BMX freewheel is being weird

[Tj Poseno]

The freewheel on my BLX bike is being weird, sometimes, and completely random, the freewheel doesnt
engage the chain just goes around and around but nothing happens, then it will click in, and ill be
able to move. I was on a ride I left it did it for a little while and the next four hours nothing,
and it doing it again. anyone know the problem, does it need to be lubed?

 

[Paul Southworth]

In article <[email protected]>, TJ Poseno <[email protected]> wrote:
>The freewheel on my BLX bike is being weird, sometimes, and completely random, the freewheel doesnt
>engage the chain just goes around and around but nothing happens, then it will click in, and ill be
>able to move. I was on a ride I left it did it for a little while and the next four hours nothing,
>and it doing it again. anyone know the problem, does it need to be lubed?

If the pawls are gummy, lube should help. If there is some other kind of failure inside the
freewheel then lube may not help at all and you'd need to replace it. If the freewheel breaks free
at the wrong moment (eg, when you stand up to hammer the pedals) you can easily face plant on the
road so take care (or replace it).

--Paul

 

[Chris Zacho "Th]

The innards are gunked up, the pawls are not engaging the toothed ring that surrounds them.
(basically, your clutch is jammed)

You can sometimes fix this simply by removing the freewheel from the hub and giving it a good bath
in degreaser. Spin it around while it's soaking to agitate the insides as much as possible. Then
take it out, get as much of the degreaser as you can out of it and relube with a light oil, such
as 3 in 1.

If this doesn't fix it, you may have to take it apart. If you don't know how, ask your LBS.

May you have the wind at your back. And a really low gear for the hills! Chris

Chris'Z Corner "The Website for the Common Bicyclist": http://www.geocities.com/czcorner

 

[Tj Poseno]

I took off the wheel and I ran some WD-40 through ti because I know how it washes away grease, the i
added soem light oil. its fine now, thanks!