Bellcrank Question

[Les Kovacs]

Happy New Year to all on MLU!

I am now working on the bellcrank of my 67' M38A1 CDN2. During driving there is play in the bellcrank and I have noticed that it is an up/down movement brought on by driving over a railway track or into a pothole. Other than that, on level smooth roads the steering is tight with no wander or play. As the radiator is pulled for re-coring, I put a finger on the upper bellcrank bolt and it was fairly loose. I also noticed that there was no washer so I took off the nut and also noted that there was no hole for a cotter pin. I put on a washer and replaced the nut and tightened it down for now.
Question....as I will soon be buying a bellcrank repair/overhaul kit can I replace the main 4 1/2 inch long bolt with a new one with a cotter pin hole without actually taking off the bellcrank from the tie rod end and from the draglink? Will the hole setup stay in place to be able to replace the main bolt?

Thanks in advance,

lesk