just picked up two upper control arms (uca)for my 97 civic..the originals had castle nuts and cotter pins...the new ones are identical but the passenger side uca did not have castle nut and cotter pin,the driver's side did.....is this a change since the originals and is it okay...it seems unsafe as it is part of the steering system.....maybe the lower ball joint and tie rod having cotter pins and castle nuts are enough as they are on the lower end of the steering knuckle....suggestions,obversations.....compo1

 

does the new upper ball joints have the holes for the cotter key?? you can buy the castle nut. Also is the nut thats not a castle does it have nylon inside of the nut these are somewhat new, and they hold very very well, but i didnt think they used these for that?

 

one had a castle nut and hole in bolt for cotter pin...the other one didnt...the guy at advanced autopartssaid they were made at different times and this was the new way of manufacture..it has a locking nut and he said that was ok.

 

locking nuts are cool and all, but i prefer castle and cotters id take that one back and find another parts store that has the one you want what ever makes you feel better, but id look for another one.