David Kunz writes:
>>> I had a similar problem with my Chris Kings. I started making really sure that I torqued the
>>> retaining ring to the spec and it hasn't done it since.
>> Tightening a retaining ring does not reduce stress between the inside splines of sprockets and
>> the sprocket carrier. I think there is no cause and effect link in this case. Unless the
>> sprockets were wobbling previously, the lock ring does not alter contact pressure.
> The lock ring compresses the gears together making them share the shearing load. In my case, the 3
> small gears were cutting into the free hub splines -- they are individual. With the lock ring
> tighter, all of the gears are compressed harder against each other and the spider that carries the
> larger gears. This makes for a setup that is more of a single carrier this spreads the load over a
> wide area vs. individual narrow elements that focus the pedal pressure on a small area if just the
> one gear with the chain on it alone carries all of the force.
This has no effect on spline contact pressure. Imagine removing the spline teeth from the inside of
one sprocket and relying on friction to keep it from rotating. It may be able to drive the bicycle
under light load on level ground but ultimately, under higher torque the sprocket will rotate
independent of its neighbors. The same is true with an in tact sprocket only that through clearance
the sprocket will also displace radially on the sprocket carrier from chain pull so that basically
one spline flank is loaded. That is what causes the indentations.
Jobst Brandt
[email protected] Palo Alto CA