Everybody, I'm really pleased with ALL your very helpful answers. I've stripped a Fichtel & Sachs Torpedo Duomatic (here is a photographic record for anyone who might find it useful - http://www.flickr.com/photos/2298367...7619127599926/ ) a few times but I'm a complete S.A. novice. Thank you very much! From your messages I now know there is something wrong with the hub and I can start doing something about it. The hub is on a 1938 Rudge which is in the garage half a mile from home. I shall go down tomorrow and fetch the wheel to work on in the comfort of my sitting room.

Bikamper:
It's the one in the middle and it screws into a couple of FMs and an FW I have with no problem. On the AW, it's like dangling it in a cup... there's nothing. Thanks for the thrust-key tip.

Southpawboston:
That's a very kind offer! I bought the AW hub for the Rudge as it was dirt cheap, 40 hole and looked unused. I would like very much to know how to work on an SA hub so I probably will strip it if I'm not fortunate enough to just have grime in there, like gbalke. I'll have a good look at it tomorrow and post what I find here.

Thanks again everyone!