Carl's original post scared me plenty so I went out immediately last night to look at my '50 COE and '37 1/2 ton. I performed frame off restorations on both trucks, which, to the best of my knowledge had never had the front axles disassembled before. I re-assembled as I found them. Both trucks have castle nuts that hold the steering arm with thick flat washers (not lock washers) and holes in the bolts for cotter pins, The other 2 bolts that hold the backing plate to the spindle at the top are standard nuts, with the same thick flat washer, with no holes for cotter pins. I think you can see this in Tim's pictures he has linked. The castle nuts are normal thread and do not lock or deform the bolt threads.

Regardless, thank you Carl for sharing this with us as it is important issue with serious safety implications.
Kent


1937 Chevy 1/2 ton
1942 Chevy 1/2 ton
1947 Diamond T Model 509
1951 Chevy 1/2 ton
1950 Chevy COE Model 5700 ~ "Barney" ~ And more pix