OOSC, Part II, Item 4. Driveline/Driveshaft - Retainer Clip Not in Proper Position as OOS

07/07/2015 I conducted an inspection on a 2003 International 4000 series truck. During the inspection I found on the #2 U-joint a bearing cup retainer clip was not seated in the groove. The clip was partially engage in the groove but the other half was not. The U-joint had recently been replaced on 06/01/2015. This type of U-joint is press fit into the yolk and then an outside retainer clip is placed behind the bearing cup in a groove in the yolk to ensure the bearing cup remains in the yolk.

The current 2015 CVSA out of service criteria does not address these type of U-joints and their retainers. It does address the bearing cap cover plates and the bolts that secure them, however, not this type. The heavy duty U-joints in most of the larger commercial vehicles have various types of retainers in a yolk. Some press the bearing cup into the yolk and some are slid into the yolk. They all are then secured on the outside by a bearing cup plate with bolts to ensure the bearing cup stays in the yolk assembly. Since heavy commercial vehicles use slip in bearing cups and press fit, I feel they aren't very different than the lighter commercial vehicles. The retainer clips are there to prevent the bearing cup from exiting the yolk due to wearing and centrifugal force with driveshaft rotation.

I am requesting a review of the CVSA out of service criteria regarding the lighter commercial vehicles drivelines to include the retainer clip not in proper position to be an out of service violation. I attempted to attach photos for your viewing, however, it would not work. I will email the pictures to the email address provided.