OOSC, Partie II, Article 4. Transmission/Arbre de transmission, b. - Boulon de retenue manquant ou desserré

The picture under universal joint in the OOSC identifies the retainer bolt but it is not included in the description of an OOS violation. Several members of the Vehicle Committee, that were associated with the creation of the driveline/driveshaft section, thought that retainer bolt was already in the description. It was determined that it was an oversight since the picture already identifies the retainer bolt and the intent was to have a missing, broken, or loose retainer bolt as an OOS violation.

A further discussion was regarding the “with hand pressure only” and whether it should also be removed from subparagraph 3. It was stated that the retainer bolt and the bearing cap bolt are both installed with thread locking material. This can, and has, resulted in these fasteners being loose showing a portion of the threads, while the inspector cannot physically turn the fastener with hand pressure. Several pictures were shown of this condition where nuts are significantly backed off, but the nut cannot be turned. Under the current wording, these loose fasteners would not meet the OOSC. Discussion took place around what “loose” standard should be used. Committee members decided, for uniformity purposes, that this condition should be treated as any other fastener in the OOSC criteria (i.e.: Wheel fasteners, U-bolts, fifth wheel fasteners, etc.), and should not be based on hand pressure. The Vehicle Committee unanimously approved to add “or retainer bolt” and remove “with hand pressure only” from subparagraph 3. b. Universal Joint (3) Any missing, broken, or loose universal joint bearing cap bolt or retainer bolt.