What was found
PART BECAME SUSPECT WHEN DAMPENER FLUID WAS NOTICED DRIPPING OFF END OF SHAFT. DURING THE CLEANING/INSP. COMPRESSED AIR WAS INTRODUCED TO SHAFT'S OPEN END. AIR BUBBLES WERE OBSERVED AT BASE OF PISTON. FOUND CRACK ON DAMPENER SHAFT AT BASE OF PISTON. CRACK IS NOTICEABLE 360 DEGREES AROUND SHAFT EVEN THOUGH SHAFT IS STILL INTACT. LOSS OF FLUID MAY HAVE EXAGGERATED VIBRATIONS CAUSING SHAFT TO FATIGUE OR MFG HEAT TREATING PROCESSES SINCE SHAFT IS NOT BROKEN COMPLETELY THROUGH. INSPECT IMMEDIATELY IF FLUID IS SEEN DRIPPING FROM THE END OF THE SHAFT. OR, REMOVE AND DYE PENETRANT INSPECT SHIMMY DAMPENER SHAFT AT NEXT 25/50 HOUR MAINTENANCE INTERVAL.