Lube for Sturmey Archer X-RD3 hub gear

[Night Train]

I have a SA X-RD3 hub gear on my bike. I got it from Ebay and the seller mentioned something about having had it apart to check and tighten the bearings.

I am a bit concerned, having found that the freewheel was either very stiff or very wobbly and missing a lock ring on the cone, that it is going to need a through check to make sure it is OK.

What lube should I use when I am reassembling it? It seems to have grease in it at the moment, thin and black in colour.

I have found a servicing PDF on the SA site but no mention of the correct lube.

Cheers.

 

[bobg]

I have a SA X-RD3 hub gear on my bike. I got it from Ebay and the seller mentioned something about having had it apart to check and tighten the bearings.

I am a bit concerned, having found that the freewheel was either very stiff or very wobbly and missing a lock ring on the cone, that it is going to need a through check to make sure it is OK.

What lube should I use when I am reassembling it? It seems to have grease in it at the moment, thin and black in colour.

I have found a servicing PDF on the SA site but no mention of the correct lube.

Cheers.

http://www.classicli...on-sturmey.html

Have a quick look here under Sturmey near the bottom of the page. Ted Tyndall is somewhat of an SA expert I think,and recommends 30 W as the best lube for FM hubs, it may be the same for more modern ones, Machine oil being too thin and motor oil too thick. BTW They sell it in Tesco's as Lawnmower Oil for about £2 a litre
Bob

 

[Night Train]

Thanks, I'm sure this one doesn't have any oil in it at the moment.
According to Sheldon Brown's site he says that the modern hubs use grease but can be converted to oil and recommends it. He also mentions 'special grease' to stop the oil leaving the hub via the bearings.
'Special grease', hmmmmm.

 

[mac1]

You could try watching the Youtube videos by GrahamNR17 on SA hubstripping - not sure how to post, but they're easy enough to find. He recommends generic lubricants you can find pretty much anywhere.

I bought one off ebay too - a 97-98 model; did you have any trouble removing the ball ring - started yesterday with the hammer and punch and sprayed GT85 to penetrate it, but not making any progress.

 

[mac1]

issOK - just managed to unscrew it - wooohooo!

 

[Night Train]

Thanks, I saw the videos and figured that it wasn't that complicated to strip and have a look inside.

The other video about setting the cone and lock nut with a drum brake was interesting.