How to Remove Rust from the Freewheel of a Bike

The bicycle freewheel allows you to coast while riding. It is imperative to clean away rust as soon as you notice it on your freewheel. The freewheel utilizes a ratchet mechanism that engages the rear sprocket to turn the wheel when you pedal forward. It also lets the wheel spin freely when the sprocket has not been engaged. If your freewheel gets rusty or corroded, it can impact the ability of the rear wheel to spin smoothly. The sprocket and freewheel screw onto the external threads of the hub.

Things You'll Need

  • Large adjustable box wrench
  • Splined freewheel puller socket
  • Citrus based degreaser cleaner
  • Bucket
  • Towel
  • Chamois cloths
  • Small steel bristled brush
  • Rag
  • Water
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the retainer nut from each end of the threaded axle bolt on the rear wheel of your bicycle with the box wrench. Pull the wheel straight back and away from the frame of your bicycle.

    • 2

      Stand up and position the wheel between your legs. Slide the freewheel puller socket onto the remaining retainer nut.

    • 3

      Turn the freewheel puller socket 360 degrees in a counterclockwise direction with the large adjustable box wrench.

    • 4

      Release the wrench from the freewheel puller socket and rotate the freewheel puller socket counterclockwise until the freewheel comes free from the threaded bolt. Slide out the bolt.

    • 5

      Pour some citrus-based de-greaser into a bucket. Examine the springs on the ends of the threaded bolt to see if they are rusty or dirty. If they are, lower them into your bucket and allow them to soak for two minutes.

    • 6

      Remove the springs from the bucket and rinse them off with water. Dry the springs with a chamois cloth. Reattach the springs to the bolt and set the bolt aside. Sit down and lay a towel over your lap.

    • 7

      Lower your brush into the bucket to soak the bristles in citrus cleaner. Lift your brush out of the bucket and thoroughly scrub between the teeth in the cogs of the freewheel.

    • 8

      Grab the corner of a rag in one hand and close your other hand around the corner of the rag tightly. Pull the rag through your closed hand. Insert the tip of the rag between a cog and pull the ends of the cloth back and forth repeatedly. Clean every cog in this manner.

    • 9

      Fold the rag in half and close one hand tightly around the fold. Pull the fold through your closed hand and dip the folded tip into the citrus cleaner. Clean the cogs again using the same method detailed previously. Wipe down the hub after cleaning the cogs.

    • 10

      Rinse the areas you just cleaned with water and dry all surfaces thoroughly with a clean, dry chamois cloth.