IGH: Sturmey-Archer AW (Breakdown and Re-Grease/Oil)

[markz]

****** Oops this is probably not the right area. Better would be "E-Bike General Discussion"

Here is my breakdown. I watched this and this. Everything looks to be in good shape.

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[spinningmagnets]

I don't know what the "best" grease for this is, but my default grease is a synthetic automobile front disc brake wheel-bearing grease. I happened to find a large tube of Mobil-1 that fit the bill, but there are many others. When the Mobile-1 runs out, I will try a tube of highly recommended Amsoil synthetic marine grade. It is reported to have superior resistance to moisture damage in its designed application of boat-trailer wheel bearings, which are purposefully dunked under water when off-loading a boat from a boat ramp. $9 for a big tube.

Since it is synthetic, it maintains a viscosity very close to what it was designed to run at, whether it is cold or hot. As it is common knowledge that ordinary organic greases are thin when warm, and thick when cold.

 

[markz]

I already got some red grease called Mystik JT6 Hi Temp Multi Purpose Grease with EP Lithium Complex and has a GLGI of 2. I think your "synthetic automobile front disc brake wheel-bearing grease" would be a great choice. Any auto parts store would have it. Unlike that Mobil 28 grease which is hard to find (locally) and expensive.



I have been reading up on this Sturmey Archer AW IGH and it looks like a great buy. I bought it because I've been reading your article and the threads in here. I knew AW was decent when I saw it hanging on the wall in the shop. I will end up using it as a jack shaft on a mid drive setup. I just wonder how I will get the other gear on.

 

[spinningmagnets]

As long as the edges of the parts that mesh aren't rounded off, a 50-year old AW will still be VERY strong, one of the strongest made (anything after WWII will have strong steel very cheap). The more I read about how these work, they are overkill..which is good for us in the electric world.

There is an old "K" version with six arms on the clutch (1930's?), instead of four. It only has three planet gears, but since I never hear about the gears breaking, maybe three is enough? They are rare enough that, I can't find info on how the six clutch arms mesh with the ring-gear shell. If the shell has three dogs, it would be weaker than the AW, if it has six dogs, it would be stronger (in first gear at least)

Its funny how many people assume that if something is older, it must be weaker. Many new parts are made to save weight, and also to save pennies in the material selection and metal-hardening processes. I'll bet this "antique" AW hub of yours is as strong as any IGH ever made.

https://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=60829&start=25#p1193568