How To Properly Install A Suspension Cotter Pin (01 of 02) 🔧

[@debbielicona5030]

Thank u ,as a female that never followed her dad around and now divorced . The cart I was putting together had no instructions but that of where it the cotter pin went . Thank u so much

[@MythsofVirgo]

All that personal info was unnecessary lmao

[@allanwhorrall5142]

Actually the small side should be pushed downward to ensure you have a positive lock. This may be fine for auto’s. However, in Aircraft maintenance you would do the cotter pin as I described.

[@ytclipz1879]

Would putting the shorter part down really ensure a lock bc I’m putting a cotter pin on my truck& I do want to make sure its tightly hold on

[@Paulwall267]

If you had the castle nut and the proper location all you have to have is one side because this if the nut is right there touching the Cotter PIN and the cotter PIN is the correct size they Loop in of cotter pin will be secure in between 2 years of the castle nut that's what actually secures the nut if you don't use the proper size cotter pin because besides that you fold is smaller of an area than the loop side so technically it don't matter if you fold both ends down because it's still smaller of an area it's not touching both sides of the castle nut ears because if it is the right size cotter pin before you bend the other sides it should be snug where it don't really have any play in that castle nut

[@homealone5087]

100%. Either up and down or wrapped around the castellations is acceptable.

[@DrMatthewHudson]

So you should push the long side up and small side down right? That doesn't seem like it would be to hard to get out because you can just pull them together.

[@greenbudzzz]

I didnt know Eddie bravo knew so much about cotter pins.

[@higherprimateuniversity9084]

Look into it .

[@snoracle4926]

Lmao wasn't expecting this comment

[@whitetrashcartel]

Dead on!

[@katobytes]

lol

[@f.i.l.d.e.p.s]

he installed it inch by inch

[@lynnwatkins4847]

Thank you! Sometimes you aren't taught these things growing up and then when you get to be old there's no one around to ask, so once again thank you!

[@kathievillard2613]

I can certainly agree with that!!! the hardest part is getting back up off the floor!

[@leighcurrier3077]

I'm an old girl living alone in the woods off grid. Thank you for helping me to become more self-sufficient. Really good clear instructions. Much appreciated! Peace from northern Ontario Canada.

[@MichelleHodge818]

Wow, thank you so much!!!! Here I am, a 60-year-old woman putting together a wheelbarrow for my husband's birthday present, and I had no earthly idea where to even start with these damn pins! I love a day when I can learn something new. Thank you for taking the time to make this video. You saved me a lot of embarrassment and headaches!

[@peacefullydrea9196]

That’s what I’m putting together to a wheelbarrow, I had no idea so I had to look it up on KZbin

[@elaine1962]

I bought a grocery cart to help me bring groceries inside. I had no idea how to use a cotter pin. Thank you for this video. I watched with my 7 yr old grandson so he can learn how to do things. We both laughed because you talk like his father, my son. Thank you again for this video.

[@Sue-ec6un]

Ok, maybe you think this lesson will go unnoticed...but really, I had no idea. I was like "this thing ain't gonna work". But 2 minutes into your video and the light bulb came on! Thanks, man. Now if I can just remember where I left that stinking tool that I JUST had in my hand...gracious.

[@bobbyscott7031]

I have a riding mower that had a flat tire. The wheel was held on by a cotter pin which was of course double bent. It was a nightmare to get out! Pretty much had to destroy the pin to get it out. In putting the new pin in it just seemed extremely difficult to double bend it. So I searched on KZbin and found your video. The really makes sense, thanks again!

[@PrincernPrince]

He's actually wrong. Everyone knows about the leverage regarding the longer pin. However, every manual bends both ends that why u had difficulty removing yours because it was actually doing its job. You're not supposed to leave the other end straight.

[@DavidsonKai]

@@PrincernPrince Exactly

[@ROCNMOM]

Well I just did some stupid $h;t…. But I just KNEW it wasn’t correct. I knew bending each piece in opposite directions under, wasn’t going to be secure or accessible on this shredder/mulcher I just got. But the internet said to, so I did. But I had a feeling and searched the webs again and here you were. So THANK YOU for making this video. Appreciate it. ‘The More You Know’ 🤘🏻

[@arthurmendez2382]

That’s why I looked this up. I knew I was doing it wrong my whole life. I love we have people like you to get all worked up over little things like this. Thank you dude. I’ll keep this knowledge forever.

