Ratchet Rebuilding Basics

Bull · Jan 28, 2009

I have gone through every ratchet I own to disassemble, clean, lube, and reassemble them. I find it to be quite fun!

I have two older style Craftsman ratchets, 1/4 and 3/8 drive, that have issues. I'd like to save them if I can, since they are nice compared to the current Crapsman offerings.

First, I need some help with terminology.

1: What is the proper name for the part of the ratchet assembly that actually engages the teeth? The part that has a ball bearing under it and that you "switch" with the selector lever?

My question is, is that part what is most likely to be the problem in a ratchet that has a clunky, coarse/rough, or loose feel, like it is slipping? I looked carefully at each tooth on the gears, and I see no obvious damage. So, I'm left trying to figure out what the problem is, and the only other major part I see is what engages the gears. Maybe the edges have been rounded off from abuse, and don't fit the gear tightly?

Finally, are rebuild or upgrade kits available? I'd like to save these if I can and if it isn't cost prohibitive.

Thanks for your help.

Merkava_4 · Jan 28, 2009

Bull said:
1: What is the proper name for the part of the ratchet assembly that actually engages the teeth?

That's usually called a "gear pawl" or just "pawl" - not sure what Craftsman calls it though.

old salvage · Jan 28, 2009

Bull said:
I have gone through every ratchet I own to disassemble, clean, lube, and reassemble them. I find it to be quite fun!

I have two older style Craftsman ratchets, 1/4 and 3/8 drive, that have issues. I'd like to save them if I can, since they are nice compared to the current Crapsman offerings.

First, I need some help with terminology.

1: What is the proper name for the part of the ratchet assembly that actually engages the teeth? The part that has a ball bearing under it and that you "switch" with the selector lever?

My question is, is that part what is most likely to be the problem in a ratchet that has a clunky, coarse/rough, or loose feel, like it is slipping? I looked carefully at each tooth on the gears, and I see no obvious damage. So, I'm left trying to figure out what the problem is, and the only other major part I see is what engages the gears. Maybe the edges have been rounded off from abuse, and don't fit the gear tightly?

Finally, are rebuild or upgrade kits available? I'd like to save these if I can and if it isn't cost prohibitive.

Thanks for your help.

1. Its called the pawl.
2. The spring loaded ball that pushes on the pawl may not be pushing hard enough or the fit between the gear and the ratchet body is worn. Or the fit between the pawl and the ratchet body is worn.
3. Depends on what mfg and model.

billymade · Jan 28, 2009

Depending on the vintage of the Craftsman ratchets; they do have rebuild kits for them.

Here are some examples of ratchets that are considered "obsolete" and they do not have rebuild kits for them:

No rebuild kits available!

Rebuild kits available but may not be in your store, ask for the "PMT" guy who rebuilds them and see if he has a kit; if not, they can send you a new ratchet through the catalog!

Needles to say; anything currently shipping online/catalog or at your Sears has rebuild kits for instore/onsite refurbishing purposes; Sears tries to keep costs down by providing refurbished ratchets for warranty replacements.

Just keep in mind; if you really like a particular ratchet, get some used ones and swap parts to get a working one. Also, you might look on ebay, from time to time people sell vintage rebuild kits on there, as well!

Bull · Jan 28, 2009

DOH! That is what mine look like (the top two)

wned:

That *****.

wrenchr · Jan 28, 2009

But they are very common at the fleamarket.

MAD · Jan 28, 2009

Bull said:
Bull said:

I looked carefully at each tooth on the gears, and I see no obvious damage. So, I'm left trying to figure out what the problem is, and the only other major part I see is what engages the gears. Maybe the edges have been rounded off from abuse, and don't fit the gear tightly?
QUOTE]

Click to expand...

You may want to try cleaning in between the teeth on the gear. It may appear normal, but there may be an even layer of hardened crud partially filling the spaces between the teeth. A quick hit on a wire wheel might do it for you. Take a sharp pick and scratch in there and you may be amazed at what comes loose from those gear teeth.

-Worth a try

Merkava_4 · Jan 28, 2009

Bull said:
That *****.

No it doesn't!! So many of us on the board here are always looking for ratchets we don't really need, we just want them. You sir, have a VALID excuse to go shopping for new ratchets!! That excuse being that you no longer can get parts for your old ratchets; so you get to go shopping guilt free!! :beer:

Bull · Jan 28, 2009

Merkava_4 said:
No it doesn't!! So many of us on the board here are always looking for ratchets we don't really need, we just want them. You sir, have a VALID excuse to go shopping for new ratchets!! That excuse being that you no longer can get parts for your old ratchets; so you get to go shopping guilt free!!

I tell you what, that is a good way to look at the issue. :beer:

Bull · Jan 29, 2009

BTW, the idea of buying ratchets to use for parts seems odd to me. If I buy a broken ratchet to use for parts, it is likely that the same parts that are broken on it, are what are broken on mine. And, if I buy an identical ratchet that works, I won't want to rob it for parts! :headscrat

billymade · Jan 29, 2009

Well, if there is something that old and there are not any "new" parts available; you can cannibalize old ones to come up with a couple of good ones... maybe not logical but if you want something that works... thats the only way I know how to fix obsolete stuff! Use used parts!

Kinda like going to the junk yard for parts that aren't made anymore... then on the other hand, just go buy a new ratchet!

At Sears there are usually a bunch of old ratchets; for fun we used to cannibalize parts of old obsolete warranty ratchets and come up with a working ratchet with all the old parts we had access to! Believe it or not; 9/10 the ratchets were ok but they needed cleaned and lubed, typically they worked, unless there was broken parts inside!

Bull · Jan 29, 2009

Oh no, I do get the need to cannibalize older items to put together working pieces. But, I guess what I mean is, a ratchet only has a few wearable/breakable parts. If I buy a broken twin to my ratchet, it is not likely to have the part I need. And if it works, I'll want to keep it whole and use it.

Now on a junked car, with its hundreds of parts and no hope of ever seeing the road again, cannibalizing makes sense to me!

billymade · Jan 29, 2009

Here are some kits on ebay; I don't think they will work for your ratchet but you might contact them and see if they have any. Another possiblity is Harry Epstein tools; the depository of everything NOS vintage in the world, somehow seems to end up there... http://www.harryepstein.com/
You might also post a request on the craftsmanclub forums; aparently some PMT guys have vintage parts on there, too: http://www.craftsmantooltalk.com/BBS/

Ratchet Rebuilding Basics

Bull

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old salvage

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