ball joint nuts and cotter pins ?

[Craig O.]

I have found two different castle nuts on the upper and lower ball joints that attach to the spindel. the configuration of the slots on one has a square design and on another a round design, which, or both can be original . from an age or condition the round ones look older. also the AIM
page G -145 shows the installation of the cotter pins being bent in an upward position, is this for both legs of the pin, the diagram is vague.

[John H.]

Re: ball joint nuts and cotter pins ?

also the AIM
page G -145 shows the installation of the cotter pins being bent in an upward position, is this for both legs of the pin, the diagram is vague.

Craig -

As indicated in View "A", the cotter pins were to be bent that way in order to clear the caster-camber gage tool used on the Frame Line; it registered on the unthreaded extended shank portion of the ball stud.

[Joe L.]

Re: ball joint nuts and cotter pins ?

I have found two different castle nuts on the upper and lower ball joints that attach to the spindel. the configuration of the slots on one has a square design and on another a round design, which, or both can be original . from an age or condition the round ones look older. also the AIM
page G -145 shows the installation of the cotter pins being bent in an upward position, is this for both legs of the pin, the diagram is vague.

Craig-----


Castle nuts were never used on 63-82 Corvettes at any location; SLOTTED nuts were used, though. There is a difference in configuration between castle nuts and slotted nuts although the terms are often incorrectly used interchangeably.

Most, if not all, of the SLOTTED nuts used on Corvettes at any location where a slotted nut was used had a rounded configuration at the base of the slots. Most, but not all, were of NATURAL finish. The original upper and lower ball joint slotted nuts used for your car were of the natural finish variety.

[Ridge K.]

Re: ball joint nuts and cotter pins ?

I have found two different castle nuts on the upper and lower ball joints that attach to the spindel. the configuration of the slots on one has a square design and on another a round design, which, or both can be original . from an age or condition the round ones look older. also the AIM
page G -145 shows the installation of the cotter pins being bent in an upward position, is this for both legs of the pin, the diagram is vague.

Craig, I thought a picture of a NOS A-frame (GM #3849394 1963-1977 in my old GM parts books) with a GM installed ball joint might be helpful to you.
I purchased this part (along with the three other A-frames) from the estate of a C2 Corvette owner. His family believes he purchased these parts in the early 1970s. The nut and cotter pin are still as the General put them together. As Joe stated, the nut is natural steel.
Hope this is helpful. Ridge

[Craig O.]

Re: ball joint nuts and cotter pins ?

Yes, thanks all