# NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA88006
> **STEERING OUTPUT SHAFT** · Opened 1987-11-03 · Closed 1988-04-01
## Investigation
- **Action number:** EA88006
- **Type:** Engineering Analysis
- **Open date:** 1987-11-03
- **Close date:** 1988-04-01
- **Manufacturer:** Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
- **Affected makes:** DODGE
- **Affected components:** STEERING
- **Affected model years:** 1982, 1983, 1984
- **Affected (make, year) variants:** 3
## Summary

SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:BOTH CHRYSLER AND MITSUBISHIINDEPENDENTLY CONCLUDED THAT THE FAILURES WERE DUE TO SEVERE IMPACT LOADINGTRANSMITTED TO THE SHAFT BY THE STEERING LINKAGE SYSTEM -- IN OTHER WORDSSHAFT FAILURE IS THE RESULT, NOT THE CAUSE, OF THE ALLEGED COLLISIONCIRCUMSTANCES.MITSUBISHI (VEHICLE PRODUCER) DID STRENGTHEN THE SHAFTDURING THE 1984 MODEL YEAR BY INCREASING THE SPLINE AND BEARING JOURNALDIAMETERS.ANALYSIS:FAILING COMPONENT IS THE STEERING BOX CROSS SHAFT (OUTPUT SHAFT)WHICH BREAKS BETWEEN THE BOTTOM BEARING IN THE STEERING BOX AND THE PITMANARM.KNOWN FAILURES INVOLVE 4 WHEEL DRIVE UNITS WHICH ARE EQUIPPED WITHPOWER STEERING.CROSS SHAFT AND PITMAN ARM SALES ARE CONSIDERABLY HIGHERON THE 4 WD UNITS THAN THE 2 WD UNITS.CHRYSLER REPORTS THE CROSS SHAFTDIAMETER WAS INCREASED IN APRIL, 1984, FOR INCREASED SHAFT STRENGTH TOIMPROVE ITS CAPABILITY TO WITHSTAND SEVERE IMPACT LOADS.PROPOSED ACTION:IR'S TO CHRYSLER AND MITSUBISHI SENT 11/16 - 17/87.AWAITING RESPONSES.===

## Source
- [NHTSA ODI investigation page](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchResults?searchType=ID&targetCategory=I&searchCriteria.nhtsa_ids=EA88006)
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