I finally got around to opening the Alfine 11-speed hub. Inside everything looks pristine. There is no visible wear on the bearing surfaces. I haven't done any disassembly of the gear cluster as yet. It seems to me unlikely that there wouldn't at least be metal bits visible if the grinding noise was coming from inside the hub. I'm thinking of putting it back together.
Any thoughts are welcome!


Non-Drive-Side hub seal and bearing.



View from the Drive Side. Outer race shows no wear after 10,600 miles.



Non-Drive-Side inner race nicely polished but otherwise un-worn.



Oblique view of the NDS end of the gear cluster.



Side view of gear cluster.