[@MikeD-ne6ie]

Thanks for taking time to make this video! I learned this when I was in the carwash business. We had 67 roller assemblies with 2 stainless 1/8 x 3/4” Cotter pins attaching the roller assembly to a chain. If someone bent both sides of the Cotter pin it would be a nightmare to remove, because of the hardness of the stainless and the size. I found that just bending the long side up a quarter inch or so was good enough to hold it in place, yet removing it was easy for replacement.

[@Xsidon]

i love that even this is clearly the superior way of doing this, people still argue by theirs without pointing to anything that would make logical sense as to why... thanks for teaching me a better way of doing things sir.

[@marissasaengsuwan5146]

Thank you so much, sir! Putting together a garden rolling work seat for my Mom. I have never used or installed a cotter pin! Good explanation!

[@JimmyVaught]

Thank you! I've been folding each end around the nut and had the hole towards the spindle.. your method is so much easier.

[@c4abundance]

Thank you so much! I just assembled a garden cart that had these to attach the wheels to ... I'm disabled in my hands & upper arms/neck herniations, etc. and I finally got all this done! This one little trick was what I needed just to get started. Forever grateful!

[@AnnainStitchesPets]

Dude. 😂 I am absolutely putting together the same green cart from Amazon.

[@nmartin5551]

Last front end (okay, it was my first too) I asked a mechanic friend how to properly bend the cotter pins. Thanks.

[@milleniumraz]

Awesome! I've been struggling like a blind monkey trying to figure out how to reinstall cotter pins on my moving dolly after replacing the wheels! Thanks for showing me the light!

[@reesalee01]

I am a 57 year old widow who found your video so I would remember how my daddy taught me to install cotter pins. I am assembling a wheelbarrow that I ordered and am at the step to install the wheels. Guess what, my shade-tree mechanic daddy taught me exactly this method of installing cotter pins and gave me the same reasons why when I was a kid. I just couldn't remember until I watched this video. So, feel a little better. There hope for the world after all. One KZbin video, one shade tree mechanic, and one 57 year old widow at the time...there's hope.

[@khatlest11]

This video is the reason I come to KZbin 👍

[@timcheng8165]

Go to 2:00 for helpful part.

[@tedfranks762]

Thank you!!!! My dolly came without instructions and when I saw the two pins, I didn't even know what they were called.

[@koreysmith3635]

Much appreciated! I'm a DIYer, but always try to learn the pro way to do stuff...was replacing ball joints on my 95 Trooper...thanks!

[@JulesNavyMom]

Holy Cow.... you saved me so much frustration.... I can't thank you enough.. really just thanks

[@DavidLDFL]

I completely understand your point here BUT what is your source in this method being the CORRECT method? In my schooling and all of the engineering and maintenance books for aircraft it is shown vertically like this BUT the other tab is also bent down and they are both trimmed appropriately. Or the sides are split apart horizontally like most commonly seen.

[@kccorcoran5228]

Thanks for the info. KZbin videos are so great for a girl trying to find answers and help.

[@Jamespennington71]

Even though I know only one side needs to be bent, I bend the short side out of the way too. After having the shit sliced out of my arm by a rusty cotter pin while doing an after dark road side repair, it seemed to make more sense. If you can't manage to get a cotter pin out, dykes and small pin punch make it a breeze.

[@averagewoman6962]

Thank you. I'm putting a wheelbarrow together and when I saw those pins (to hold the wheel) I guessed that the longer side was to make it easier to lever out just one of the prongs to bend it back but I didn't know if I was supposed to twist the other prong the other way. Thanks for the info, it's very much appreciated.

[@lisao3041]

yeah, I thought same thing - hard to grab one of the sides if they're both the exact same length. I didn't do it correctly, but they aren't going anywhere either so....

[@misscabbyp7198]

Have to insert one on the tongue of the wagon in putting together. I bet he never suspected how many ladies with various items he would end up helping with this video.. giggles.

[@deboraf1873]

I loved this video. I was looking on youtube for a tutorial on putting in a cotter pin on my fertilizer spreader wheel! this was perfect. thank you

[@nickvandernet]

I'm building a motorcycle. This was fascinating. Thank you.

[@jeffcantley9203]

You have forever changed the way I will install cotter pins in the future it makes perfect sense. Now I don't have to go get my needle nose pliers to bend them

[@robertzelenka4007]

Thank you. I an 76 years old and I am delighted to hear you explain not only how but why.

[@Lily-hm6ce]

Thank you sir. Simple when you know how. Didn’t realise it could be bent manually....

