Bicycle Mechanics - Problem w/ Sturmey S2C kickback hub

When I ride in the big gear "most resistance while pedalling", the hub continuously acts as if it wants to shift to the easy gear but cant. It's as if the gears are switching back and forth. Then once I get the big gear going it feels as if there is alot of friction from the internals once I start coasting. It also makes a much louder clicking sound, ALOT LOUDER. Anyone have any experience with these hubs? Can these hubs be adjusted by spinning the coaster brake arm? Any help is much appreciated. Thanks

When I ride in the big gear "most resistance while pedalling", the hub continuously acts as if it wants to shift to the easy gear but cant. It's as if the gears are switching back and forth. Then once I get the big gear going it feels as if there is alot of friction from the internals once I start coasting. It also makes a much louder clicking sound, ALOT LOUDER. Anyone have any experience with these hubs? Can these hubs be adjusted by spinning the coaster brake arm? Any help is much appreciated. Thanks
Well, the first gear is direct, so there should be no ratcheting sound, but second is an overdrive gear, so a steady ratcheting sound while pedalling is normal.
I have one of these, the coaster brake version just like yours, and I've not noticed any tendancy to do unwanted shifts, but I am experiencing non normal pinging sounds in high gear in addition to the normal ratcheting sounds and noisy brake applications, but it does not seem to affect the performance any.
It is possible that the bearing adjustment is either too loose or too tight. This may affect shifting performance and the ability to hold in gear.
Do you have any play in the wheel, or does it seem to have excessive drag? If so, a bearing adjustment may be in order, but that's a little more involved than rotating the coaster brake arm.
The good news is that if the hub fails, Sturmey Archer will replace it.
Check out the discussion on Sunrace Sturmey Archer's Facebook page. Lots of discussion there about this hub.

Well, the first gear is direct, so there should be no ratcheting sound, but second is an overdrive gear, so a steady ratcheting sound while pedalling is normal.
I have one of these, the coaster brake version just like yours, and I've not noticed any tendancy to do unwanted shifts, but I am experiencing non normal pinging sounds in high gear in addition to the normal ratcheting sounds and noisy brake applications, but it does not seem to affect the performance any.
It is possible that the bearing adjustment is either too loose or too tight. This may affect shifting performance and the ability to hold in gear.
Do you have any play in the wheel, or does it seem to have excessive drag? If so, a bearing adjustment may be in order, but that's a little more involved than rotating the coaster brake arm.
The good news is that if the hub fails, Sturmey Archer will replace it.
Check out the discussion on Sunrace Sturmey Archer's Facebook page. Lots of discussion there about this hub.
Thanks for the reply. The ratcheting sound is fine in high gear while pedalling. It's when I coast on the high gear that the very loud ratcheting (almost sounds like grinding) begins. I did notice while I was building the wheel that the hub didn't spin as freely as it should. Since you mentioned the pinging sound, I've also heard that once or twice but just figured it was a result of the initial problems. Anyone else have these problems and had them resolved? What did you do?

maybe your chain tension? not familiar with the s2c, but the bendix hub on my wife's cruiser pings and pops if the chain is too tight.