Freewheel lubrication
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Freewheel lubrication
What do you use to lubricate your freewheels? Just gave 12 or so of mine a bath in mineral spirits then flushed with synthetic 5w-30 because that's what I had on hand.
What do you use?
What do you use?
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 701
Bikes: 1984 Bianchi Tipo Corsa, 1985 Cannondale SM600 (24/26)
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 235 Post(s)
Liked 349 Times
in
190 Posts
I started a similar thread a month or so ago. Based on responses, I tried "Bar and Chain" oil (for chainsaws). So far it has been working great.
Likes For Bianchi84:
#5
señor miembro
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 6,626
Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3888 Post(s)
Liked 6,485 Times
in
3,209 Posts
I used to do this when I first started overhauling bikes. I stopped when I realized I was flushing out all the good lube and replacing with oil that doesn't last at all.
So, I no longer flush freewheels. If they don't spin, I'll spray the most minimal (tiny and thin) amount of wd-40 in them and spin. They usually spin well right away. Maybe push some real thick, regular lube (Park Tools or whatever) into the back side ring of bearings. If they don't respond well afterwards, I toss 'em or sell.
So, I no longer flush freewheels. If they don't spin, I'll spray the most minimal (tiny and thin) amount of wd-40 in them and spin. They usually spin well right away. Maybe push some real thick, regular lube (Park Tools or whatever) into the back side ring of bearings. If they don't respond well afterwards, I toss 'em or sell.
#6
Senior Member
Phil Wood Tenacious Oil for me. I have a bottle specifically for this purpose.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 2,109
Bikes: Trek 800 x 2, Schwinn Heavy Duti, Schwinn Traveler, Schwinn Le Tour Luxe, Schwinn Continental, Cannondale M400 and Lambert, Schwinn Super Sport
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 809 Post(s)
Liked 1,023 Times
in
665 Posts
It it is a good freewheel, like SunTour or Shimano, I'll rebuild it. Yes, take it apart, corral all the tiny little ball bearings and clean it all up and grease the bearing races and put just a tiny dab on the pawls. And put it back together usually with the slimmest shim removed.
I am obsessive and don't have time to do many things that I need to do, but for this, I do it.
If I had a therapist, I sure that would be one of the many issues they would be working on with me.
I am obsessive and don't have time to do many things that I need to do, but for this, I do it.
If I had a therapist, I sure that would be one of the many issues they would be working on with me.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 13,043
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Mentioned: 267 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4512 Post(s)
Liked 6,382 Times
in
3,669 Posts
Marvel Mystery oil, minimal flush, then refill with 20-50 racing oil has freed up many sticky, grindy specimen to live for years and 100's, 1000's? of miles.