Guys: MY -9A is two years old and 320 hours TTSN. Today I was cleaning the bugs off and rubbing on the right step when I noticed a crack in the paint on the forward and aft edges next to the mounting plates, where the vertical leg is welded to the mounting plate. Upon further inspection, I found the crack extended from the front radius inboard to the aft radius just outside the weldment. I checked the left step and it is also cracked but only about 3/8" in the middle inboard just outside the weldment. I use the left step every day, flying or mx and the right step is hardly ever used except for my 120# wife. They both seemed to have failed in compression and I have no clue why. Both steps are painted not plated. I wonder if this is a fatigue crack caused by propellar resonnance? What do you guys think? Anyone else experienced this cracking of the step in this particular area? Dan.