Shimano 3-Speed Hub, How to Grease???

[Carbon]

Ok, so picked me up an ole fixer upper the other day and it has a really nice Shimano 3-speed rear hub on it, it has what looks to be some kind of grease oil cap type thing on the hub itself, can this be oiled or greased? First 3-speed i've ever had, sure it could use some fresh grease being a 79 model, though it doesn't have much time on it at all since new. Thanks in advance.

 

[deorman]

My advice for that hub, you can unscrew the inner main bearing races ("cones") one at a time, using the opposite side bearing to prevent the axle and internals from shifting out of place and grease them. If the drive or gears aren't malfuncioning, best just leave them together, it's nearly impossible to get it back together correctly. If the gears feel dry or sticky you can rinse it out first with kerosene. Put maybe a spoonful or so of motor oil in the oiler port with the bike in a stand, or upside down, and run it through the gears a few times. :|

 

[Carbon]

Good to know, thats what I was thinking would probably happen, its working perfectly but better safe then sorry, thanks for the advice.

 

[mos6502]

Whoa whoa whoa, you do not have to take anything apart! It's an oil port. Just squirt a tablespoon of oil in through the plastic port.

Later shimano hubs were greased, but they do not have oil ports on them.

 

[deorman]

Yes, I don't recommend disassembly, but oiling through the port doesn't do much for the axle bearing unless you flood it. You can just pour a few drops directly on them, but grease helps keep out moisture.

 

[jwm]

I've taken apart Sturmey Archer 3-speeds, and even got them back together so they worked. (that's the tricky part)
Is the Shimano hub much different inside?
I have an acquaintance who needs one worked on,
and I'm not sure I want to get into a project that's going to have me tearing out what hair I have left.

JWM

 

[deorman]

 

[deorman]

I should also mention that the drive pawls and planetary gears on these things are not real strong. They're OK for casual riding, but hard or sloppy use, or outdoor storage will likely cause it to break.