freewheel lube
 

I've got an early 90's mtb. Zinn and the art of mtb maintenance recommends lubing the freewheel by dripping chain lube in its inside while spinning it. Eventually, lube drips out the other end, and you know it is adequately lubed. Does it matter what lube I use? I did this once with pedro's ice wax, and I'm wondering if a waxy buildup on the inside could occur/be a bad thing?

I just use a small bottle of chain lube with a straw (it's attached). That's what my LBS recommended and uses themselves.

Ice Wax "sets up" and stops moving and I don't think that's what you want for this task. SynLube would be a much better choice. You want to use a "wet" lube - not a "dry" lube like Ice Wax. It might work, but, yes, it will build up.

I've used regular drip oil in a can or teflon chain lube. As Sheldon Brown points out somewhere on his site, the freewheel is the least important bearing on a bike, because it is only turning when you're NOT pedaling (so that the loads on it are very low). Basically, just keep it clean and lubed and it won't seize up and you'll never have to worry about the freewheel :)

Phil Wood Tenacious Oil is about the best lube for freewheels that I've found.

A light machine oil is best. I use "Nyoil" -
http://www.grobetusa.com/ProductDescriptions/nyoil.html
SunTour warned never to use grease inside freewheels as it could cause sticky drive pawls.

Thanks for the replies, folks. I've actually got some synlube buried somewhere waiting for the wet weather, so I'll use that instead.

Dont use wax, that stuff won't last more then 60 miles! I used Speed Skate Lube on mine after it started making noise 6 months after I bought it and it hasn't made a peep for 3 years! Speed Skate Lube is intended for bearings all those other lubes folks mentioned is for chains...you decide.

It really doesn't matter, I've had freewheels that have gone years on an occasional squirt of WD40.

WD40 is good for flushing out the crap. I follow up with some std bike oil.

How can you tell that it's the best?

Well, experience I guess. Been cycling & wrenching for over 20 years mostly on bikes with freewheels. I've tried a lot of lubes & found Phil's to keep the freewheels pretty smooth in a wide range of conditions- heat, cold, wet, icy. The viscosity seems to fit the bill for freewheel lubrication better than any other lube I've tried.

Of course I have not tried every lube available, though. Maybe in another 20 years.
;)

Yes, nothing that might leave 'deposits' in the body/mechanism. Tenacious Oil is good, but just about any machine oil will do. If you 'lube' til the stuff runs out the back, then let the freewheel sit for a few hours to drain the rest of the excess. You're better off with just the light coating on the bearings and pawls that remains after a good draining. Extra oil in the body will just cake faster and attract more dirt.
'Work' the freewheel while lubing to distribute the oil better and you won't have to apply as much.
I have freewheels that are still getting regular use that are in the 25 to 30+ yr old range, and seem to be as smooth as when new/broken in. With changes on the most used cogs (when available), a decent freewheel has a hugely long service life.
I do recommend 'cleaning' the freewheel (I use WD40) after a solid ride in wet conditions, and relubing. The freewheel is one of the places that moisture seems to gravitate to as fine water spray envelopes the ride/machina on a wet road. Water tends to make oils (and other lubricants) 'cake' cause of the dirt it carries in. Clean and lube after a wet ride for best performance and longevity.

BTW - all my wheelsets are still using freewheels - no cassettes