I don't like to be contrary and bicker with fellow members, but this is simply bad information. Pawls can't become "stripped out" and they don't "engage the axle."

Very, very, very, very--- rarely--- a pawl breaks (I've seen it twice in thousands of freewheels serviced). Other than the pawls becoming stuck in the closed position (i.e. the freewheel freewheels in both directions) due to old grease, too much grease, corrosion or other contaminant, they do not fail.

The pawls (which are attached to the inner body of the freewheel) do not engage the axle, they engage the ratchet teeth or notches on the inside of the outer body of the freewheel (however, with that said, Cyclo 64 and Competition freewheels do this in reverse).

If enough grit, or if a bearing breaks, or in the very, very, very rare case of a pawl breaking, the ratchet teeth or notches can become scored or even damaged. I always inspect them for damage and occasionally use a drum sander on the Dremel to smooth out a rough spot. However, I've never seen the ratchet teeth or notches "stripped out."

@Spaghetti Legs you don't mention if you've removed the sprockets and examined the back side which can't be seen while the sprockets are mounted (with the exception of the largest one). In my experience on Shimano UG freewheels is that the top side can look nearly pristine and never used, while the back side show significant wear. Unfortunately Shimano 600 and DA sprockets can't be flipped and run in the opposite direction.