Id take off the freewheel and flush out the bearings, re lube[all without dismantling F/W],
if there is a bent axle once wheel is is off the bike you can see .. its like rolling a pool cue to see which one is not warped.

once the Freewheel is off then the spoke protector can be removed whole..

then you have to make sure the lo side strok limit screws stay in adjustment, or the chain will chew up spokes.