Correct way to install a cotter pin..
 

This may be a silly question but is there a correct way when installing cotter pins?

I left the one end straight and bent the top one up over the castle nut. Is this correct or should I also bend the bottom one down in the other direction?

On vehicles I butterfly them along the sides of the nut. On aircraft one end went up and over the nut and end of bolt and the other end, I bent down per tech data.

When you stick the cotter pin through you should have the longer tip to the top of the nut, then bend it over the top of the nut . The shorter end can be bent around the side of the nut or just cut off.

Is it okay to leave the bottom pin sticking straight forward then?

I wouldnt. Trim it and bend it down so it's flush

So bend one up and one down?

if that's the method you are using, then yes. The longer one up and over and the bottom one down and both flush. What you cotter pinning?

Tie rod and drag link ends on my new HD steering setup.

gotcha. :thumbsup:

An important consideration: Leave it bent so that when working nearby on something else, you won't hurt yourself on the cotter pin.