Excavating tooth point/adapter assembly methods

A method of constructing an excavating support structure/wear member assembly, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a support structure having a projecting portion extending lengthwise in a forward direction and having an exterior surface portion through which a connector opening inwardly extends along an axis generally transverse to said forward direction;
• coaxially mounting in said connector opening a connector pin in a manner permitting said connector pin to be rotated relative to said projecting portion of said support structure without causing appreciable axial movement of said connector pin relative thereto, said connector pin having a longitudinal portion extending outwardly beyond said exterior surface portion of said projecting portion of said support structure;
• providing a wear member having opposite front and rear ends, and a cavity extending forwardly into said rear end;
• mounting said wear member on said projecting portion of said support structure by causing forward movement said projecting portion of said support member and said outwardly extending longitudinal portion of said connector pin into said cavity of said wear member with said connector pin in a first rotational position thereof;
• and
• releasably locking said wear member on said projecting end portion of said support member by rotating said connector pin from said first rotational position thereof to a second rotational position thereof.