Darkshot

iTrader: (4)

So I'm just now finishing up the rebuild of my front end. I installed 2 new koni red shocks, new Napa Chassis strut mounts, new stock IROC replacement springs, new ball joins, new A-arm bushings, all new tie rods and center link, as well as idler arm. (All this steering stuff was Napa Chassis Parts) I'm hoping for improved handling that was close to a stock IROC or even a bit better.

I have a weirdo problem. I'm just finishing getting everything assembled and I realize I have an extra nut from the car. Its one of the 18mm "locking" (bent twice on one end) just like the ones from the A-arm bolts. Except I have all 4 nuts on there. The only other place I could find this style nut was on the idler arm support bracket, and I'm not missing anything there either. Where could this extra nut have come from, or even better, what are all the places on the car (or at least the front end) that have these nuts so I can check if they are missing?

Also, my new idler arm came with 1 black nut with a "triangle" shape on one side, except the idler arm has two attaching bolts. Why would they only include one? Should I always change like the top one or something? The two that were on the old idler arm bracket are on there now, which is just one of the locking 18mm nuts and one more like the trangle one that came with the new idler arm.

RBob

iTrader: (1)

Sometimes front end parts come with extra nuts. Such as getting both a castle nut and a crimped locking nut. The idler arm nut is for the stud off of the center link. Which the center link probably also came with a nut. This may be the extra you have.

The reason for this is if only the idler arm is replaced. The installer needs to use a new nut.

Same if just the center link is replaced. User needs a new nut for each stud (pitman & idler (then tie-rod ends?).

RBob.

Darkshot

iTrader: (4)

Sorry, I should have been more clear...I actually have TWO extra nuts. I have the one left over nut that came with the new idler arm (its not a castle nut, its like the nuts that hold the idler arm support to the body). The other nut is the one that really worries me. It's NOT new. It came off the car. I took it off something, but I dont know what. I can't find a spot where I am missing this 18mm crimped nut, and I dont want to drive until I can get the mystery solved. Where do thirdgens have those 18mm crimped nuts? They are rounded on one side, its the same nut that goes on the A-arm bolts but i'm not missing any of those.

JerseyMark

iTrader: (2)

Did you remove your calipers? There is a large nut that goes under the dust sheild that holds your caliper to the spindle & therefore your wheel to the car. Maybe its a good thing that you didnt drive it yet?

Other than that, the only places that I can think of are the idler arm & the pitman arm. Good luck with your search.

Darkshot

iTrader: (4)

I figured it out. Turns out it was from one of the two studs on the center link. I was confused because the old centerlink did not have castle nuts/cotter pins and I thought it did. As soon as I took a look at the old linkage in my backyard it hit me.

And by the way, what nut are YOU talking about? "caliper to the spindle & therefore your wheel to the car."? Are you talking about the ball joint nut?

JerseyMark

iTrader: (2)

No. There is a nut that holds the brake rotor to the front spindle. You have to take the dust cap off the rotor to get to it. But since the lug studs are attached to the rotor, if the rotor comes off the car... So does the wheel. Luckily the brake caliper usually will keep this from happening, but its still not a good thing. Next time you have one of your front wheels off, get a flat head screwdriver and pry off the cap that is on the center of the rotor. You will see what i am talking about.

Darkshot

iTrader: (4)

Oh yeah, of course. Dust shield......I thought you were talking about the other dust shield. The one BEHIND the rotor that is big and round, about the size of the rotor. Dont worry I didn't forget that nut, lol.