I picked up a bike with a 6208 Freewheel that spins freely in both directions. It was very stiff; I flushed it on the hub with WD40 and got it freed up but still spins both ways. It starts to catch and then releases. How do I remove it from the hub and can it be repaired?

Thanks

My rule has been that when a freewheel stops working it's time to buy a new freewheel. You want 6-speed standard spacing for direct replacement.

Remove the old freewheel with a Park FR-1 freewheel tool and a stout wrench. It's lefty-loosey.

I'd be willing to bet it's been sitting so long that the grease has hardened and is causing the pawls to stick. This is common with whatever Shimano uses for grease.

I'd remove the freewheel (instructions here: https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-...ewheel-removal ), remove the seal on the back of the freewheel and thoroughly soak it in kerosene. After a good soaking, spin it to get the pawls working again. Then soak it again to wash out any particles of hardened grease. Lather, rinse, repeat until you're happy with the action. Then run some heavy oil into the bearings from the back side to keep it working. Snap the seal back on, reinstall the freewheel, go ride.

I don't think there's a seal on the back of that freewheel that can be removed without disassembling. Best bet is to leave it on the wheel. Hold the wheel perfectly horizontal so the freewheel is aimed up. Then use a pin-tool on the face-cover of the freewheel and spin clockwise to loosen and remove. Now you can have lots of room to spray WD-40 down into the guts. Spin and spray and wash all that dried up grease and dirt out the back side. Be careful not to pull up or you'll pull the freewheel apart and 10,000 little bearings will run away and never be found again.

After it's completely flushed and operational again, that is, it only freewheels in reverse, drip some heavy oil in there and put the cover back on.

I'm curious to know whether you replaced the freewheel or managed to clean it? I have the same problem with an old regina extra-bx and I am hoping to be able to clean it out instead of replacing it.

I'ld be interested also. Tonight on the way home my freewheel spun "freely" for several minutes before it engaged. I'ld rather not have to replace it.