This OEM Hex Nut is a gold colored, metal, 3/8 x 16 part, sold individually. It is installed with a wrench, or socket and torque wrench, by torquing to the manufacturer specfications, and is used to secure parts in place.
You will know it is broken when you see the nut has damaged threads or rounded off edges, which can happen due to fa...Read moretgiue. If it is damaged, it should be replaced.
This part can have different uses and different degrees of difficulty depending on the part the hex nut is securing, but generally the replacement of this part is an easy job.