When installing a castle nut, what is the first step regarding alignment?

When installing a castle nut, the first step regarding alignment is to align with the cotter pin hole at minimum recommended torque. This is crucial because the cotter pin is designed to lock the castle nut in place and prevent it from loosening due to vibration or movement during operation. By aligning the nut to the cotter pin hole at the minimum recommended torque, you ensure that there is sufficient thread engagement while also allowing the cotter pin to be inserted properly.

If the alignment were done with the washer hole, for instance, it might not provide adequate locking without the cotter pin securing the nut. Similarly, aligning with thread count or to achieve maximum tightness does not prioritize the functional locking mechanism of the nut and may result in a less secure installation. Therefore, aligning the nut with the cotter pin hole at the recommended torque is the best practice for ensuring a secure and safe assembly.