Missing Woodruffe key/Tang in rear wheel.

[Jollyjeweller]

Had my new BT020s fitted yesterday, and we noticed that the woodruffe key/tang/dowel (i've heard it called all 3) Aprilia part No 8121451, was missing.
The tyre fitters couldn't see what it was used for, and the Aprilia dealer in Bristol was also perplexed.....
I'm guessing that it wouldn't be there if it wasn't needed, but do i actully need this, as I think i've riding the Fut without one for a year ?

[PaulZX9R]

It is kind of useful, as it is the bit that stops the other bits from getting loose and falling out. It your dealer, or worse, the guy chaning your tyre, didn't know that, I would be a little nervous about what else they don't know.

[RobC]

my guess is that it's meant to stop the locating dowels wearing away at the holes in the wheels by locking the tapered centering washer to the hub. It's not chunky enough to do more than that, and the castelated lock nut is to stop the retaining nut unwinding. I didn't have a key for at least one tyre's life with no ill effects long term. It's only a few pence to buy anyway, or make one from a bit of mild steel.

[Jollyjeweller]

Ta...so i'll read that as...handy to have, but not essential, and the wheel ain't gonna fall off !
I'll get one ordered up, but at least i can ride the Fut in the meantime.

[RobC]

just make sure the centre nut is tight and check it regularly - you don't want to let any wear develop in the locating holes in the wheel. Someone had that happen, even with the key in place iirc

[Jollyjeweller]

Cool. That reminds me, my Fut toolkit didn't have the "allen bolt" needed to tighten the rear wheel, a 22mm I think?
Any ideas where i can get one from, and exactly what size it is?

[Pat]

No idea where you can get one, but it's like an allen bolt head that fits into a 22mm socket. I suppose you could do it with a hex key, but the little bugger needs to go on really tight...

[bullit in head]

not had a key for about 30K miles.... I'm not sure it ever had one. I have seen no ill effects from it....


bullit

[meanstrk]

Only reason it's there is like having a cotter pin in a conventional axle. It's just there to provide a safety for the axle nut coming loose.

[RAS]

As long as that aluminum hex piece that holds the cover is in place, engages the screw that passes thru the hub, and is retained by the snap ring, that big nut cannot unscrew( there is some play where the internal hex meets the screw, so it might be able to unscrew a degree or 2). The key will only prevent that tapered centering collar that the fastening nut pushes against from turning. You don't want this piece rotating each time the nut is loosened and tightened as wear between it and the hub might cause the wheel to be no longer plumb. Granted, that might be 100 tire changes. rick

[Dan]

Jollyjeweler, the guy in your avatar probably left the woodruff key out.

Get one and replace it.

I agree with: "If your dealer, or worse, the guy chaning your tyre, didn't know that, I would be a little nervous about what else they don't know."

[AndyB27]

I found an old tubular box spanner in my kit that fitted the back wheel, and then used a large socket on this for the torque wrench. I think it is 22mm but was just pleased it fitted.

The really bad thing with my back wheel is NO snap ring (cir-clip in the UK) as the last person who had the bike appears to have "butchered" the groove away inside the hub.

Had my rear changed last summer by a mobile tyre fitter in the UK and although mine was the first Futura he new straight away about the Key.

AndyB

[AndyB27]

SORRY!!!!

That was from my tool kit and not an Aprilia tool kit, thought I would say before everybody starts looking for somthing they dont have in that little bag of tools. Its only the chain spanner thats any use.

AndyB

[Dan]

The really bad thing with my back wheel is NO snap ring (cir-clip in the UK) as the last person who had the bike appears to have "butchered" the groove away inside the hub.

I'll give you two on that. What is it with people butchering simple mechanics?

[AndyB27]

Dan,

I have spent a lot of time in the State working, and you guys do a lot more stuff for yourselves than this side of the pond. The attitude is either pay somebody (lots) or bodge it and then move it on. You have to be really careful with second hand bikes and cars for that matter in the UK.

I am keeping my eye open for a back wheel hub from a breakers but if the swinging arm is OK off an accident damaged recovery then it would go as a part of that so is going to be very hard to come by.

Thanks for the two it was just what I said when i found it.

AndyB