Originally Posted by
dddd
Greenfieldja explained the role of the springs well..
The reason I mentioned them is that they need to be installed in the right orientation so that the QR nut doesn't bottom on the compressed spring against the tip of the axle, or the QR's force won't go toward clamping the dropout but may instead simply compress against the axle directly.
This is why AL1943 mentioned the length of the axle protruding into the dropout, if it's too long then ther may not be enough room for the spring and the QR nut starts compressing the fully-compressed spring against the end of the hollow axle itself, so the QR won't exert full clamping force on the dropout.
Continuing on the same theme, make sure the both springs are not on the same size. There have been numerous times I have removed rear wheels (and fronts for that matter) and found both the springs on the non drive side (no, not on my own bikes). I surmise that when the last person removed the skewer they placed the spring and QR (acorn) nut back on the skewer. Then when they replaced the skewer they un-threaded the acorn nut but forgot to slide the spring off also. Anyway something to check..
Also, to state the obvious as it needs to be asked; you do know how to work the cam of the QR; open and closed? This is a much more common issue then you'd think..