Check your nuts!

[edfoxuk]

Just back from the mot

It passed but rather worringly the lower balljoint retaining nut was not tight enough and there was play.
The big nut in question is a nylock and retained by a split pin. Its not easy to get at. I recommend you add it to your bolt check list.

[BigMack]

I think this is one that I replaced the nylock with a castelated nut and pin. I never had enough room for a pin with the nylock nut. Thanks for the warning!
Cheers!
-Mack

[Rubi]

edfoxuk said:

The big nut in question is a nylock and retained by a split pin.

Well then there's your problem. Split pins should not be used with nylocks because to use a split pin you need a hole in the stud for the split pin to pass through. The hole often tears the plastic in the nylock insert as you do up the nut making it useless. Split pins should - as BigMack says - be used only with castelated nuts. The split pin will be useless in stopping the nylock nut coming loose anyway; it will stop it falling off but it can still come undone.

>> Edited by Rubi on Saturday 8th April 22:10

[edfoxuk]

To be clear..............

The split pin on my car locates through a hole in the flat of the nut and the ball joint thread. The hole might have been drilled after tightening. The nut absolutely did not move/ rotate loose . The interface between mating sufaces eased causing movement and free play. This is the area where the race car failed (snapped the link) it is safety critical and based on this experience needs a check.

Its damn awkward to get at, but i recommend everyone fits a castelated type nut and checks for tightness. The play was evident with the wheel raised and rocked on its horizontal axis.