globy123

Hello. Why do upper front control arms have cotter pins in the ball joint stud in 99 Honda civic lx? Since the ball joint is tighten with a screw, is it necessary to insert the cotter pin in the ball joint stud after tightening the ball joint screw?

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

Yes. It's not extra.

doublezerohatch

dude the cotter pin stops the nut from loosening off with vibration . . . I personally (on my own cars) don't put them back (im in there couple times a month and visually inspect it. and other components, grease my ball joints, lube my brakes) but for the sake of it. . . put the cotter pins back they wouldn't be there if they didn't serve a purpose.

Ci-v-iC

Parts subject to constant vibration and how heat/cold effects metal ( shrink in cold-expand in heat)...for safety reason are secured by cotter pin (imagine a wheel ripping off at any speed not to mention high).

If you think upper is less important 'cause lower holds things together...think again...it's a chain reaction...in a nut shell w/less grumble

10psiLsEf2

Theyre intended to stop the nut from backing off the stud in case they become loose.

10psiLsEf2

If you dont have any you can use a coat hanger and cut it. Or a metal object that will fit in there and wont fall out.