking the surface condition of the braking surfaces of both the drum and the disc, ensuring that they are smooth and functioning correctly.

The other options suggest methods that do not ensure comprehensive and reliable inspection. For instance, performing an inspection only visually from outside the wheel lacks the depth required to identify potential braking issues. Reliance on computerized tests without mechanical inspection can lead to missing critical mechanical faults that may not be indicated by electronic diagnostics. Finally, inspecting without removing any components doesn’t allow access to critical areas necessary for a complete assessment of the braking system's functionality.