Originally Posted by
garage sale GT
Soak it in a solvent like diesel fuel or mineral spirits, then when it's free, spray it full of white lithium aerosol grease. This stuff will require several applications as it goes on thin, then dries but loses volume. The grease injector would overcome this difficulty but your shop may not have one.
It is definitely very important to get grease in there because it's what stops the fw from getting full of grit as well as providing lubrication.
Grease is specifically what you
DON'T WANT in a freewheel. A freewheel only needs light lubrication because there are never moving parts under load. There' motion when you coast, but no load, and when you put a load on it while pedaling the ratchet engages and the freewheel moves as a unit.
After soaking and flushing with solvent, shake it out as well as possible. If you fon't have any time, tie a rope to it through the hole and go outside and spin it dry. Then apply a heavy sticky oil like Phil Tenacious or my stuff, and let it work in. I do this with the freewheel on a paper towel and know it'sm oiled when the oil starts to drain through the back.
The entire job or washing, rinsing, drying and oiling a freewheel takes about an hour or less so you should be in good shape.