I am replacing a 45yo QR axle and this is what I was able to find. The threading and length is perfect, but the new axle isn’t slotted. Do I really need the washer to be keyed, or should I attempt to dremel wheel a slot in the new axle?
by LowInternet4726
5 Comments
The keyed washer prevents the cone from turning when tightening the locknut so as to make bearing adjustment easier. If you have a vise, cone wrench, and wrench for the locknut, adjusting without the key isn’t so hard, and the key is not necessary.
Conversely, if the axle wasn’t made with a slot, it might not be a strong enough material to keep its form after you’ve put a slot in it.
If you have cone wrenches, it makes it easy enough to get rid of the nub. Just there to keep the cone from moving when you tighten the locknut on the outside.
I’d try to replicate the original design with the slit. It is meant to sallow the lock nut to be torqued without causing the cone nut to rotate during torquing of the lock nut. That said, if you can hold the cone nut with a cone wrench, you can get away without slitting the axle washer.
I’d grab a new washer preserving the old one if I yarf it up. If you can do cones without the slit I wouldn’t worry about it.
I wouldn’t try slotting that hollow axle with a milling machine or similar with ultrafine depth control.