I have both the standard and the flex heads and i really like them except they do have a bit more back drag than i would like. I am thinking about doing a tear down on them, clean them and then lubricate them with some form of super slick super lubricant, something like Prolongs Anti-Friction Metal Treatment rather than just a simple machine oil. Any input would be appreciated, Thanks
Reducing back drag in Gearwrench 120xp... Lubricate?
- Thread starter PAN FRIED
- Start date
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
You have twin pawls so, you're going to have twice the back drag found on a 60/84 tooth model. 
Professional Tool User
Well-known member
It is what it is. Any ratchet that has more than 80 or 90 teeth is going to have more back drag than the decrease in swing arc is worth. Lubing it won't hurt.
WWheeler
Well-known member
Superlube synthetic grease
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GSH5NHD/?tag=atomicindus08-20
https://www.harborfreight.com/85-gram-super-lube-grease-cartridge-93744.html
I open open up and clean & lube every ratchet I get before I even put a socket on it. It always makes an improvement in backdrag. Sometimes just a little, and sometimes the difference is night and day. I've had several brand new ratchets come bone dry without a hint of lube in it.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GSH5NHD/?tag=atomicindus08-20
https://www.harborfreight.com/85-gram-super-lube-grease-cartridge-93744.html
I open open up and clean & lube every ratchet I get before I even put a socket on it. It always makes an improvement in backdrag. Sometimes just a little, and sometimes the difference is night and day. I've had several brand new ratchets come bone dry without a hint of lube in it.
thesilverone
Well-known member
Rll!!!!!!!!!!
WWheeler
Well-known member
I beg to differ. I have several GW and Matco ratchets with superlube. I used to use RLL in some but nowadays it's superlube in everything. I have more than 50 ratchets from Snap-on, Matco, Mac, Craftsman, Williams, GearWrench, Kobalt, etc, and ALL have superlube in them. ALL work like a dream.
Now that I think about it. The only ratchet I've ever had in more than 40 years of turning them that jammed was a brand new Snap-on dual 80 that one of the neanderthals that work for me broke before I ever even got to touch it. Turns out it came without a hint of lube in it. Snap-on replaced it and the new one just barely had any lube and was really rough to turn until I opened it up and superlubed it.
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+1 on above, grease can work fine in 120xp if don't pack it like a wheel bearing .
Only thing that makes biggest improvement is clipping the springs slightly but if get greedy on expectations you will cut them too short.
Really don't rate the 120xp, the 84T was best ratchets from GR and could be had at stupid cheap prices in early days of xp release .
Toothcount over 72 not that important, tooth count on the pawls pretty important but not many mention that detail so looking at the guts and doing your own evaluation on what truly good will reward you far more than the marketing details manufacturers use to push a product .
+1 on above, grease can work fine in 120xp if don't pack it like a wheel bearing .
Only thing that makes biggest improvement is clipping the springs slightly but if get greedy on expectations you will cut them too short.
Really don't rate the 120xp, the 84T was best ratchets from GR and could be had at stupid cheap prices in early days of xp release .
Toothcount over 72 not that important, tooth count on the pawls pretty important but not many mention that detail so looking at the guts and doing your own evaluation on what truly good will reward you far more than the marketing details manufacturers use to push a product .
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Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
The red lube of love (RLL) or assembly lube eventually leeches out makes a mess. I use thin oil in all of my ratchets with 60 or more teeth. Something like, air tool oil, tool box buddy, 3in1, breakfree, etc.
You guys must not be working hard enough or fast enough if you're noticing back drag on hand ratchets. i recommend spending more time using/working and less time polishing
You guys must not be working hard enough or fast enough if you're noticing back drag on hand ratchets. i recommend spending more time using/working and less time polishing
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Wamsutta
Well-known member
Toss 'em and buy Ko-ken ratchets...
Seriously though, I have no idea but taking apart to have a look see couldn't hurt. However you're not the first to make this complaint. Might just be a GW 120xp thing
I was thinking the same thing, but had a different replacement brand in mind.
