Ratchet slipping -

[RnR]

One of my late '70's vintage Craftsman ratchets is not staying locked up and occasionally slips. Is this condition easily repairable? I've never known how to maintain these things and perhaps the solution is fairly straight forward.

Not really liking the idea of seeking a replacement of this USA made tool... if you know what I mean.

 

[pcoxe]

Probably just dirt, rust, or grease in the head keeping the ratchet toggle mechanism from locking up correctly. Try taking it apart if there is an accessible snap ring, or try washing out the head with penetrating oil to free it up.

 

[The_Jeff]

Sears rebuilds these, or they let you trade on another rebuilt one.

You may have to break it worse, if you know what I mean.

 

[lipadj46]

Seriously? Open it up and clean the parts, lightly grease and reassemble. If that does not do it go to sears and ask for a rebuild kit. If they can't rebuild it try to get a thin profile ratchet as the new raised panel ratchets are complete and utter garbage. If they won't do that just find a rebuild kit online or on ebay.

It's sad really because with the quality of craftsman tools available today the lifetime warranty is more or less useless. Turn in your nice 70' and 80's quality cman tools and get garbage in return.

 

[RnR]

I got all of my ratchets together and gave the mechanisms a good soaking with PBlaster and a decent workout... and I believe things are looking up.

I guess the 30-year old grease was plenty stiff and likely causing the issue. I will probably follow-up with a MMO piston soak over night and see if all the ring packs fully loosen up - then drain and refill with MPC SL-10 Oil Can Lube (which has a little white grease in it) for the next OCI. ;

Surprising what a little tool maintenance can do - even without cracking 'em open!

Probably a good thing as I couldn't find where the filter was hiding either...

 

[XS650]

Originally Posted By: RnR
One of my late '70's vintage Craftsman ratchets is not staying locked up and occasionally slips. Is this condition easily repairable? I've never known how to maintain these things and perhaps the solution is fairly straight forward.

Not really liking the idea of seeking a replacement of this USA made tool... if you know what I mean.



I just exchanged my 70s vintage Craftsman 3/8 ratchet for a rebuilt a few months ago. The tighten loosen side pawl in the ratchet mechanism was worn down.
Here's a diagram of a similar wrench.
Ratchet parts

 

[XS650]

Originally Posted By: RnR
then drain and refill with MPC SL-10 Oil Can Lube (which has a little white grease in it) for the next OCI. ;

Surprising what a little tool maintenance can do - even without cracking 'em open!

Probably a good thing as I couldn't find where the filter was hiding either...

 

[Kestas]

I recommend using a light grease to relube the mechanism after disassembly and cleaning. Too heavy a grease can preclude good pawl engagement.

 

[Tempest]

I used a lite gun grease when I serviced my ratchets and it was much better than factory.

I have also used SL-10 in the past and it worked well.

Be VERY careful of the small ball bearing and spring that hold the selector switch in place. They are under pressure and easy to loose.

 

[RnR]

Should my "Soak 'n Pray" method fail to be totally curative... I'll look at actual dis-assembly; but for the moment I'm taking the easier route for lack of direct experience of dealing with those spring(s). It does appear to be engaging better though.

There's some MMO sitting in the ratchet(s) for now, and that will be replaced by the SL-10 in the AM.

My bad for waiting so many years to do this, should have known that my Craftsman tools are now valuable domestic (USA) heirlooms!

 

[Kestas]

After 30 years, grease oxidises and gets hard. Anybody that has cleaned and relubed automotive door lockplates appreciates this.

 

[JHZR2]

Are we avoiding the assumption that some of the ratchet innards are stripped and preventing engagement? Ive broken a few cheapos, and they will still kind-of work until too much torque is put on it.

 

[RnR]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Are we avoiding the assumption that some of the ratchet innards are stripped and preventing engagement?

Likely so - but I'm not a heavy wrencher either.

Time will tell about adequate latch/lock-up under significant and repeated torque loads but I'm presently satisfied that the soak process has indeed improved their operating condition. I don't mean to imply that the interiors are squeaky clean now, because they probably aren't... but the operating surfaces have been improved.

 

[Kestas]

The tool would be best served by spending the 15 minutes it takes to disassemble, clean, inspect, and relube the mechanism.

 

[Tempest]

The Craftsman ratchets I have can have the bottom plate removed without fear of parts flying everywhere. Just take the plate off and you can inspect the parts. If you need to, hit it with a real solvent and get some of the SL-10 in there.

Go EASY on the lube as it is free to run out of the wrench. This is one reason I went with a lite grease rather than the SL-10, but it's better than nothing. MMO is VERY light and won't provide a lot of protection.