Qd spline play.

[Dibble]

What, if any play is tollarable in a qd rear wheel arrangement?  Just noticed i have noticeable movement on my spitfire which is not there on  the hornet! Splines look ok but its hard tomeasure any actual wear.  Thanks for any thoughts.
Dave

[JulianS]

The below is an extract from a factory service meeting in July 1965, it seems there were fit problems with some of the QD splines at this time.

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi Dave,

I started a thread about spines and the option to replace the sleeve in the hub.  Not straight forward so it leaves the part on the brake drum to consider.  This part could well have been made softer so that it would wear rather than the spline in the hub.  I have a well used hub and there is a bit of wear made more obvious at the rim/tyre rather than at the hub.  The spines on both parts look pretty much the same but an almost new ring does have a snugger fit.  On my really well worn hub the splines have lost their squarish shape and have become almost pointed.  I am waiting on delivery of a brand new splined ring to try and see how much this helps. 
I suspect not too much and eventually the hub will have to be replaced.
The life of the spline seems to be dependant on how clean and greased it is kept and how much abuse it gets during its life.
I am considering using two of the splined rings to get on to the rest of the splines on the hub that are unworn.  It will require one of the rings being welded to the other after the outer part is removed.

Interesting about the spindle. Although hub and brake drum rotate together, if the wheel is not clamped tight enough it could contribute to wear in the splines.  I will check mine.

Dave.

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi,

A bit of an update.
The new 'hub flange', as my supplier calls it, arrived and when fitted on the well used but not too worn hub it just about takes up all slack, so a result with that one.  I will try it on my very worn one as soon as I can and report back.

Dave.

[Dibble]

Thanks Dave and Julian most interesting.  Think for peace of mind I'll source a new hub ring and take it from there. Thanks again.
Dave