I still dont understand the pivot shaft ordeal either, I tried 2 nuts and 3 pivot shafts and it seems like the nuts really dont want to go on them, but they are the right nuts.
not home, so i can't check to be sure, but aren't those nuts "pinched" so they're lock nuts? if so, they have 3 dimples on the sides. maybe i'm thinking of the strut rod bolts