
Cotter pin sizes differ, so do their uses. Though not considered necessary for installation, but are necessary depending on the application. A motorcycle’s front wheel is usually held together by a castle nut and a cotter pin
Split pin
A split pin, also known in the United States as a cotter pin or cotter key, is a metal fastener with two tines that are bent during installation, similar to a staple or rivet. Typically made of thick wire with a half-circular cross section, split pins come in multiple sizes and types.
What are cotter pins used for?
Cotter pin is a fastener used for locking the nuts onto the bolts. You have to drill a small hole into the bolt to use it. Cotter pins are commonly used in Clevis pins, as it has a premade hole in it. Difference Between Cotter Pins and Split Pins
How do you use a cotter pin on a bolt?
You can use this pin by creating small holes in the bolts or other fasteners. Clevis pins, a different type of fastener, are commonly used with cotter pins because they have already made holes in them. Cotter pins are used for many applications, including locking nuts into place and getting rid of steering noise.
What is the difference between Cotter Pins and split pins?
Cotter pins are made of mild steel and are used for locking nuts at the place. They are inserted into the hole of the bolt and are then bent into different shapes to prevent the nut from falling out. Whereas Split pins are made up of harder grade steel.
Can You reuse cotter pins?
Cotter pins can be made from several different materials that are soft enough to bend. Typically, when deforming the pin once, the pins keep their strength and provide a strong locking mechanism that can be relied on. As a general rule, cotter pins should not be reused as the extra bending weakens the pin.

What can I use if I dont have a cotter pin?
Instead of cotter pins, you can also try ring pins, as these have no sharp edges, but they tend to work their way out of the hole and fall off, thus making them an undesirable choice. The next option is to use seizing wire and wrap the turnbuckle to the screw hole.
What is the purpose of the cotter pin?
Cotter pins are wire formed pins with two prongs that separate during installation. They are used as a locking device to hold pins or castle nuts in place. These low-cost and highly versatile fasteners are used virtually everywhere.
Should cotter pins be installed in ball joints?
0:071:10Installing Castle Nuts on Ball Joints and Tie Rods - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipCome with Castle ated nuts and cotter pins and you're instructed to achieve the proper torque on theMoreCome with Castle ated nuts and cotter pins and you're instructed to achieve the proper torque on the fastener. And then insert the pin and bend it over if the castle nut blocks the hole.
Does a tie rod need a cotter pin?
I bought the tie rod ends through Moss and they're nice and tight, but there's no castellated nut, cotter pin, or hole in the stud....Tie rod ends, no cotter pin.Tie rod ends, no cotter pin #1Discocontented Erik Walter MN, Crystal, USA Sign in to contact 1978 MG MGB "Vivian"Jul 5, 2017 09:29 PM Joined 6 years ago 330 PostsJul 6, 2017
Are cotter pins used with cap nuts?
Cotter pins are used with castle nuts to lock the nut onto a bolt and prevent it from spinning loose accidentally. They are usually made of soft metal, so they can be bent by hand or pliers to make them challenging to remove.
What's the difference between a cotter pin and a cotter key?
What Are Cotter Pins? “Traditional” or straight cotter pins are metal fasteners with two parallel tines that are bent after installation to secure the pin in place. Also known as cotter keys or split pins, they are inserted through holes in clevis pins.
What happens if you over tighten ball joints?
Ball joint in a damaged steering knuckle. Notice the placement of the yellow ring – it sits further down in the knuckle. Another consequence of overtightening is that the castle nut on the ball joint ends up going past the hole for the cotter pin. When the nut goes past the hole, the cotter pin won't fit.
How tight should I tighten my ball joints?
5:0510:00How to Tighten a Ball Joint or Tie Rod End Castle Nut - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd I'm using the 19 that's what the ball joint one was but this is gonna be a 17. Just go aheadMoreAnd I'm using the 19 that's what the ball joint one was but this is gonna be a 17. Just go ahead here tie em up. And I should be there close enough now where I can just torque them on.
