HELP! Raleigh Wayfarer Rear hub making Metallic rubbing sound at high speed

[DJBearClaw]

Hey all, I inherited a Raleigh Wayfarer (don't know the exact year but am told it's around 40 years old) with a Sturmey Archer 3 speed. I gave it a wash then took it for a ride yesterday and after three miles I heard a horrible sound coming from the rear of the bike. The sound started after cresting a bridge, when I hit a high speed on the down slope. I pulled off after the bridge and flipped the bike over to check it out. I am 95% positive the sound is coming from within the Hub. I am not sure where and why as this is my first Sturmey Archer. The rubbing/schreeching only happens at high revolutions and when the gear gear is stationary or rotating backwards. When I pedal the noise goes away.

Also I find it very hard to switch gears sometimes. The gear lever will not budge, at what seems to me, randomly.

I thank you all in advance for any answers!

 

[Theseus]

Sounds like it needs a bit of TLC, take it for a service.

 

[tyred]

Try putting some fresh oil in it first.

Open the oil port and rotate wheel so that it is on the bottom and let whatever is in there already drain out in it's own time (put something over the rim to stop it getting soaked in oil). Have a look at what drains out. Is it white gunge (mixed with water)? Is there any evidence of metallic pieces in it?

Then put two spoonfuls of fresh car engine oil or SAE 30 (often sold as mower oil) and see what happens. Do not put 3 in 1 oil or similar into an SA hub.

 

[tyred]

BTW, the year of manufacture will be stamped in the SA hub shell (assuming the wheel is original).

 

[DJBearClaw]

Great, I put oil in it and went for a ride and after 19.25 miles no problems. I did not empty it first though. I would of liked to of seen what, if anything, would come out.