Originally Posted by
noglider
I'm guessing @
Velocivixen can emerge as @
pastorbobnlnh's apprentice in freewheel mastery.
I enjoy lots of bike maintenance jobs, but the two or three times I've overhauled bearings or pawls on freewheels, I did not enjoy myself. If I should ever need to do this, I plan to enlist the help of one of the two masters.
my only experience is with Suntour and Shimano freewheels, and honestly, they're so simple. Cleaning & drying takes the longest time. For the bearings on the bottom race with that thin line of grease to hold the bearings I've found that using a small paint brush with grease on it is great for picking up the bearings & placing them. I don't wear gloves during this part, because you need fine dexterity. Sometimes the freewheel is still attached to the wheels and others, it's off the wheel.
I also love pedal overhauls. Lots of people ignore their pedals or toss them and buy new. You can take the grittiest pedals and make them like silk again with a little work. It helps to have small fingers and a magnet pen (if that's what it's called).