well i put all new ball joints on my 90 hatch and when i put the drivers side lower ball joint in and just hand tightened the nut the hole for the cotter pin is way below the openings in the castle nut is that because the hole in which the lower ball joint goes in is wider than it should be and allows the bolt to go down further? also when i was putting the little strut holder on to the lower arm the metal bushing that the bolt goes through slides in and out or the rubber in which it is in?

i will post pictures if the explanation i gave is illegible

 

probably a good idea to post pics, or even just separate both the things into two separate topics.

 

alright i will get pictures tomarrow if i can and hopfully that will clear it up