are these stupid clips called

While cotter pins and hitch pins perform the same basic function, there are differences. A hitch pin is a reusable device while a cotter pins is (generally) not. Cotter pins are bent to secure and are usually used where positive control of the pin is needed (like inside a wheel assembly). For more information see: www.globalspec.com/learnmore/building_co...tter_pins_wire_clips

Cotter pins, and hitch pins are both members of the "wire clip" family and the terms are often used interchangeably. The website goes into detail one when one or the other is appropriate.

I wouldn't call it a cotter pin. In common usage in the USA, a cotter pin is a single use pin.

From wikipedia: the pin in question is an R-clip.... aka, R-pin, R-key, hairpin cotter pin, hairpin cotter, bridge pin, hitch pin, or spring cotter pin. I'm sticking w hitch pin.

hitch pin

Ha ha .Im glad someone else replied with this first. I always called them Jesus clips too, but Hitch pin is the ticket I think

z1kzonly wrote:

slayer61 wrote: I've always called them "Jesus clips"
As in "Jesus! where did it go?" when it flies off!

Ditto on the "Jesus clips" 40 years so far!
Or Thanks! J, for holding them fasteners together.
Looks like seat pin clips Ram.

barney wrote: Ha ha .Im glad someone else replied with this first. I always called them Jesus clips too, but Hitch pin is the ticket I think

z1kzonly wrote:

slayer61 wrote: I've always called them "Jesus clips"
As in "Jesus! where did it go?" when it flies off!

Ditto on the "Jesus clips" 40 years so far!
Or Thanks! J, for holding them fasteners together.
Looks like seat pin clips Ram.

Jesus/elvis is usually the guy you swear that you see when the nut/bolt it was holding disappears at 100mph! :woohoo: