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check your cotter pins!


dubois

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to follow up on my story about almost loosing a rear wheel the other day, I found out the most likely cause: the wrong cotter pin was used by the PO (or his mechanic) at least 8 years ago. It seems that the cotter pin was too small for the diameter hole, when the nut retaining the rear stub axle became loose, the cotter pin failed due to high cycle fatigue, that is the back and forth bending finally sheared the cotter pin.

I replaced both sides with the correct size and drove the car. It seems that the nut had been loose for at least a couple years! The reason I know is that I had noticed the steering being a bit twitchy (not smooth) and attributed to a worn out steering box. This was about the time I changed from 13 to 15. I was planning to replace it eventually. On fathers day I took a QS drive and really noticed it something off. Upon inspection, I found the left rear wheel about 1 inch out!

After fixing the problem the car drives and steers smooth, turns are predictable, and yes fun!

Morale of the story: check your nuts guys and your pins too!

FAQ Member # 91

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Guest Anonymous

long time ago.. after getting my car aligned.. they forgot to put the cotterpins in on the front tie rods.. and the castle nut was loose.. I haven't been back since

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michael, was the stub axle and or hub trashed or were you able to reuse them?

I was able to use them, everything was in good shape, I was very lucky. I think the cotter pin broke on QS but the nut had been loose from some time. To think that I had this car over 100mph... my planets have been aligned from some time.

No, I couldn't hear a problem, my car is noisy (like every other 2002), but I felt things right away. A couple driving schools teach you to sense what is going on each tire, probably the best money spent in restrospect....

FAQ Member # 91

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The cotter pin's like an idiot light-

if you need it, things are already bad.

I look at them regularly as an assurance that the back end's not going

to pass me in a corner, but in addition, before every race or track day I

put the 36mm socket on and give a little tug. Just for reassurance.

I guess a smaller- than- the- hole one wouldn't be good...

but you really shouldn't ever need it.

It wasn't what caused the nut to come loose...

t

"I learn best through painful, expensive experience, so I feel like I've gotten my money's worth." MattL

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I have to agree with Toby here. The cotter is just there in case the nut starts to come loose- not to keep it tight. I'd give it a check every once and a while just to be sure.

make that 3, I agree too, the nut is more important than the pins,,,

FAQ Member # 91

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