Spring/ball under directional switch seized!!

[Raise]

So I just found a NOS old school 84 tooth GW 1/2” flex ratchet that I picked up. This is still the one with the “84 TOOTH” laser etched into the head, not the newer one with “84T” stamped into the head. I’ve been looking for one for a while because I have it in 1/4 and 3/8 and I love the ratchets. Its still in the packaging so it seems to have not been used, but you know how the packaging was then, just a plastic tag, nothing protecting the tool itself, so I assume it’s been thrown around and whatnot. Anyway, it’s feeling rough so I tear into it only to find the ball that sits on the spring underneath the directional switch, recessed and seized in place!!! When I say recessed, it was not locking the switch in place at all, free spinning. I sprayed some Napa Super Penetrating Catalyst in the hole and let it sit for a while, still seized. I took a pick to see if I could knock it loose, then a very small punch. Well, my thinking with the punch was that if I knocked it downward, the spring would at least try to decompress and bring the ball back to the top. Nope, i just jammed it down even more. I sprayed some more catalyst in there and im gona let it sit overnight and see what happens tomorrow. Warranty is not an option because the it’s a discontinued model and I’ll just get a new style replacement, which I don’t want. Anyone have any other thoughts or ideas? I realize the punch was probably not smart, but here I am

 

[Snip's]

My $0.02

Give it a rest in a heated ultrasonic bath with degreaser...
The old oil in the spring plunger has probably gummed up the action...
See if it softens up the old oil and releases the ball back into proper position...
If so, flush out the degreaser with IPA and re-oil..

 

[whateg01]

Does it feel wedged in place? Or is there just a bunch of gummed up oil holding it? A rare earth magnet can sometimes lift steel parts out of a hole that you can't get ahold of.

 

[Raise]

My $0.02

Give it a rest in a heated ultrasonic bath with degreaser...
The old oil in the spring plunger has probably gummed up the action...
See if it softens up the old oil and releases the ball back into proper position...
If so, flush out the degreaser with IPA and re-oil..

Thanks for the help buddy. I dont have access to an US unit, but I can always soak it in a hot water and degreaser solution. Does this sound like the next best thing?

 

[Raise]

Does it feel wedged in place? Or is there just a bunch of gummed up oil holding it? A rare earth magnet can sometimes lift steel parts out of a hole that you can't get ahold of.

Oh it’s definitely wedged. I tried a magnet and no luck, it’s wedged in and it’s kinda deep. Also, it being wedged makes me wonder how any of the solution is going to make its way past the ball

 

[whateg01]

If that's the case, a sharp blow against a block of wood may dislodge it unless you managed to get it too stuck driving it deeper with the punch.

 

[RTM]

Put the head in a baggie, tape it closed. Take a swinging whack, hit it on a 2x4 on edge. Might cause the ball to move outward. Or maybe drop it on the wood on its head, from a reasonable height. Anything to give it that hard stop in the right direction. The baggie is there in case it works.

 

[vssjim]

I have done a few of those that were given to me by somebody that was horrible on tools. That is not a ball in that hole it is a spring and a pointed type of cup covering the spring if you get a rebuild kit from GearWrench you will see what I mean. I looks like the one in the direction lever where is contacts the pawl. I take a Dremel tool with a ball and just touch it until it grinds though and just leaves a tube which you can pull out with a pick tool as once just a hollow tube it comes out fairly easy. Don't be concerned with touching the ratchet head it will just chamfer the drilled hole and actually works better.

 

[Steve_P]

I have done a few of those that were given to me by somebody that was horrible on tools. That is not a ball in that hole it is a spring and a pointed type of cup covering the spring if you get a rebuild kit from GearWrench you will see what I mean. I looks like the one in the direction lever where is contacts the pawl. I take a Dremel tool with a ball and just touch it until it grinds though and just leaves a tube which you can pull out with a pick tool as once just a hollow tube it comes out fairly easy. Don't be concerned with touching the ratchet head it will just chamfer the drilled hole and actually works better.

This is correct. It's a small diameter pointed cylinder with a hole bored in the opposite side that the spring fits in. There is one of these subassemblies on each side of the direction switch. Not that it really matters as far as getting it out, but it's what you've already seen when you took out the pawl.

 

[geneg]

May not help on this one since several solutions have already been presented. When i get a ratchet that has been neglected or abused, I soak it in a jar of ATF or Marvel Mystery Oil for a few days before working on it. This disolves some of the gunk & makes disassembly easier. Also kick starts cleaning the components.

 

[larry_g]

I look at that and wonder, How did they manufacture that hole the ball is in? Is it a through hole from the swivel pin side? Could removing the head from the handle reveal the other end of that hole and give you some access to work in the hole or drop it all out the other side?

lg
no neat sig line

 

[vssjim]

I look at that and wonder, How did they manufacture that hole the ball is in? Is it a through hole from the swivel pin side? Could removing the head from the handle reveal the other end of that hole and give you some access to work in the hole or drop it all out the other side?

lg
no neat sig line

it is a slanted hole and is drilled across that face down in to the pawl hole

 

[KnurledNut]

I would turn the head 90° facing down and beat it like a hammer against a solid metal surface.
It already moved when you pushed it in, so its not stuck that bad.

 

[Raise]

Update

I have done a few of those that were given to me by somebody that was horrible on tools. That is not a ball in that hole it is a spring and a pointed type of cup covering the spring if you get a rebuild kit from GearWrench you will see what I mean. I looks like the one in the direction lever where is contacts the pawl. I take a Dremel tool with a ball and just touch it until it grinds though and just leaves a tube which you can pull out with a pick tool as once just a hollow tube it comes out fairly easy. Don't be concerned with touching the ratchet head it will just chamfer the drilled hole and actually works better.

Interesting. What would you say this cup is made of? I was considering using a drill bit because i dont know of any dremel attachment that can fit into this hole

 

[vssjim]

Update


Interesting. What would you say this cup is made of? I was considering using a drill bit because i dont know of any dremel attachment that can fit into this hole

it is very thin formed steel but it's shape doesn't lend to trying to drill. I use a ball end bit on use it side ways and down it cuts through the metal fast and does touch the housing but not enough to cause a problem

 

[Raise]

it is very thin formed steel but it's shape doesn't lend to trying to drill. I use a ball end bit on use it side ways and down it cuts through the metal fast and does touch the housing but not enough to cause a problem

Thanks man. I’m not sure if a ball will work though. Unfortunately, the picture I posted was before I tried using the punch, so it’s further down than the picture shows. I know what you’re saying, and it’s a darn good idea, but if I go in sideways, I’m thinking the Dremel shaft will make contact with the housing before the ball can reach the cup. Does that make sense?

 

[vssjim]

Thanks man. I’m not sure if a ball will work though. Unfortunately, the picture I posted was before I tried using the punch, so it’s further down than the picture shows. I know what you’re saying, and it’s a darn good idea, but if I go in sideways, I’m thinking the Dremel shaft will make contact with the housing before the ball can reach the cup. Does that make sense?

don't know how you will drill it being pointed on top but you need to get a hole in the top to pull it out

 

[cherrybomb]

How about a vibration tool of some kind after a real soaking overnight and then the bag trick