Help: Castle nuts vs nylon lockers

[Polypedates]

Hi all,

I just recieved a load of suspension parts for my Mk1 restoration. I needed a new steering arm ball joint and the new one has a slightly narrower thread to OEM with a locking nut (nut with a nylon ring) as opposed to a castle nut/split pin arrangement as Toyota intended. I also ordered two rear ball joints and these are the same. Is this OK? The website claims all parts are at least as good as OEM but a locking nut doesn't stike me as being as secure as a proper pinned castle nut

I need to ring them as one of the front ball joints they despatched is for a comletely different vehicle (the other is OK and does have a castle nut and pin) but before I do so I just wanted to know whether I should kick up a fuss about the others too?

Thanks.

At least the KYBs look fine

[IanParkhouse]

IMO nylocs are fine. I've used them where the split pin has rusted and blocked the hole on the ball joint. The ball joints I've just brought did come with castellated nuts though

[LimeyMk1]

As above I've never worried about using Nylocks. If in doubt stick a bit of locktite on the threads as well.

[Peter Gidden]

Castle nut and Nyloc nut both as good as each other.

[Polypedates]

Excellent, thanks everyone

[elbon50]

As I see it Nyloc nuts are simply a more modern version of castle nuts

Some balljoints, etc are not drilled for a splitpin

An important difference is that you can re-use castellateds again and again

Not advisable to re-use nylocs

(Although in an emergency I have been known to give em a tap on the end with a knocking stick to squash the nylon a little )

Peter