Answer
For a wave spring operating in a bore, the Outer Diameter (OD) must be sized with sufficient clearance to accommodate radial expansion during compression. The recommended clearance is typically $0.005$ to $0.020$ inches per inch of diameter. If the spring is 'bore-piloted', the OD is the primary datum. If the spring is 'shaft-piloted', the Inner Diameter (ID) must have clearance to avoid binding as the spring 'grows' during operation. Failure to provide this clearance leads to the spring acting as a friction brake against the wall, which manifests as a hysteretic load-deflection curve and accelerated wear.