Pitman Arm - What is the Proper Inspection Procedure?

An inspection was performed by CVSA inspector using the following format. This is a cut and paste in the inspectors own words. This same truck was inspected on February 22, 2014 by a team of 3 mechanics, two drivers and a safety consultant with 40 years’ experience and this pitman arm was not loose. The mechanic that repaired the item once the vehicle was placed out of service has also issued a statement stating the pitman arm was not loose. Inspectors quote "I typically have them rock the steering wheel prior to putting Windex or soapy water on the Pitman Arm. If I feel that there is any question, I then put the Windex or soapy water on the Pitman Arm to verify. What I normally do is put the Windex or soapy water on and let it sit for a while so the bubbles go down. I don't immediately have them rock the wheel due to the bubbles that occur upon spraying. Once it is smooth and no bubbles, I then have them rock the wheel and look at the joint. If the water squishes out via bubbles or otherwise, it is not moving as one unit and is loose. Sometimes there is grease on the pitman arms that will do the same thing and then I don't use the water. In this case, it looked like it may have been loose and I put the Windex on it to see if it would bubble out from the splines. It did. I showed the driver and he saw that it did. This Pitman Arm was indeed loose. It was not as loose as some I have seen but it was not moving as one unit between the steering gear output shaft and the Pitman Arm. I inspect a great deal of off road vehicles (dump trucks, ready-mix trucks, log trucks, etc.) so I see quite a few loose pitman arms. I am very careful not to put them out unless they are indeed not moving as a single unit. If I feel that there may be a problem but I can't see movement, I ask the driver to let their mechanic know to look at it."

I want this inspector to quite using unimproved methods of inspecting the pitman arm and stick to the book. I will bet this individual has a large number of violations in this category. The correct procedure With the engine off – When inspecting the steering system (on both sides of the vehicle), the inspector should: • Instruct the driver to rock the steering wheel back and forth while the weight of the vehicle remains on the tires. While he is rocking the steering wheel, the inspector should visually inspect key components for looseness, missing fasteners, and unacceptable clearances. (If possible, the inspector should have the driver open the hood so the steering components may be viewed more easily.) • Check for loose, worn, bent, damaged, or missing parts (e.g., belts). • Check the steering gear box for looseness and for missing or loose bolts. • Check for any movement of the pitman arm on the steering gear box output shaft. • Check for loose stud bolts and loose nuts. • Check for any welded repairs to any steering components. • Check ball socket joint for movement.

I want the inspector in this case to cease using the Windex to inspects these parts and stick to the criteria so he will quit writing up trucks needlessly and costing carriers money and CSA scores.