Originally Posted by
pastorbobnlnh
....
One thing to keep in mind is that the grease Sachs used on these freewheels turns into a sticky peanut butter consistency. They flooded the interior of the body with grease (as opposed to grease in the races only). NOS Sachs and Sachs-Maillards are often non-functional because the pawls are stuck in the old contaminated grease. Of course a proper servicing can correct this condition and you will have an exceptional freewheel to use afterwards.
a bit off-topic maybe, but I used the Sachs (or Sachs-Maillard?) 7 speed freewheels on my commuting bike, circa 2001 or so. Very nicely made, but that grease was a problem in very cold weather. It was really too thick for this sort of use, and the pawls wouldn't engage after coasting. Nothing like being out amongst the cornfields in 20F temperatures and having the freewheel refuse to transfer any torque!
Fortunately, it wasn't hard to flush with some WD-40 and dribble motor oil into the freewheel.
Steve in Peoria