Toyota Repair: 99 Corolla Cotter Pin, cotter pins, cotter pin

Question
Hello, Ted. I took my corolla to the dealer 2 weeks ago for the 60,000 mile major service. I noticed a few days later that something looked like it was missing where the cotter pin is in the middle of the wheel. I took my hub caps off long ago because everytime I turned, it made a
horrible ticking sound. I don't mind not having hub caps. Should something be covering the cotter pin? I've cleaned my wheels up close plenty of times, & if I would have saw the cotter pin, I would have been more cautious when cleaning around the pin so that the towel wouldn't snag.
But I promise, I've never actually seen it out like that. At first the the dealer said they would check to make sure they didn't leave the caps laying around, then when I took it in, they said that they don't have anything in the computer that they can order to cover them & that nothing actually goes there. I know I'm not crazy, but there's even scratch marks that looks like a cap or something was removed around the "bolt" (it looks like) sticking about an inch out and cotter pin. It's this way on both front tires now. Do the back tires have cotter pins, too? Should I worry or is it dangerous that they're not covered? I truly appreciate your time. I just need a second opinion. Thanks,again :)


Answer
As long as the pins are installed there is no cause for concern, there is no other cover that goes there, sometimes they are covered by small center caps that attach to the wheel rim or by the full wheel covers, the rear wheels do not have cotter keys on them.