IV. Background

The steering shaft system of the subject vehicles consists of a steering intermediate shaft assembly, steering sliding yoke sub assembly, and steering intermediate extension shaft assembly. Due to insufficient hardness of the extension shaft supplied by a specific supplier, the splines which connect the extension shaft to the steering gear box may deform if the steering wheel is frequently and forcefully turned to the full-lock position while driving at a slow speed. This may create an increased backlash, and splines may eventually wear out over time, which could result in loss of steering ability.