I'm servicing an old 5-speed freewheel bike and want to service the bearings. first time for me servicing a freewheel (NOT FREEHUB!)

I removed NDS cone but the axle doesn't come out. it looks like i have to remove the freewheel to get the axle out (to ultimately remove the bearings). But i don't have a freewheel removal tool (only have free-hub tool) and don't want to buy one since i hope to work on more modern bikes.

Is there a different way to remove the freewheel? I saw some destructive videos, but I need to keep the freewheel intact. Or is there a way to remove the axle and service the cup/cones on drive side?

This is a free bike (quite rusty) and I plan to restore and sell for cheap or give away fro free. so don't want to spend $ on tools and material. On the other hand i don't feel good not cleaning and lubing the bearings. NDS ball bearings are dirty and dry, so a cleaning and lubing is in order.

Sorry if this sounds like a stupid question. I didn't want to use force, and all Google gave me are freehub videos etc. because people that show a video of freehub service allegedly don't know the difference and call it freewheel

You can often remove the NDS cones and pull the axle out of the DS side.

My guess is your axle has a grease seal on the right cone. Was there a grease seal attached to the left cone?

You could probably pound the cone out of the grease seal, but you won't have very good access to anything.

Assuming this is a modern splined freewheel, it is time to break down and buy the tool, or find someone to borrow one from.

For freewheels, you only need the tool to remove the freewheel, and can put it back on without the tool, so you could do a quick run to a bike shop or bike co-op.

Bike co-op in Madison https://freewheelbikes.org/open-shop/ Do it yourself for free with some guidance (though if not a member I would strongly suggest a small donation).

Or...take the wheel to the LBS and have them remove the freewheel. You don't need the tool to put the freewheel back on.

Dan

Don't pound on anything - it may be a nut that is too large to fit though the freewheel opening.

I don't see how you're going to overhaul a hub even if you could get the axle out with the freewheel in the way. There's no way to clean out all the old grease.

For freewheels that I don't own, or want to own the tool for, I take the wheel in and have the LBS remove it. Never paid more than $5 for them to remove it. As said, no tool needed to reinstall it.

it seems to be a Falcon freewheel requiring the FR-7. Cost a bit under $7. i have a second bicycle to refurbish (very same bike, except the female version, so I assume same freewheel.

Yeah if I go to the co-op I should pay them something, and it is a few miles, so almost cheaper to buy the tool. The owner of the nearest LBs is a bit grumpy unless you are ready to buy a bike, so I tread going there unless i have no choice.

Edit: NDS has that black "dome" that looks like a rubber seal, but it is all metal and ot removable.

Those guys are great. They also have bins of parts, and a box for donations.

Have to check them out some time. Family and career keep me from volunteering at a coop etc. (Need to do stuff on my own schedule since I only have time unexpectedly and at random times).

That's a good reason to buy the tool. You have it when you need it.
Likely, it'll also fit a Shimano FW too. They are "kind of" interchangeable.

There's also a Free Bikes For Kids program in Madison that operates seasonally. I volunteered as a "mechanic" last year, and my kids helped out too, but I wasn't able to participate this year. Still, they have very flexible time slots.

I've used the Falcon tool in a Shimano hub. I can't remember if I tried the reverse.

My wife is an accountant, so during tax season I'm a "single parent" for practical purposes. Right now my 6 year daughter is reading books, so I could sneak into the garage and remove the freewheel (tool came today).
So driving all over town and volunteering would not work. I only get a few hours of "free time" every week during tax season, and rather ride my bike (don't have enough time for that as is). Maybe late at night when she sleeps I can tinker a bit around, but I definitely can't go somewhere to volunteer. if you don't have kids or other dependents, and/or are retired... yes sounds like a good program to volunteer for.

That's completely understandable. I was just throwing some options out there.