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MG MGA - wheel spline lubrication

I've had Never-Seize recommended as an alternative to high-temp bearing grease to keep wire wheel splines lubricated, as being less messy. Any opinions out there on whether this is a good idea?
Mark Lambert

Hi Mark, I use anti-seize on the splines and a thin film of grease on the threads and in the knock off. The splines stay lubricated (and not baked on) and the threads have the correct lube/friction ratio.
Russ
Russ Carnes

My guess is that this has come up in a previous thread - to lubricate OR not!

If the splines are lubricated, in any way, they must surely be able to move back and forward easily.

If they are dry they must surely grip solidly and therefore last longer.

I wonder what the factory did?

Barry
BM Gannon

There has been talk of the abrasive quality of Never-Seize and how it can cause wear at the car spline to wheel spline connection, Just a thought! Ric
RIC LLOYD

It's not really for lubrication, but corrosion prevention.
A Pearse

My advice is use some but use the minimum possible or otherwise it leaks out!
Mike
Mike Ellsmore (1)

As Mike says use the minimum grease possible and certainly not on the shoulder that provides useful friction.
J H Cole

To reduce the mess, clean the inside of the hub in the area of the outer spokes. Run a layer of silicone sealer over the heads of the spokes in the hub, this will eliminate grease or antisize from leaking out and messing up your wheels. Also keeps water out of the hub.
J Heisenfeldt

I have been using anti-seize on my splines for more than 20 years. I also apply it to the thread and groove on the knock-offs, and on the shoulder where the back of the rim butts up to the base of the splines. This has made it easier to remove the wheels for cleaning two or three times a year.
There has not been any obvious wear on the splines.
I don't understand the reference to movement and friction in the above postings - when the knock-off is tight, there should not be any movement on the splines, nor is friction required to hold the wheel in place.
In itself, anti-seize is not a lubricant or an anti rust product. It is the finely powdered soft metal, aluminium or copper, that fills the gaps in a thread hence preventing rust to form. I have seen anchor shackles that have been in the sea for years open with little effort when lifted as they were treated with anti-seize during installation. Anti-seize does not prevent a bolt or nut being tightened to stay tight. However, it should not be used on head nuts/threads as it changes the torque numbers.
I would therefore recommend its use on splines.
Peter.
P. Tilbury

I use Devcon Stop Seize (high temperature anti seize used in smelting industry). Works a teat even if a bit of an overkill.
Mike
Mike Ellsmore (1)

I usually just grab a finger full of wheel bearing grease to protect the splines from corrosion, but anti-seize works just as well.
Bill Spohn

This thread was discussed between 16/02/2009 and 22/02/2009

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