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My FLF936 ***** :(

M

Metric

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Jun 23, 2008
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Ithaca, NY
Hi all! I have some problems with my newly acquired FLF936 and I'm hoping somebody out there can shed some light.

First of all, this is the least smooth ratchet I've ever tried in my life. The amount of torque required to make it ratchet is ridiculously large, making it almost unusable.
I did open it up, fully clean it and lube it with red permatex, but still nothing.
When I compare it to my red lubed FC936, which is one of my favorite ratchets, the difference is incredible!
When I compare it to my F80, it feels like I'm holding a breaker bar!

Secondly, no matter how much I tighten the pin screw, the head still feels a bit too floppy for high torque applications. Is this normal?
 
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F

Fedwrench

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None of your concerns would be considered operating as designed. How tight are the ratchet cover plate screws? You may want to back each one out a quarter to a half turn each and see if the ratchet action improves. It's possible but, unlikely that the coil steel washer is either missing or worn where the head attaches to the handle. You could remove the ratchet head and inspect it.
 
W

wrenchr

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Merkava_4 said:
I have an FLF936 and my observation is the extreme opposite of yours. Are you sure you're using Permatex 81950 - the red stuff?
Click to expand...

It has nothing to do with the goob, ****!!!:lol_hitti It sounds like it is plain worn out!!
 
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M

Metric

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Merkava_4: Yup, definitely the red Permatex, 81950 :) I'm using it in my FC936 and it's working great!

Fedwrench: Good call on the washer, it is indeed missing! The cover plate screws aren't too tight. I even tried the ratchet with the screws really loose, just to be sure, and then without the screws.

I'm actually really disappointed because the auction was for an FX936 and I *really* wanted the locking feature ...

Is it possible that I didn't put everything back the way it should be? Everything works, the direction lever and all, it's just harder to make ratchet than it should.
 
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M

Metric

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Update: I've just tried it without the little ball and it works a bit better.

Now that I look at it again, the spring looks pretty long. Any idea how long that spring is supposed to be? I don't have any other 936 to check and compare ...
 
M

Merkava_4

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Metric said:
Update: I've just tried it without the little ball and it works a bit better.

Now that I look at it again, the spring looks pretty long. Any idea how long that spring is supposed to be? I don't have any other 936 to check and compare ...
Click to expand...

The springs are supposed to be very long ... that's what puts the strong force onto the steel ball and prevents the pawl from slipping.

The reverse lever goes in first, followed by the spring and the steel ball. While you're pushing the ball compressing the spring all the way, you have to line up the slot of the pawl with the stem of the reverse lever with your other hand. It's fun.

Having the ratchet held in a vise and using the special service tool makes the operation a little easier.
 
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M

Metric

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Yup, exactly what I'm doing ...
Guess there's only one thing left for me to do: get an FX80 :lol_hitti
 
M

Merkava_4

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Metric said:
Any idea how long that spring is supposed to be? I don't have any other 936 to check and compare ...
Click to expand...

I got one and I measured the length as being a tad passed 11/16 inch. I've got the feeling the ratchet in question arrived to you assembled improperly by the previous owner.
 
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M

Metric

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I actually already opened a dispute. The guy took my money, never shipped anything and kept ignoring my messages.
I opened a Paypal dispute and he still kept ignoring my messages.
Almost two weeks after the end of the auction, on friday, I finally gave him a negative eBay feedback, and was thinking about waiting a couple more days and then closing the dispute.
He eventually mailed this ratchet on saturday (post mark on the box) while still avoid any communication!
I was going to get my money back, add to it and just get an FX80, but now I'm kinda stuck with a worn out(?) FLF936 :(

As to whether it was assembled improperly, it's possible. But I took it apart three times already and put it back together, and I feel like I'm doing it right. I mean, I've rebuilt other 936's before.

EDIT: Thanks for measuring the spring Merkava_4 :) It seems like I have to right spring after all :(
 
S

Skyline

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There is no excuse for the actions of this ebay seller....but in reality you should have no problem getting your dealer to help you make this one 100% perfect mechanically, (allbeit the wrong model), or replace it if that is not possible. Obviously many items may have no warrantee, (like an air tool), but knowing your worse case is to get a broken product repaired for free does add a certain degree of security when buying tools on eBay. But the right way to sell tools on eBay is to make every effort to get warrantee repairs BEFORE selling them.
 
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M

Metric

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The seller is ilovefatys. Sorry for not mentioning this earlier, I guess in the back of my mind, I figured the very negative feedback would do it.

As to bringing it to a local dealer, I don't have one. I guess I could just track one and buy a rebuild kit from them. Maybe that'd set them in a good mood and they'd give me a discount on a shiny new FX80 :drool:

Man, I've been seeing FX80's in my dreams lately :lol_hitti
 
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Skyline

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Metric said:
The seller is ilovefatys. Sorry for not mentioning this earlier, I guess in the back of my mind, I figured the very negative feedback would do it.

As to bringing it to a local dealer, I don't have one. I guess I could just track one and buy a rebuild kit from them. Maybe that'd set them in a good mood and they'd give me a discount on a shiny new FX80 :drool:

Man, I've been seeing FX80's in my dreams lately :lol_hitti
Click to expand...
If you call Snap-on, they will give you the name and phone number of your local franchisee. Probably a good person to know.
 
A

autoace

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I had a FLF936, that was like yours, it was brand new, and worked like ****. Even after lube:headscrat I don't have any Snap-on ratchets anymore. Cornwell ratchets are much better, they just need to make a fine tooth version.

I also have a brand new SO extension, that won't snap into a socket without a deadblow hammer. SO is not above quality control issues, they have lemons too.

BUY A CORNWELL (JRF36), YOU WON'T BE SORRY!:bounce:
 
E

eschoendorff

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Metric said:
Yup, exactly what I'm doing ...
Guess there's only one thing left for me to do: get an FX80 :lol_hitti
Click to expand...

You will not be disappointed! I still cannot get over just how good mine is. Since getting my 80s for Christmas, I really haven't used any other ratchets.
 
E

eschoendorff

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autoace said:
I had a FLF936, that was like yours, it was brand new, and worked like ****. Even after lube:headscrat I don't have any Snap-on ratchets anymore. Cornwell ratchets are much better, they just need to make a fine tooth version.

I also have a brand new SO extension, that won't snap into a socket without a deadblow hammer. SO is not above quality control issues, they have lemons too.

BUY A CORNWELL (JRF36), YOU WON'T BE SORRY!:bounce:
Click to expand...

Sounds like you haven't tried an 80 series yet. Once you do, you'll quickly forget about those Cornwell antiques...
 
E

eschoendorff

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Moose-LandTran said:
Sounds like a chubby chaser, as my mum calls them.. :lol:
Click to expand...

Ewww... that's naaasty!

18203.jpg
 
A

autoace

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eschoendorff said:
Sounds like you haven't tried an 80 series yet. Once you do, you'll quickly forget about those Cornwell antiques...
Click to expand...

I'm going to buy an 80 series, but I bet, I will still like the Cornwell. The Cornwell ratchets are tough. I will probably use the 80 series for most underhood tasks. I cannot make a direct comparison yet, you may be right. I'll get an 80 online in the next month or so.
 
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