How tight should ball joints?
Test fit the new ball joint by hand to check the fit of the stud taper to the knuckle. The stud should seat firmly without rocking, and only the threads of the stud should extend through the steering knuckle. If this is not the case, it's likely that the steering knuckle is worn and needs replacement.
Is Cotter Pin reusable?
The split pins may be constructed from different types of materials that can be bent adequately. In general, once the pin is deformed, it will reta...
How to remove a Cotter Pin?
The procedure of the cotter pin removal is very easy. First of all, you need to get pliers and use them to bend the pin arms and make them straight...
What is a Spring Pin?
Spring pins are a type of fasteners used to fix the relative position of more than one part of a machine. A slotted spring pin is a cylindrical pin...
Why should you use a Cotter Pin?
The cotter pins are used in a wide variety of applications. It can be used as a quick locking mechanism that can easily disassemble and replace, bu...
What are Cotter Pins Used for?
A cotter pin is a fastener that secures a nut to a screw. To use a pin, you need to drill a small hole in the bolt.
What are cotter pins made of?
Different Types Of Cotter Pins. Cotter pins are used to fasten two pieces of equipment together. They are typically made of metal and have a “T” shaped end that pinches the material between them.
Why is it called a cotter pin?
This type of fastener is called the cotter pin because it was first used by a Scotsman named James Cotter (Sr.). The idea came to him while he was trying to figure out how to keep two pieces of wire together and noticed that they fit snugly after being twisted in opposite directions.
What is a hammerlock cotter pin?
A hammerlock cotter pin is one of the different types of cotter pins. The head and shank are forged to be integral, but they’re not welded together like a full-pinned construction would be.
What are the different types of cotter pins?
Here we will discuss some common ones: – Standard Cotter Pin These types of pins can either be straight or curved in shape and come with two different ends – one for attaching it to an object and one for attaching it to another pin.
What is a split pin?
A split pin is different because only half attaches to each side while both ends have pointed tips that can enter pre-drilled holes. Cotter pins are more likely to be made from steel whereas split pins tend to be made from brass. This type of fastener is called the cotter pin because it was first used by a Scotsman named James Cotter (Sr.).
What is a clevis pin?
A clevis pin is one of the different types of cotter pins. A cotter pin that has an enlarged head on either end and little or no shank in between, used typically to attach a rope (or chain) to something like a sailboat boom. The round heads are easier for binding lines than, say, the flat ones of other varieties.
Why do you need cotter pins?
These cotter pins are placed into bolts to prevent in from getting loosed or coming out. It is quite common for bolts in your car system to wear off with time, especially bolts attached to vibrating parts of your vehicle.
What is the standard size of a cotter pin?
Bicycle cotter pin sizes are slightly different from automobile cotter pin sizes, so they cannot be interchanged. The American standard for cotter pin sizes starts at 1/32.
What is a clevis pin?
Clevis pin: A type of fastener that allows rotational movement within the axis of the pin of the object connected to it. This type of pin consists of a shank, hole, and head. The hole drives through the shank at the opposite side of the pin. Usually, the clevis pin is used in conjunction with a shackle.
What is a split cotter pin?
Cotter pin, also known as a split cotter pin, is made up of harder grade steel. A split pin comprises two long spikes that are bent to hold it in place. Other types of pins like Hairpin cotter pins or clips are made to slip on without any bending problem.
What type of pins are used for locking nuts into place?
You can use this pin by creating small holes in the bolts or other fasteners. Clevis pins, a different type of fastener, are commonly used with cotter pins because they have already made holes in them. Cotter pins are used for many applications, including locking nuts into place and getting rid of steering noise.
What size are split pins?
Split pin sizes range from 1.19mm to 19.05mm
Do you need a cotter pin for a motorcycle?
Though not considered necessary for installation, but are necessary depending on the application. A motorcycle’s front wheel is usually held together by a castle nut and a cotter pin subjected to frequent vibrations. Cotter pins use their strength to provide a very strong and reliable locking mechanism.
