I am putting my front suspension back together and I want to know how you guys like to install your cotter pins? I usually bend the ends in opposite directions on the side of the castle nut. Is there a better way? Thanks!

 

I don't know if it's better, it is different. It's from an Air Force training manual, so it's been "Researched."

 

Hm, haven't seen a couple of those methods.

I bend one end straight up and over the top of the threads, then bend the other end around the side. I don't usually trim them unless they're really, really long. I like to have something to grab onto when I pull them off.

 

I have always used the top/center-left example. Dunno where I learned it, probably from Dad around the time the Mustang was being invented. It works, and it's easy to remove even when old and rusty, and I've been doing it long enough for some of my work to get old and rusty.

 

Thanks guys. I went with my normal method of bending them on opposite sides of the castle nut. Doesn't seem like there is any "right" way of doing it, just as long as they stay on there in the position you put them in.

 

That's the ticket.

 

it's more than enough to just bend one side up or to the side.
i've never lost one and it can't get lost unless something else bends it back.
I was tought to do it like in the top of the picture but to be honest i couldn't be arsed anymore. it's clean and tidy but quite pointless unless you need to clear the space around them