Does freewheel need replacing or cleaning?

Developed a problem with my SS freewheel last week and not sure whether it needs replacing or cleaning. Basically, if I pedal backwards or freewheel and then pedal forwards, the sprocket doesn't lock and I'm perpetually pedalling the chainring with no effect on the rear wheel.

I'm forced to get off and muck about with the pedals until the sprocket eventually locks. I've been lazy with cleaning the bike this summer so the mechanism is probably gunked up, but is this usually a sign then the freewheel needs replacing?

If it does need replacing, then I'm somehow ragging through a new drivetrain every 12 months!

Either the pawls are sticking down, so gummed up with crap and quick fix is to blast the freewheel out with an aerosol then squirt some oil in it, could do this on the wheel.
Could be a broken pawl spring, only way to find out is to open the freewheel up.

Could be the pawls are damaged/worn down so not engaging, quick clean might reveal that.
If it's a cheap dicta/SA then just get a new one.

Yeah, it's a Dicta, but I didn't realise how cheap they were. Might as well get it replaced! Cheers for the advice.

+1 for a rinse through with some WD40 or other gunk-dissolving/displacing spray, then an oiling. This link tells you how to do it for old-school multi-speed freewheels and the principle is the same for SS.

This one isn't bad if you have a 1/8 chain.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DNP-BIKE-BICYCLE-FREEWHEEL-16T-TOOTH-SINGLE-SPEED-FIXIE-NEW-FREE-P-P/262927362917?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Cheap freewheels aren't sealed so crap gets into them and they die sooner or later.

I used to reliably get 2 years out of the SA ones, which isn't bad considering how cheap they are. Considered an eno or clickster at one point but didn't want anything super loud.

Yeah, I suggested to my gf that I might get the Clickster, to which she tutted loudly. I've decided to replace with a Sturmey because I've got to sort this out on a lunch break and it'll be quicker to replace the thing rather than clean one.

Thanks all for the help! Glad to be learning more repair skillz too.

A clicking freewheel is a super safety feature, being a great non-verbal way to communicate to pedestrians.

If you have a grinder, there is nothing more fun than cutting a old freewheel and freeing all the tiny ball bearings from their circular metal prison.

This thing won't budge. Is removing the axle an essential step?

Excuse my naïvety!

Have you got the right tool? Like one of the ones shown here. Keeping the axle in can be useful because it means you can use a large washer and nut/skewer to hold the tool into the freewheel so it doesn't slip out when you're heaving on it with a spanner.

I got a Birzman BMX Freewheel Remover tool which is ever so slightly too big, which I think is my problem. It's slipping out.

Can't bear the bus any more so running down to Brixton Cycles after work in the hope that they'll let me borrow the right tool. I've got everything else on me except that!

Probably you forgot to use the nut to keep the tool on.

1. Put tool against freewheel
   
2. screw on nut so tool isn't going anywhere.
   
3. apply incredible force with 12 inch adjustable and maybe foot.
   
4. profit.
   

12-inch adjustable and foot? But 12 inches is a foot...

Noted. Ordered the correct SA tool from Jozef's and going in for a second try.

Finally done it. Definitely needed the right tool but a nut over the top was the perfect touch.

Thanks all for your help, can finally get back on the bike now!

suggested to my gf that I might get the Clickster, to which she tutted loudly.

Ironic.

+1rep, that is good.