[@anonymous-nobody1]

Yes you are correct bending both legs over together in the same direction is absolutely incorrect, however your demonstration is not correct either. There are two ways for a cotter pin to be properly installed that I am aware of. First method which is the preferred method is in the direction you show, you make sure the head of the cotter-pin is fully snugged into the castle-nut and then you bend the "top leg" (short or long leg doesn't matter) up and clip it to just short of the edge of the nut that is near the cotter pin head. The other leg gets bent DOWN and clipped so that it sits just above the part being fastened, you do not want the cotter pin rubbing on the material. Second method (less common and more of a PITA) is again make sure the cotter pin is snug and then bend the cotter-pin around the nut (perpendicular to the bolt) in opposite directions and tuck the ends of the cotter pin into the next "castle" opening next on either side to the head of the cotter pin, if you look down on the cotter pin it'll look like an anchor. Either method you want to make sure that the ends of the cotter pin are flattened down sufficiently as to not create a point that can be easily snagged by something which could result in the cotter pin being broken and fall out, plus by securing the ends properly you also reduce the risk of snagging your hand on it when working in the area. The reason the cotter pin must be snug/tight in the hold is if it is loose any movement caused by vibration can cause a failure of the cotter pin. In terms of tightening a nut to allow the the cotter pin to fit through a hole, you tighten the nut to the minimum spec listed for the part and increase the torque as required to stay at or below the maximum allowed torque for the part. Why do you not leave one leg straight? simple, what happens if the only leg you bent were to break off? You now have nothing holding the cotter pin in place and it can fall out.

[@2tallB]

nobody thank you, seems like a bad idea to have straight pins sticking out from your castle nuts. And your second point about potential failure is good too.

[@robertschirmer9533]

Thank you for saying something "nobody"! He does a video because he's pissed that everyone installs the pin incorrectly then proceeds to show yet another incorrect way to incorrectly install the pin. Bend one trim one. Simple.

[@jds1906]

thank you!!! Finally!!! you are 1000% correct!!!, wish i read your response first, it would have saved me a lot of typing on my response :)

[@Vacublaster1]

They're not cotter pins

[@sublimefreak2244]

In aircraft mechanics we bend both sides, one up one down

[@DJAE12345]

Thanks man, I got a chair and the instructions just said open split pin and I had no idea how to do it right 👍

[@Caindacu]

Imagine being so pissed that you make a whole ass video about it

[@karendaley4417]

I completely appreciated this video!! Female here and I was putting together a wheeled cart for firewood and didn’t want it to fall apart on me while I was lugging wood up stairs. I knew immediately when I looked at the cotter pins that there must be a reason for the longer ends, and before I simply bent it as the instructions stated, I did a lookup and found this very informative video. So I thank you for putting it out there!!!

[@olenaerhardt7725]

Thank you very much, it is really good to know how to do things properly. On that cotter pin it was some confusion for me, since some people bent it horizontally, some vertically, some bend both ends together. Maybe it will work any way, as you mention, but it is important to know the right way, especially it is not difficult.

[@Fanzindel]

Thank you for calling out the “I’ve been doing this for 20 years” BS!!

[@sashagm9031]

Thank you for that information, I bought a sack truck and it came with cotter pins for the wheels and I had no idea how to fix them, now I know and I will always do them properly. Loved your video.

[@87flyerfan]

An old timer showed me this when I was 12.. 33 years later I'm still doing it this way! Great video and thankfully I've been doing it right the whole time 😅

[@emmysue7275]

Omg u made me laugh! I appreciate this cuz I had no idea 51yrs old female been in landscape maintenance over 20yrs and I learned sumtin’ new today Plus I laughed my ass off!ty ty

[@venitashackelford2909]

Thank you. I just got my little wagon and didn't know how to use the cotter pin

[@3018john]

Hi good video but it’s called a split pin. A cotter pin is used to attach bicycle pedal arm to spindle.

[@gunstargizmo]

Sometimes you're limited to the amount of bend you can apply, but the principle is the same. I use these for my bike brake pads which allow just a slight bend of the extended shaft. These pins are cheap and more secure over pins with clips. Clips can break or pop off, and if that happens at a high speed, it could get ugly if the pin falls out.

[@dreamingcode]

Thank you for making this. Im new to cars and i just realized a mechanic did work on my front end and never bothered to put the pins back or add missing pins.

[@AlabamaTree]

Wow! That’s very dangerous. I don’t think you can call him / her a mechanic when doing something like this.

[@el3389]

Wow what a way to make someone feel like garbage. I'm putting together a garden cart. Never heard of a cotter pin until i was putting this together.

[@Ririhamilton]

Thank you for this video. It was very helpful and your commentary was funny.

[@cynthianewman2786]

Thank you! I actually needed exactly THAT tutorial.

