Temporary Re-Use of Old Castle Nut For LBJ ok?

So I got the wrong size castle nuts with my LBJ replacement kit (OEM) and it is Sunday so I can't pick up the correct size castle nuts from a dealer, but need to drive my truck tomorrow and I'm in the middle of swapping out the LBJs.

Would it be a big deal to torque the old castle nuts on to the new LBJs and keep them on there for a day or two until I can get my hands on two new castle nuts and then swap them out? My guess is that it shouldn't be a big deal, but I wanted to check here to get other folks opinions.

I attached a photo showing the exact nut I'm talking about.

 

Are LBJ castle nuts one time use consumables or something? I’m confused why you have to ask if you can use it.

 

It's fine to do.

 

In general castellated nuts can be reused as long as they are not also a metal or nylon lock nut with castellations. If you really want to get technical you can worry about break away torques or run on torques but in real world application once you torque it to spec and install a new cotter pin the nut cannot loosen.

 

Thanks for the quick replies. I guess it could be more of a general question of "how bad is it to torque old nuts on new parts and then soon after torque again with a new nut?". I was thinking maybe it would potentially mess up the threads or something. Sounds like maybe it is best to just re-use the old nuts and leave them on for good (rather then replacing with new nuts in a couple days).

 

As long as the threads on the old nut are clean it won't hurt anything to install it on the new ball joints. It also wouldn't hurt anything to run new nuts on after the fact either, just a few minutes of extra work and a couple bucks.

 

I actually never heard of a castle nut failure, but a new cotter pin would be best.

 

great! i have new cotter pins. I will clean and inspect the old nuts and then install them if everything looks good. Not sure it will be worth replacing them with new nuts at this point...unless someone here highly recommends that it's worth it!

Another quick beginner mechanic question: what should I use to clean up the old nut? and other parts in this area - LCA, tie rod, etc. Just want to get everything a bit cleaner and not sure what to use as a general cleaning product...brakleen? WD40? Something else?

 

Brake cleaner, a copper bristle brush and rags usually work well.

 

Only use WD40 if you plan to also use something to remove the WD40 afterward. Simple Green, etc.. You ultimately don't want to leave something like wd40 on there which will continue to attract dirt to it.

 

You should be fine! The cotter pin will keep the nut on.The wrong nuts were in the Kit?.

I have done this a few times and then never got around to putting the new nuts on

 

Yeah unfortunately they sent too big of castle nuts. I ordered the correct nuts but already finished the job with the old nuts and everything is torqued to spec with cotter pins in....still can't decided if it's worth jacking the truck up again to install the new nuts when they come...

 

As long as no threads were stretched or overtorqued you can reuse that nut forever, all that's needed is the cotter pin

 

Myself if you have a reason to be working on the front end replace them if not wait till you do.

The new nuts are for people that live in the rust belt where the nuts get trashed for the most being removed .

Good luck!!