Hi, new member here, just found this site. I have been a Toyota Forklift mechanic for the USPS for 17 years so if I can help I will certainly do so, appreciate your feedback on my question.

I have had 3 failures of the rear steering axle in the past year, have had these 7FBEU15's for 7 years and these are new to me, the axles are cracking just below the weld, obvious manufacturing defect but of couse they are out of warranty.
The first replacement part was the original Trunnion, same type of construction, But the second replacement I just opened up is a complete cast, no welding of the kind like the originals.
I am waiting on the 3rd Trunnion to arrive, but betting it will be the newer type, appears Toyota has found the defect and corrected it.
We are in the process of awarding a contract to Xray the remaining 10 model 7's and see if there are any castastrophic failures in the near future.
I was just curious to know if this is a industry wide failure and I have just started to see it or if my operators are just abusive which they are.

Appreciate any feedback, Keith