I was thinking the same thing, but had a different replacement brand in mind.
I bet my back drag is lighter than yours!
The red lube of love (RLL) or assembly lube eventually leeches out makes a mess. I use thin oil in all of my ratchets with 60 or more teeth. Something like, air tool oil, tool box buddy, 3in1, breakfree, etc.
You guys must not be working hard enough or fast enough if you're noticing back drag on hand ratchets. i recommend spending more time using/working and less time polishing
We just had a thread on this. Apparently the testing procedure includes holding the square drive and seeing if the ratchet hangs at 6 o’clock. Perhaps someone can make a video comparing different brands and demonstrating the technique. I didn’t quite understand how to do it or what it proves.
It's a meaningless test. Results would vary based on handle weight and length. Meaningless.
I have the 4 piece flex set and use a thin coat of super lube. Key word is thin, not covered. I don't have a 60 or 84 tooth model but the back drag is low on mine. I don't notice them having much more back drag than my SK ratchets. I use my SK ratchets 98% of the time but it is not because of the excessive back drag.
MrDeerHunter
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2017
- Messages
- 110
It's probably not the proper lube but graphite might really well. I have used it before.
Sent from my Moto Z (2) using The Garage Journal mobile app
Sent from my Moto Z (2) using The Garage Journal mobile app
Wamsutta
Well-known member
They have Superlube at Harbor Freight. The only USA made product in the store.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
not so much on a sealed ratchet, that's what the o rings are for
Well in terms of a sealed ratchet no lube going be a leeching concern if application and assembly sensible .
It not really an issue on an unsealed one unless you packing it in like a wheel bearing
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yeah the 84T is the one to have and they went really cheap prices when 120 first came out .
84T has pretty slim heads too, I got 2 of them in the mobile truck tools and no complaints considering as in a set they can be had as cheap as HF ratchets .
yeah the 84T is the one to have and they went really cheap prices when 120 first came out .
84T has pretty slim heads too, I got 2 of them in the mobile truck tools and no complaints considering as in a set they can be had as cheap as HF ratchets .
kythri
Well-known member
They also sell wd40
Along with several other products that are also made in the USA. Certainly not the majority of the stuff, but there's quite a few.
Naltastrife
Member
It was my understanding that antiseize of any type contained abasives, essentially speeding up wear on anything you turn daily.
Edit: Old thread, missed the date reading through, although the information is still valid.
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That is exactly what I found on my 120 ratchets. A very light oil works the best for me. I tried rll and superlube. Both caused lockups and skipping.
3-in-1 (I think HF also sells, I know its USA made) in my 120xp has no issue at all. All things equal a properly lubed 120xp will have greater back drag than a properly lubed (pick another brand or model) but it's better than how it started.
Most of my ratchets are super lube or 3-in-1, never had an issue with either.
Most of my ratchets are super lube or 3-in-1, never had an issue with either.
Farmall450
Well-known member
I use Superlube
My worst ratchet by far is a 36 tooth Williams.
Nicely made, but the back drag is ridiculous.
Spinning it with a drill for a few minutes in each direction, following by some engine oil helped, but its still not great.
I only use it as a beater now.
Nicely made, but the back drag is ridiculous.
Spinning it with a drill for a few minutes in each direction, following by some engine oil helped, but its still not great.
I only use it as a beater now.
jmhinkle
Well-known member
I love Superlube for many things, but after rebuilding a few different ratchets with 80 teeth and above, I can't recommend it for that. It was causing me binding problems in my Craftsmans 4499X series as well as my Snap-On Dual 80's. I'm now a convert to Permatex UltraSlick Assembly lube. It's so much better in the ratchets than Superlube was. I just recently cleaned and used the Permatex on my Craftsman, Snap-on and Nepros ratchets and what a difference over stock and Superlube! The action is smoother, back drag lighter, and direction levers aren't sticking in between positions.
BarryWells
Well-known member
Trade for 84 tooth
