Can I get a cotter pin from the hardware store?

[Guest]

I broke one for the torque arm of the rear brake. Id on't really want to wait for a replacement part.

 

[Rob S.]

I broke one for the torque arm of the rear brake. Id on't really want to wait for a replacement part.

Don't see why not. Small nail bent into a "C" shape will get you there.

 

[Grimly]

I broke one for the torque arm of the rear brake. Id on't really want to wait for a replacement part.

Split pin? Any agricultural hardware store will have them.

 

[Rich82GS750TZ]

I think you could use a hardware store cotter or split pin there. I have splits on the axle bolts, cotters on the rear brake torque arm bolts. All came from the hardware store. On the plus side, cotters come out easier. On the negative side, cotters come out easier. That said, I?ve never personally had one fall out, and I ride on Rough roads, often like your last week?s pic of the week winner.

to be clear, this is what I?m calling a Cotter pin

This is what I?m calling a split pin (also usually called a Cotter pin)

 

[Grimly]

R-pins for the win!
Infintely re-usable unless you park it up and some duckhead steals it, for some weird reason.

 

[Baatfam]

I think you could use a hardware store cotter or split pin there. I have splits on the axle bolts, cotters on the rear brake torque arm bolts. All came from the hardware store. On the plus side, cotters come out easier. On the negative side, cotters come out easier. That said, I’ve never personally had one fall out, and I ride on Rough roads, often like your last week’s pic of the week winner.

to be clear, this is what I’m calling a Cotter pin

This is what I’m calling a split pin (also usually called a Cotter pin)

No, no, no...The bottom one is the cotter pin, and that's what my parts drawers say....

 

[storm 64]

Top is a hitch pin (actually hitch pin clip)
Bottom is a cotter pin.
It probably comes down to what part of the country or World you live in. Some folks call things different.

 

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Haha. I know right? According to google, the authority on everything, right. These are all cotter pins.
couldn?t be more clear.

 

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Cotter pins could just become the new “oil thread”

 

[storm 64]

Cotter pins could just become the new “oil thread”

We have to get Steve involved with this. He'll set us all straight! Lol ��
Hair pin cotter pin. I can live with that��

 

[Baatfam]

Laughing now. And lying in bed. Goodnight, and thanks for the laughs.

 

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Trying to keep it light and have some fun. ‘Night

 

[Grimly]

This has arisen before and caused confusion between nations.
Who can forget the Great Cotter Pin War between Rightonia and Leftoveria because some careless draughtsman wrongly labelled a part as a cotter pin and the Navy of the Leftover Alliance lost a cookhouse with all pots because of a pin. War ensued and cakes were thrown, but the hard-baked cakes of the Rightonia Army proved too much and the Leftovers sued for peace (and jam).

 

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Draughtsman. What the heck kind of?............It’s draftsperson. Jeez!

I think I hijacked Noreg’s post. I’m really sorry. :apthy:

 

[cowboyup3371]

In a heckuva lot shorter words than above - yes. I have a large box of cotter pins from our discount hardware store (Harbor Freight) that I bought years ago and still haven't used everything but grab items from there whenever needed

 

[Steve]

We have to get Steve involved with this. He'll set us all straight! Lol

Hey,wait just a minute there, Storm ol' boy. You are making it sound like I have a reputation to live up to. :-\\\

I have never considered myself to be an authority on the subject, so I'll just share what I have heard over the years.

I have always heard that this is a Cotter pin.

I have always heard that this is a hitch pin clip, but my kids, who worked in the carnival circuit setting up and taking down rides, called them "R-keys":

But here is the final authority on the matter:

 

[bwringer]

Now with "split pins" (which is clearer wording than cotter pins, I think, but not common the US), there's the next great Holy War, which is orientation. Should these be bent around the end of the bolt or around the nut?

Turns out either works, and the preference depends on environment.

In aviation, the latter (tail bent around bolt) is preferred. Some manuals mention the other way (around the nut) might be better in some situations if it's a tight space and it might reduce the chance of snagging and ripping the next mechanic's flesh open.
https://www.flight-mechanic.com/safetying-methods-part-three/

 

[Guest]

Now with "split pins" (which is clearer wording than cotter pins, I think, but not common the US), there's the next great Holy War, which is orientation. Should these be bent around the end of the bolt or around the nut?

Turns out either works, and the preference depends on environment.

In aviation, the latter (tail bent around bolt) is preferred. Some manuals mention the other way (around the nut) might be better in some situations if it's a tight space and it might reduce the chance of snagging and ripping the next mechanic's flesh open.
https://www.flight-mechanic.com/safetying-methods-part-three/

Thank you for this, I was pondering about that last time what orientation was correct, now I won't have to worry about it.

As for the name of the pin, I see that is a sensitive topic, I was thinking of the R-looking pin. If I understand correctly I can use whatever I wan't, but I shouldn't dare use the wrong word for it

 

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Right. So, it’s not important to what you call them. Common names vary by region, no right or wrong. What’s important is the application. I believe I’ve got the two types applied properly in this one photo. “R” clip in the torque arm bolt. “Split” clip through the axle/slotted axle nut.

 

[rphillips]

It does depend on your location. Here, a 10 penny nail in the axle nut, bent on the outer end & a piece of #9 wire in the torque arm bolt, bent on both ends. Dang, I just thought everybody knew.