I am replacing the front control arms on my vehicle (ball joints and the bushings are more than well-worn after 20+ years of service). But I am finding myself in somewhat of a predicament: all of the hardware currently on the vehicle will be reusable when I go to install the new arms, except for the slotted nuts securing the ball joint, due to excessive rust and corrosion. And the replacement arms did not come with new hardware.
I have tried to no end to find replacement nuts with the correct thread size and thread pitch - through my own dealer, 2 Nissan dealers, 5 auto parts stores, and 7 hardware and hardware supply stores. Nothing. It's as if it doesn't exist.
Thus, my question: it has become known to me that many replacement aftermarket parts, and even OEM manufacturers, are now using nylon lock nuts on ball joint studs; but in this scenario, would it be acceptable to use a nylon lock nut instead of the traditional slotted nut & cotter pin when the latter is technically called for? The studs on the replacement arms do have holes drilled in them to accept a cotter pin.