62 New front suspension and split pins don't reach

Hadderz

Hadderz

Active Member
Last seen
Joined
Jan 29, 2018
Thunderbird Year
1962
Hi may sound strange but brought a full suspension rebuild kit from one of the major TBIRD parts houses. Noted that the ball joints, track rod ends and steering link joints the hole for the split pin is way too high so the split pin, would not sit into the castle nut. So not going to do its job! Didn't want to attempt to re-drill this for obvious reasons but what have you chaps done as I can only think of packing washers - is that a good idea???
Any advise as presume this must be common on these new parts???
Thanks Andy
 
Are you talking about the “cotter pins”?
And the problem is that the “slots” of the castle nuts do not align with the hole in the end of the Ball Jount Shaft?
This is not a big deal, because the “soft” cotter pin is there to keep the castle nut from loosening and falling off. It will still keep it from falling off even if they are not “aligned”. Just make sure you properly torque the nuts, and they should stay tight. If you want, although it’s not recommended, you can install/stack a few hardened/Grade 8 washers under the nut to bring the slots and holes into alignment. Again, proper Torque is the key here.
 
Are you talking about the “cotter pins”?
And the problem is that the “slots” of the castle nuts do not align with the hole in the end of the Ball Jount Shaft?
This is not a big deal, because the “soft” cotter pin is there to keep the castle nut from loosening and falling off. It will still keep it from falling off even if they are not “aligned”. Just make sure you properly torque the nuts, and they should stay tight. If you want, although it’s not recommended, you can install/stack a few hardened/Grade 8 washers under the nut to bring the slots and holes into alignment. Again, proper Torque is the key here.
Yes the cotter pins. Thanks
 
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