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How to install (precrimped?) cotter pin?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by SB6, Nov 30, 2019.

  1. SB6

    SB6 Member

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    I installed a new ACDELCO lower control arm and ball joint, and they came with a new cotter pin. However, the pin looks precrimped, not like the straight/noncrimped pins in the installation videos I've seen.

    I found a Wikipedia page titled R-clip, however, the picture seems a bit different than mine. What's the proper way to install these?
     
    #1 SB6, Nov 30, 2019
  2. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    The pin will be inserted thru the stud and the bends on the clip will sit within one of the notches on the castle nut.


    iPhone ? Pro
     
    #2 The Critic, Nov 30, 2019
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  3. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    I can't imagine what you mean by "precrimped." If the arm is held on with a castle nut, it should have a regular straight cotter pin that goes through the opposing slots in the castle nut and the open end gets bent.

    If it's a spring clip, that would not be the right kind for a castle nut.
    Screen Shot 2019-11-30 at 7.56.18 AM.png
     
    #3 jerrymildred, Nov 30, 2019
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  4. SB6

    SB6 Member

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    Here's a picture showing the pin in question. I think these are called R-pins
     
    #4 SB6, Nov 30, 2019
  5. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Why didn't you take a picture of it and post it here?

     
    #5 ASRDogman, Nov 30, 2019
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  6. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    +1! @ASRDogman

    I have never seen anything like what's in the link you provided, @SB6. This is an R-clip/R-pin/hitch-pin/spring cotter-pin/ad nauseum.
    Screen Shot 2019-11-30 at 8.16.41 AM.png
     
    #6 jerrymildred, Nov 30, 2019
  7. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    A "Jesus" clip! :)
     
    #7 ASRDogman, Nov 30, 2019
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  8. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    It's just a custom, re-usable spring type and installs just like any other style cotter pin. Straight portion goes through the hole. Shaped portion locks into the outer edges of the nut...……..

    If you're not comfortable with it, just use a normal, classic style pin.
     
    #8 TMR-JWAP, Nov 30, 2019
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  9. spiralhelix

    spiralhelix Active Member

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    When I installed that shaped pin, I inserted it with the bends towards the end of the bolt, then when all the way in I rotated it so the bend at the end went in the empty space of the parapet. I used a small pick to help give me the clearance.


    -Spiral
     
    #9 spiralhelix, Nov 30, 2019
  10. SB6

    SB6 Member

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    I posted a link to a picture in both of my previous posts in this thread

    I ended up installing it by inserting the straight end through the stud with the bent end above the stud. Then rotated it so the bent end went into an open slot of the parapet. Then I sort of hammered the bent end in to tighten the pin. Idk if that was the correct way to go about it, but it seems to have worked lol.

    Do I need to bend the straight end? I just saw that my current tie rod also has one of these pins, and the straight edge isn't bent
     
    #10 SB6, Nov 30, 2019
  11. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    Honda used that style of cotter pin on their vehicles during the 2000's.
     
    #11 The Critic, Nov 30, 2019
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  12. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    I "think" the hook part hooks around the bolt so I think so it doesn't need to be bent.

     
    #12 ASRDogman, Nov 30, 2019
  13. 2012 Prius v wagon 3

    2012 Prius v wagon 3 Active Member

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    Yes, nothing needs to bend permanently there. I recently dealt with those on my 2011 Honda Odyssey. The straight part goes through the hole, and you can grab the outer, not-straight part and pull it so it fits around the bolt and snaps back in place. It bends elastically and comes back to its beginning shape.
     
    #13 2012 Prius v wagon 3, Dec 1, 2019
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