Play in wire wheel splines.

[bl1300]

I have very little experience with wire wheels but I really don't like the amount of rotational play that has developed in mine.

Now before the wheels were removed from the car there was virtually no persceptable play in the splines. I removed the wheels to gain better access to the wheel arches and on replacing them there is now notable rotational play in the hub splines. What have I done to them, the car has not been driven since the wheels were removed.

[Rich]

Not done them up tight enough? That was what was wrong with the ones on my mg when they were, umm, loose..

[bl1300]

I try hitting the spinners with a bigger hammer then ;D

[v8ian]

Did you clean the grease off the splines?

[bortaf]

Hammer the spinner ? they are probably not fully on yet anf grease them, had this on a few MGBs, as long as the don't wobble like a bearing has gone AFTER you hammer the spinner tight there's nothing to really worry about.

[composimmonite]

Check splines. If not done up tight in the past then they can wear causing the play. Strictly no repair / option other than replacement but your choice whether to carry on using them if only slight play. Personally I'd regrease and give them a try

Paul H

[RetroWarwicK]

i was advised that greasing splines is a no-no - thats what accelerates wear. i clean the splines then use a small amount of light oil to allow the wheel to slip back on.

[composimmonite]

The proper stuff to use is actually PBC grease although today copper ease probably just as good. It's main purpose is to stop rust and thus the spline binding.

Paul H

[Deleted]

Apr 17, 2013 8:33:53 GMT RetroWarwicK said:

I was advised that greasing splines is a no-no - thats what accelerates wear. I clean the splines then use a small amount of light oil to allow the wheel to slip back on.

Grease accelerates wear? Realy? Thats news to me..

Allways thought thats why we use it on multitudes of bearings, hinges, sliding joints...

[RetroWarwicK]

yeah, because the splines wear out as the greasing promotes movement, which is exactly what you don't want........unless you drive about with loose wheels?

interlocking splines are not supposed to move...unlike bearings or hinges

I use a light oil to keep the splines clean and rust free or you use anti-seize compound mentioned above.

[Deleted]

Anti-seize compound..... Copper GREASE? If they are done up tight, As they should be... Then grease isnt going to make them move..

[ChasR]

Copper grease IME does not quite have the same lubricating properties as CV or LHM grease (those who have used it on dailies and sliders on sliding calipers will know what I mean ). After all, the clue is in the name (anti-seize, not lubricating .

I think what Matt is saying is that the Splines should be preserved and not have anything which promotes movement present. I know in the biking world that greasing certain things can promote wear in similar circumstances (I.E, bottom bracket shells (I had an unidentifial creak on my Cannondale's cranks until someone gave me similar advice to Matt (I used ceramic grease, as I was not quite brave enough to have no grease and risk the cups seize into the frame).

That's my take on the matter anyway.

[Bozwell]

grease on the splines if fine. the tapers in the spinners and hubs must be grease free which is much more important as this is where you don't want movement.

use a large nylon headed hammer to tighten spinners as this will cause less damage to the spinners.

[composimmonite]

Apr 18, 2013 23:42:08 GMT Bozwell said:

use a large nylon headed hammer to tighten spinners as this will cause less damage to the spinners.

I've seen a block of wood with the profile of the spinner cut out that can then be slipped on and hit with any hammer being used.


Paul h

[bortaf]

Personly i just stick a bit of scrap wood between the hammer and the spinner, not damaged anything other than the scrap wood in 4 years or servicing and one 9 month major rebuild but then i know some people like to buy stuff they don't really need, i myself have 12 pairs of underpants, yet i do a wash every 7 days so don't realyy need the other 11 pairs LOL

[bl1300]

I'm currently tightening my spinners up with a rubber dead blow hammer like this



and a block of wood. Maybe a club hammer and wood would be better?

[xbo11ox]

Apr 19, 2013 13:17:46 GMT bortaf said:

people like to buy stuff they don't really need, I myself have 12 pairs of underpants, yet I do a wash every 7 days so don't realyy need the other 11 pairs LOL

;D ;D ;D ;D I just LOL'd

[Pistonbroke]

The correct way is as follows.

Use copper grease on splines, makes the wheels easier to fit and remove but also offers a little protection to the splines and even pads out worn splines a little.

DO NOT get grease on the forcing cones at the rear of the wheel to hub or front of wheel to spinner.

Tighten wheels up as tight as possible before lowering to ground then tighten them up "bloody tight".

Use a copper hide mallet, copper to loosen a tight spinner/do last knock of tightening up and hide for all the rest of the work so as not to damage the spinner.

The nut type spinners are curse word. The 2 eared are best in use (I love the look of 3 but not as useful) there was a long metal "spanner" invented for doing up and loosening 2 eared spinners, they have too much flex to tighten the spinner enough. Likewise I don't like those wooden spanners for the same reason. Fine on a garage queen doing 10 miles a weekend but on a daily as all mine are you want them on tight.

[Boost_Junkie]

Apr 19, 2013 13:17:46 GMT bortaf said:

I myself have 12 pairs of underpants, yet I do a wash every 7 days so don't realyy need the other 11 pairs LOL

If you did a wash every 12 weeks you could spend more time arguing about whether copper grease is a lubricant or an anti-seizure compound

Alex