[@bruhify47]

Hey what will happen meaning is it dangerous if my cotter pins were not put back in on my trail blazer 4+4 when the rack n pion was replaced and I’m driving it

[@SurvivalInFlames]

“And it’s gonna make it that much harder to get it out” Exactly, that’s why you bend both sides of the pin. The cotter pins job is to keep the castle nut from backing off. Who cares if it’s harder to remove later on? That’s like saying only torque your wheels to half the factory spec, so if you get a flat it’s easier to get the wheel off. Sounds pretty stupid, eh?

[@xtr3m3fLx]

Yup, this guys a clown and his aggressiveness makes him that much funnier.

[@Lee-dn3ou]

I Have a small shop and almost ever car I've worked on is done wrong it iratates me to it one way I know if I did the work or if it was messed with among other little thing I do to know if it was my work or not

[@sigmoned3783]

Thanks Bro! Saved me... I was like wtf , how to use this putting together an aerator!!!!

[@Aviator168]

Can you recommend a way to drill a hole on the bolt for a cotter pin? I mean drilling the hole after putting the crown nut on.

[@lordshiga9482]

You wouldn't drill the hole, it should already be there.

[@ItsBeezyDoe]

What size cotter pin would you use for a 2008 Nissan Altima

[@426hemicuda]

What if the bolt was facing the other way? Then the longer one would be folding into whatever it’s holding. Seems like what should have been said is the longer side will always be folded over on the end of the bolt/stud side.

[@moonwoven]

Thank you. This is exactly what I needed to see.

[@wy771]

I can't believe I have to watch a video on how to install a cotter pin....but here I am.

[@michelledebardelebenpage4132]

@W Y Your comment made LMAO!! I was thinking the exact same thing about myself when I was watching this!

[@jesbergs]

😮 Learned something new today

[@malcoexclamation]

You and me, buddy, are on the same page. Every time I see a video of someone installing a cotter pin, it's wrong. I should direct everyone to this video. Thanks for the instructions.

[@olenaerhardt7725]

May I ask your opinion about cotter pins (size 1/8 X 1-1/2) grade 5.0 for cars? It is much easier to work with them than with stainless cotter pins. But are they reliable for a small passenger car (2003 Chevrolet Cavalier), not a truck? In the set of ball joints I bought the hole in one of them drilled perpendicular to the plane of the steering knuckle, so when you install the cotter pin it hits the knuckle and to put it in you need to push and slightly bend both ends, push and bend again until it sets in the hole. Thank you for a great film.

[@CelticTigerMotors-fl5eh]

Awesome video!!

[@sandrarivero7885]

I bought a new dolly and my wheels kept falling off, and I kept having to buy more pins. I didn't know I had to bend them. I just slipped them in thinking they would stay. LOL Thanks

[@Ryandoesdifferentthings]

Wow Shaun just wow 🤩

[@wernervanderstraeten7394]

Thanks for making this video

[@Ehigg50034]

Thank you- I used this to put a manual push lawn aerator together. I’m a single woman and had no help. And it was so entertaining I’ve watched it 4 times.🤣

[@lisapotetz9792]

Single woman here too and just found this to help assemble red flyer wagon. The picture in the instructions was confusing. This was super helpful. And it made me laugh.

[@721bluesman]

Single woman here as well installing wheels on a snow blower, very helpful information was given on the video, but the dude doing the videos was just a little to bent out of shape over it all.I kept waiting for him to stop complaining so I could start figuring out how to do it correctly.

[@terri6584]

Thank you so very, very much! I had no idea how to use securing a wheel to a new recyclecart. Thanks again much!

[@thurm101]

I’ve been doing it wrong for years. But I did notice it on my used honda. I was changing front brakes and saw that the cotter pins was like that. So me thinking that the guy that had my car before me just didn’t know what they were doing so I bent the other side. But now I know that it was correct. Of course it will still work. But I know now.

[@davidfajardop]

Jeez, good video but chill down a bit dude

[@re748]

I agree

[@MickSkitz]

I just bought a trolley and it came with these for the wheels. I had no idea they even were suppose to be bent. I forked it over (one end through the hole, the other over the top) and it snapped nearly straight away. At least now I know what I did wrong

[@tinaroelofs4305]

This was very helpful. Thank you!

[@jimturner4937]

Well. I'm just putting a trailer dolly together and there was no instructions how to do this. Thanks.

[@susancastagna4241]

Your vid was just what I needed! Excellent!!!!!

[@Vacublaster1]

and incorrect

[@garlandcollins5039]

Very nice information..

