snap on flex ratchet question (loose)

[Yak22]

All-

I inherited some tools recently, one of which was a snap on 3/8 flex head ratchet which I was intending to use as a primary flex ratchet replacing my craftsman one. However...

The Snap on's flex is 'floppy'... the head just flops around, so much so, that I dont know that it would be possible to even use it without busting knuckles...

It has a pressed in pin for the pivot point... and I tried to squeeze it a bit in my vise, but no luck... any other suggestions besides trying to have it replaced by a dealer? Since I no longer have access to an SO dealer on a daily basis, and the one guy in my territory wont even return phone calls...

Thanks for any ideas!

 

[billymade]

3 options: call Snap-On, send it in for replacement, or get a rebuild kit that comes with new pin/spring.

Call Snap-On here: http://buy1.snapon.com/snapon-store/customer.asp

send it in to this address:

If you have broken tools, please send them to
Snap On RPC ARS
2801 80th ST Dock 8
Kenosha, WI 53143

Please include a sheet of paper with all part numbers, your first and last name, shipping address, and contact phone number.

order parts here:
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/parts/product_directory.asp?pid=333151

If you are willing to take the time to send it in; you will have the added benefit of getting the latest ratchet version; the dual 80! That would be a nice replacement wouldn't it? Good luck!

 

[snapmom]

I dealer maybe able to fix. Or you can take it apart and slightly bend the springy piece, or if this one has a spring, you can slighlty reset the spring. But a new piece would work much better. I am a collector so I like to keep all the original parts if possible.

 

[48548]

I have had a dealer fix one. He swapped what looked like a lock washer and turned it around the other way, and I was told if they couldn't fix it with or with out a kit, they would give you a new ratchet.

 

[Yak22]

first off, thanks to everyone for the help...

As far as repair vs. replace, Im on the fence... It was my father in law's who recently passed, and so there is a bit of sentimental feelings about replacing, however new tools are good too.... And I have plenty of other tools to remember him by....

I guess I need to take a closer look at it, since I really didnt notice any sort of spring in there. I had just assumed it was a pressed-friction-fit kinda' thing...

Any yes, Im sure a dealer could fix it, but as I mentioned, I cant get the time of day from any of the dealers around here... They dont seem to like doing repairs on tools for people without a current SO account.

I dont mind waiting to send it in... so after I examine it for a self-fix, I'll probably send it in...

Thanks very much!

 

[48548]

If you beat the pin out, and pull the head out you will see the washer and swap it the other way and or bend it to make it tighter. See picture for what I am talking about. Top left shows washer for flex head.

 

[jdcompman]

If you have broken tools, please send them to
Snap On RPC ARS
2801 80th ST Dock 8
Kenosha, WI 53143

I took this route and had no issues at all. Snap on received on one Wednesday, I had a box at my house with a brand new one the following Wednesday. Great service IMHO!! Very pleased!

 

[ProGun3400]

I just had our Snap On route guy replace one for a co-worker with that same problem. I thought he'd take it apart and repair it. He just handed over a new one?

 

[Yak22]

I guess I need to take a closer look at it this weekend to make a decision. I guess I just wasn't sure if SO would consider the ratchet broken simply because it was loose. Y'know?

 

[48548]

Take is apart yourself and if you want to keep it. Let them know you want it fixed, I wanted a new one, but they just fixed it and it was good as new after that.

 

[Merkava_4]

I never knew there was a spring washer in there - that's interesting.

 

[hog1340]

Just remember if you do call or send it in, the warranty is only for the original purchaser. So I know you said you inherited it, but I wouldn't say anything, just to be on the safe side.

Good luck
Ed

 

[snapmom]

The washers are diff thru the years, some have a short spring.

 

[autoace]

All-

I inherited some tools recently, one of which was a snap on 3/8 flex head ratchet which I was intending to use as a primary flex ratchet replacing my craftsman one. However...

The Snap on's flex is 'floppy'... the head just flops around, so much so, that I dont know that it would be possible to even use it without busting knuckles...

It has a pressed in pin for the pivot point... and I tried to squeeze it a bit in my vise, but no luck... any other suggestions besides trying to have it replaced by a dealer? Since I no longer have access to an SO dealer on a daily basis, and the one guy in my territory wont even return phone calls...

Thanks for any ideas!

I've had your same problem before, many times with a dealer,etc... Eventually I realized the problem was actually buying Snap-on tools to begin with.

