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Sturmey Archer circlip installation?

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Sturmey Archer circlip installation?

Old 02-08-11, 07:41 PM
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Muttleyone
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Sturmey Archer circlip installation?

Ok is there a trick to install the circlip on a S/A hub. I've found that swearing at it doesn't help at all.

Mutt
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Old 02-08-11, 08:05 PM
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There may well be a better way, but I tend to start with the back of the clip--the side away from the split--and work toward the split. Seems counterintuitive, but it seems to work for me. But you still have to swear at it. It seems to work best if you swear in a low, agitated tone.
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Old 02-08-11, 08:12 PM
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My technique is to put the opposite end of the axle in a vice, and then I hold one end of the circlip down with a thumb while I use a very small screwdriver to pry the opposite side into place. It usually takes a couple of tries, but I haven't had to swear much.

Neal
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Old 02-08-11, 08:32 PM
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Thanks guys, I used your technique Neal. I put the hub in the vise with my thumb at the 6 o'clock the gap on the circlip at 9 o'clock and used the screwdriver at 12 o'clock to pry the circlip on. Got it on the second attempt thanks, I knew you guys would know.

thanks,
Mutt
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Old 02-08-11, 09:16 PM
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I always swear I'm going to buy the special tool. But I never have it. Instead, I scream. I cry. My fingers bleed. Then it snaps into place.
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Old 02-13-11, 07:00 PM
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For the uninitiated, it's not that big a deal, and it's not something that needs to be done very often. Still, I would not have you frustrated by this.


Last edited by tcs; 02-13-11 at 07:06 PM.
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Old 02-13-11, 07:38 PM
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I use a screwdriver to hold one end in place and pull on the other side of the circlip with vice grips. I find that if a circlip has already been installed and removed once, then subsequent remountings seem easier.
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Old 02-13-11, 08:35 PM
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Originally Posted by nlerner
My technique is to put the opposite end of the axle in a vice, and then I hold one end of the circlip down with a thumb while I use a very small screwdriver to pry the opposite side into place. It usually takes a couple of tries, but I haven't had to swear much.

Neal
This is what I do, but I use the screw driver to press it on working my way away from my thumb. I don't use a vise - I just kneel on the wheel.

Also, you should double check that the thing is seated properly in it's groove. I've had them work loose before if not seated all the way.
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Old 08-06-18, 08:23 AM
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Old thread I know but I just had the joy of this clip over the weekend. When I was done it was mostly OK, but a little loose (still seemed to be in the groove). Curious about the operation once the hub is fully assembled -- should I bother going back in to replace the clip for peace of mind, or is the clip more for the assembly process? Plus the clips seem scarce and hard to find.

Thanks much!
Graham
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Old 08-06-18, 12:59 PM
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Graham, maybe you left out a spacer? Is the cog loose, or is it really the actual clip that is loose?

The circlip is the same as on many other hubs, including coaster brake hubs. Any bike shop that deals with one-speed coaster brake hubs should have a drawer full of those clips.
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Old 08-06-18, 01:09 PM
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I place the circlip so that the opening is exactly opposite to one of the splines. Then i press it down with to fingers left and right of the opening. Then i stick a small screwdriver in between the spline (that is at 180° from the opening) and the circlip. Then i tilt the screwdriver to pull the circlip into position.
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Old 08-06-18, 01:22 PM
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Originally Posted by nlerner
my technique is to put the opposite end of the axle in a vice, and then i hold one end of the circlip down with a thumb while i use a very small screwdriver to pry the opposite side into place. It usually takes a couple of tries, but i haven't had to swear much.
+1!
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Old 08-06-18, 08:36 PM
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A little looseness is the norm AFAIK. Allows for imperfect chainlines to some extent.
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Old 08-07-18, 05:25 AM
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Originally Posted by rhm
Graham, maybe you left out a spacer? Is the cog loose, or is it really the actual clip that is loose?

The circlip is the same as on many other hubs, including coaster brake hubs. Any bike shop that deals with one-speed coaster brake hubs should have a drawer full of those clips.
Thanks RHM -- my fault for referring to a different circlip. The one for the cog is no problem -- the challenging one for me is the small circlip on the axle that acts as a stop for the planet cage. The hub I'm working on is a 1989 AWC 3-speed with coaster brake. I can find some of these for sale in the UK but the shipping is $42 for a 39 cent part!

Graham
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Old 08-07-18, 05:29 AM
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Originally Posted by grahamtillotson
Thanks RHM -- my fault for referring to a different circlip. The one for the cog is no problem -- the challenging one for me is the small circlip on the axle that acts as a stop for the planet cage. The hub I'm working on is a 1989 AWC 3-speed with coaster brake. I can find some of these for sale in the UK but the shipping is $42 for a 39 cent part!

Graham
Oh, ah! Sorry, I cannot help you there.
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Old 09-05-18, 07:00 AM
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Quick response to my own post -- found a replacement circlip for the axle at the local ACE hardware store. One of those situations in which I was overthinking and assumed the part was a specialty item!

Graham
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Old 09-17-18, 08:10 PM
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Just a follow up on this one -- did an end-to-end overhaul of the hub one more time and it is fantastic. Very smooth and solid as a commuter bike. The overall project looks like this:
  • Old Raleigh Robin Hood Frame
  • Rebuilt 700c wheels with alloy rims
  • Single brake in the front
  • 1989 SA 3-speed coaster brake hub in the back
Very smooth and durable. At some point I may swap out the cottered cranks for square taper ones, but for now the bike runs great.

Graham


Last edited by grahamtillotson; 09-17-18 at 08:16 PM. Reason: Adding photo
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