I took off the stock 16 tooth freewheel and replaced it with a 17t for a lower gear ratio and to my horror the threads were completely dry. Ouch!
For those that don't know this is a high torque area and if no grease is used after time, dirt and rain etc when you go to remove the gear it can take the threads off right with it!
Scary. So anyway if you got the tools and the time you should pull the freewheel (7spd or 1spd) and check.
By the way there was no grease on the bolted axle or the torque washer retainer screw.
Stock freewheel removed. No grease.
Use a good and liberal amount of quality grease.