how does something like this happen?

[3100 MPFI]

Ever had one of those days?

Everything had been going fine. I have not had any real issues with my 1995 Cutlass Supreme ever since I got the twin cam running. I had checked everything out, but something new popped up... er... rather popped OUT.

I was backing out of a friends driveway and my car suddenly jumped, and made a loud banging noise. It did it again before I could stop. I got out of the car, stuck my head under the front, and had a friend start turning the steering wheel for me and this is what I saw.



Fortunantly, it didn't come all the way out. I walked to my grandmothers house (only 3 blocks away) and borrowed her car. I went to my moms and got a spare castle nut off of the pink car. I lost the cotter pin, so I just drove the car to my grandmothers house, and used her car to go get one.

It looks like the cotter pin sheared off and the castle nut backed off until it finally just fell off.

Fortunantly, it didn't come out, and fortunantly, the end of the ball joint was fine so I didn't need to replace it.

[SappySE107]

Lucky. Cotter pin sheared off? Damn, maybe it wasn't tightened enough before the cotter pin was installed? I assume you didnt touch that part of it.

[3100 MPFI]

When I go to do the tie rods, I am going to recheck it, and set it to the proper specs.

I didn't have my tools with me. All I had it a wrench, and a pair of needlenose pliers. I just needed it in so the car could be moved.

I have to replace both tie rods, so when I go to do them, I will remove the cotter pin, and check the torque. Right now, everything is still packed up for the move.