When I did have a sort of ok dealer, they would not warranty floppy ratchets heads, they would only replace it if it was "broken".

 

[autoace]

3 options: call Snap-On, send it in for replacement, or get a rebuild kit that comes with new pin/spring.

Call Snap-On here: http://buy1.snapon.com/snapon-store/customer.asp

send it in to this address:

If you have broken tools, please send them to
Snap On RPC ARS
2801 80th ST Dock 8
Kenosha, WI 53143

Please include a sheet of paper with all part numbers, your first and last name, shipping address, and contact phone number.

order parts here:
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/parts/product_directory.asp?pid=333151

If you are willing to take the time to send it in; you will have the added benefit of getting the latest ratchet version; the dual 80! That would be a nice replacement wouldn't it? Good luck!

Have you had any luck doing this Billymade?, I have NEVER found any warranty through this route. I have sold almost all of my SO tools now anyway, but for years, with different dealers, and corporate, I got a run around most always. I never tried to warranty a tool I didn't buy new, on top of it.

 

[billymade]

wrenchr, sent in a bunch of stuff (I was quoting his post) and they sent him all new tools through the mail! I have a large box full of broken Snapon stuff but haven't gotten the guts to send it all in! The anecdotal evidence seems to suggest that they'll send you new tools!

 

[wrenchr]

I've had your same problem before, many times with a dealer,etc... Eventually I realized the problem was actually buying Snap-on tools to begin with.

When I did have a sort of ok dealer, they would not warranty floppy ratchets heads, they would only replace it if it was "broken".

I had a flexhead like that once and the dealer said it was not broke and would do nothing, so I said I'll be right back and I broke it and handed it over!!

 

[wrenchr]

Wrencher, sent in a bunch of stuff (I was quoting his post) and they sent him all new tools through the mail! I have a large box full of broken Snapon stuff but haven't gotten the guts to send it all in! The anecdotal evidence seems to suggest that they'll send you new tools!

I have sent a another box in and it went without a hitch!! Send it off and do not worry about it!!!

 

[eschoendorff]

If Snap On will warranty through the mail - and make it painless, it will put their customer service on par with MAC.

Just imagine: Great customer service and great tools all from one company. Almost too good to be true.

 

[wrenchr]

If Snap On will warranty through the mail - and make it painless, it will put their customer service on par with MAC.

Just imagine: Great customer service and great tools all from one company. Almost too good to be true.

It is the real deal!!! Just as good as mac's warranty!!!

 

[ToolGlutton]

Hi Wrenchr,

I'm having the same problem. Can you elaborate on how you broke it? I want warranty replacement for my F735B too.

I had a flexhead like that once and the dealer said it was not broke and would do nothing, so I said I'll be right back and I broke it and handed it over!!

 

[Yak22]

well, I decided to have a look at it today.. and sure enough, there is a spring washer in there.. So I gave it a little 'tweak' and put it back together and it has tightened up a bit, but the washer was pretty worn, so I think I'll try it as is, then maybe look into either sending it back, or simply getting a rebuild kit. Now that I know how easy it is to fix...

Thanks again to all for your help!

 

[autoace]

If Snap On will warranty through the mail - and make it painless, it will put their customer service on par with MAC.

Just imagine: Great customer service and great tools all from one company. Almost too good to be true.

They must have changed in very recent times. Maybe they finally realized it was going to hurt them. I will still not go back to any regular Snap-on purchasing, with me the damage has been done, over the last 12 years, and don't wish to get stuck holding the bag, next time Snap-on gets a hair across their ***. Hope everyone else continues to have good luck.

 

[Broncoman]

Props to BILLYMADE for the snap on address to ship returns to. I had a box of broken or worn tools and had not seen the SO truck in a year, sent them in about a week and a half ago, and got a box full of new tools back this evening. The screwdrivers were the old tri lobe black hard handles that had cracked and self destructed. The 3/8 locking flex needed the locking mechinism rebult, but got a new fx80 instead. No hassle(except to box up and take to the PO) but beats having tools sitting around that you cant use.

 

[terriblejake]

First post- reviving this thread from the dead!

Thank you for explaining about the lock washer @48548 and posting that exploded view.
My (new to me) 1979 Flex Head is good as new! I was the first person to remove that pin, it showed no tool marks. So happy to have a second flex head this one being about 1/16 the cost of the last one I bought. LOL. Back to look for more "broken" tools on the ol' web.