If not shortened often enough, cracks will develop up the top from the saddle ends. Incidentally, a high saddle tends to sweeten the sound. A low saddle tends to make the sound more brilliant. Balky ill-fitting pegs are impossible to deal with by the player. New pegs, when installed, should be used several times a day to make them and their holes maintain roundness.
Pegs do wear out and change fit over time, refusing to stay put.
Normally, pegs tighten in the summer and loosen in winter. Frequent use prevents this problem. However, when the small end of the peg sticks out 3 mm. Eventually, the peg hole becomes enlarged by many fittings of new pegs. If the holes are left large, the peg box is in danger of splitting out, especially at the A peg on violins and the D peg on violas and cellos.