Is it important to use metric cotter pins?
Metric Cotter Pins
- Thread starter IH8Wood
- Start date
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No. If a cotter pin fits the hole and can be bent over that is fine. A cotter pin is a cotter pin. Chances are you would be hard pressed to find a "metric" cotter pin.
I saw Metric cotter pins just the other day in the hardware store and I thought the same thing , ie pins is pins
I just realized the other day that I used bailing wire in my drag link end and forgot to change it. It really doesn't matter as long as the task in accomplished. I'm leaving it there.
rchalmers3
I speak Toyota
Bailing wire is a little soft for the usage in steering components. Maybe you should upgrade to..... a 6 penny nailer?
Rick
It's heavy gauge...
bailing wire will hold leaf springs in place to limp off of a trail i think it can keep a nut from turning from vibrations (that is the only reason of the cotter pin anyway. (keep nuts from backing off when having vibrations) so not much load (if any) is excerted on the pin or in some cases bailing wire.
sure... but why are cotter pins so darn hard but bailing wires is soft like butter to cut.
I agree it probably won't go anywhere, but cotter pins are tougher and will last longer. The bailing wire may rust away completely one day and the nut falls off... I would install a cotter pin myself.
I actually think it's tougher than the cotter pin I pulled out. Anyway, it doesn't matter, it's doing the job, and that's the whole point. For the record, cotter pins are very soft, that's why the bend without breaking.
Isn't a.....
Isn't asking about metric cotter pins a little like asking about European vs American Muffler bearings?
Isn't asking about metric cotter pins a little like asking about European vs American Muffler bearings?
- Thread starter
- #12
Metric cotter pins are real and readily available. I have a bunch of ASE cotter pins and wondering if I should use them. I take it the answer is yes. I also have lots of bailing wire and coat hangers in case I run out.
again a pin is a pin. if it fits in the hole and will do the job properly then it will work.
Ding Ding Ding
bingo
bingo
I'm sure it doesn't matter whether it's metric or SAE, but I've been using stainless ones with good luck. Sooo much easier to deal with when you need to remove them. Anyone who's ever had to drill out rusty cotter pin remnants will know what I mean. The stainless ones come right out, but I try not to reuse them, I keep a bunch on hand, both in the shop and in the truck.
