Sturmey Archer 3 Speed AW hubs come apart from the non-drive side, with a left handed thread. Utilize the notches built into the left side to knock it loose.
We were taught in Schwinn service school to hit the sprocket toward the teeth smartly with a hammer to pop the lock ring off...worked every time. Of course, the hub was clamped in an axle vise which was itself bolted to a sturdy workbench.
Jim Allen the CycleSmiths Ranchita, CA 92066 760 782 2737
Reid Fisher wrote:
> Hi,
> FWIW, I bet the "red oil" is just separated old grease, or old oil, rather than rust -- I know my various grease guns leak different colors of fluid, staining everything for yards around, and oils can have different colors, too.
>
> Taking apart the hubs is not hard. Seems to me there was one tough snap ring or so. Just do it one piece at a time, laying them out in order so you can pick each up sequentially and know which end goes in first. It's a very cool planetary gear concept that's in there. I don't remember what there is in the way of a seal.
>
> Reid Fisher
> wishing I had kept my 3 speed hubs in San Martin, Calif.