[@jdmforever5583]

The only problem with putting the head of the cotter pin down in flush with the castle nut you have nothing to grab ahold of to pull it out especially when the cotter pin corrodes in the hole, my experience leave wiggle room so cotter pin won't seize up

[@sciencedontliebutscientist7083]

Knowing is half the battle 💪🏽

[@kimheinecken9727]

Sorry, but this is about 25% F-ing correct! What is correct is prying the long end up. What is incorrect is the rest. The shorter end should be pinched inward. If you want a tight, professional fit, you should use a punch and a hammer to do this. There is also nothing wrong with trimming the ends of the cotter pin so you don't scratch your hand the next time you are working there. This is how you are taught when working on airplanes. If you were only supposed to bend back one arm of the cotter pin, it would not be split... it would be solid, like a soft nail.

[@kimheinecken9727]

@@shaun4bigblocksllc Oh, Ok... You're right. At least someone knows what they are doing and it is obviously you.

[@ecopennylife]

Thanks, now I know how to do it right 👍

[@FATMAC_365]

Simple but brilliant

[@stephenbrown6712]

Great video, straight John Bull. Keeping it real!

[@Vacublaster1]

and incorrect

[@user-ow7zj7rr1e]

Hell yeah, bro 😎

[@georgiabigfoot]

Thanks for making this video. I was your 100th like.

[@veletanorris6288]

Thanks helped me a lot.

[@mmitchell1727]

The hole should not be flush in the castle nut. Turn it 90 degrees and have the hole horizontal to the castle nut window, otherwise you can't pull it out from the hole. It will get stuck in there after 10 years. But, you are correct about the tail ends bending a certain way.

[@jtrude]

Appreciate the video, so simple yet I had no idea.

[@nissa2944]

i needed this for a kids car

[@lucaspaquette2295]

Was it the police cruiser? I’m doing the same thing 😂

[@JC-rr5sw]

How did you discover that this was the proper way to do this? We're you taught this way? This makes sense to me.

[@joelletendre1011]

I am a 30 licensed tech. I thought I was the only one that did it that way. ( The correct way). I can always tell when someone else has worked on a vehicle after I have because of little things like that.

[@jimmiranda7181]

What happens if you torque to spec and the hole and the is below to hole?

[@jimmiranda7181]

Thanks for your help.

[@RBZ06LT6]

Simply go the the torque spec plus add just another 1/16th or 1/32nd of a rotation or whatever you need to reach the very next castle notche.

[@thetoecutter13]

That's not the way to install a cotter pin, you started right but the top should be cut between half and 3/4 of the way across the top of the bolt and the bottom cut and bent down just short of contacting the contact surface of the nut. Why would you leave all that hanging out to snag hands or clothing. Not to mention you only have to bend the top which has plenty hanging off to catch something you happen to run over and it can be pulled right out. The pin should always be installed in the direction of vehicle travel, frt to back. If I was doing an alignment on a car I would cut it off too, that's a safety hazard and is just not correct to leave it like that. Check aviation industry standards for installation of cotter pins or sometimes called split pins.

[@kristencampbell5868]

I have a different type of cotter pin.., (non automotive type). But I completely fell out laughing watching your video. I love the part you said “ you think that was by accident?? you think they did that to save money ??” 😂

[@lennex04]

Beautiful

[@lorirussell2440]

I am so glad to have found this video. I have no idea how to do anything mechanical. This was so helpful plus it gave me a laugh. Thanks for posting it. Lori

[@thebigbail]

I bend the other side down…. just hate snagging myself on cotter pins. Still easy enough to remove.

[@matthewmajcher7180]

Well you almost had it... Why would you leave the other tab completely straight? It serves no purpose that way. The proper way is to also take the shorter tab on the cotter pin and push it straight down, 180 degrees the opposite of the other tab.

[@charlesmiller7139]

I don't think I've seen someone get so upset over something so small. Not that I don't get what you're saying but I do my own work kinda for that reason. Cool vid. Definately keep that in mind seeing how even in the military we were instructed differently.

[@xl250mon5]

This is the way I have always fitted them.so easy to remove .Bending the leg simply stops the pin popping out letting it do its job ,why bend the other leg? For the pin to work itself out the leg has to be bent straight during the life of the pin.It aint going to happen!

[@thegoodlifegriffiths8504]

Hahaha ver informative. Thank you

[@eightfivesouljah85]

Appreciate that 💪🏾💪🏾

[@slcinwa3211]

Thank you!

[@AkwaAzeemBey]

Gratitude!

[@ebeegeebeefofeebee3181]

Can't argue with the simple