Hey guys, sorry if this is in the wrong area!

I am having issues getting my centerlink nut threaded back on when installing the Pittman arm onto it. The nuts threads are a little thrashed which is why i think im having a hard time getting it going, and the joint just spins with the nut even when hitting it with a impact gun and trying to hold the joint from spinning with a pair of vice grips. The threads on the centerlink joint seem fine. The factory nut does not have a pin to put through it like the replacement ones do and i cannot seem to find a replacement nut on any autoparts websites for the centerlink. They want you to just buy a whole new centerlink which i do not technically need to replace right now. Has anyone ever had issues getting their OEM centerlink nuts back on when installing into the pittman arm? Can anyone point me to where i can find a replacement OEM centerlink nut for the pittman arm? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

The car is a 1987 IROCZ 5.7
Thank you in advance!

 

Any tractor supply or Menards will sell cotter pins and castle nuts. Take one of your old ones there to match them up.

 

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate that advice, but i believe the factory centerlink joint does not have a hole for a pin to be used with a castle nut. Its just a standard nut that is used but it has press marks on it like it was crimped at the factory. I sort of think that its a one time use nut possibly? I can seem to find info anywhere about this. And i cannot seem to be able to buy just the nut itself. I can try to use a normal nut but im afraid it might come loose as it wont be crimped like the factory one was. I could be completely wrong on this. Ive attached a picture of the factory nut. At least im pretty sure this is the factory nut. The car only has 65k miles but i am the 5th owner. No accidents or anything on carfax.
Thanks again

centerlink joint nut

centerlink joint and pittman arm

 

Use a clamp or prybar to squeeze the link and arm together. That will help reseat the stud and cone interface. .

You have the factory correct lock nut on there. The threads are deformed on purpose to help keep it locked in place.

 

I forgot that some of these cars can with the deformed nut which performs similarly to the cotter pin design. I personally do not like the friction fit but the arm should almost form a press fit on the stud seat (as mentioned). I don't know if those nuts are recommended to be re-used. I'd replace the center link with a new moog unit which uses a castle nut and pin.

 

Thank you both for your replies! I will give the pry bar or C-clamp a shot, very good idea. If i cannot seem to get it goin I will probably just replace the centerlink with the moog as recommended. I appreciate the explanation on the nut as well, that makes sense. I will probably replace the centerlink in the near future even if i do get this one back in place becasue it seems safer with the castle nut.
Thank you both again for the advice!

 

I'm just afraid the nut will be made round but unbolting it. I believe it is deformed after it is installed.

 

Sincere thank you both for your replies, I was able to get it all back together by clamping down the centerlink and pittman arm with a nice pair of big channel locks. Thank you again!