Kirbot
Well-known member
I've mentioned a few times that I clip the selector spring in most of my ratchets, and a lot of people here lube there ratchets.
Now, lubing a ratchet is fairly self-explanatory, but clipping the spring makes an even bigger difference, and not many people do it.
So here are 3 ratchets, and how to do the above to them.
First up, is a modern Craftsman Raised panel 3/8" ratchet.
First thing to do, is take some snap-ring pliers, and remove the retaining ring.
Then remove the cover plate and gear...
Then reach in with a pick and remove the pawl, being careful not to let the spring and ball fly out.
Now remove the ball and spring.
Now cut the spring down some. I like to make it about flush with the bottom of the ratchet.
edit
Some people have said that that makes it a little too loose for their taste.
You may wan't to leave a little more spring intact, see how you like it.
Clip it more if you think it needs it.
Dab some grease on top of the spring, It helps the ball stick to it, making it easier to reassemble.
Now, place the ball back on top of the spring, and hold down with a pick.
Drop the pawl back in place and put the selector back in place.
Turn the selector upside down, and jiggle it in place while turning it back down.
Add some grease to the gear (I use Super lube), finish reassembling, and your done!
Next up is a Duralast 3/8" ratchet.
I'm a big fan of Duralast ratchets now that I've tried them.
However, they are quite stiff and course before opening them up and doing a little work.
The screws holding the cover plate on look like torx, but none of my torx bits fit very well. Torx plus maybe? I don't know, but I was able to make do with a T10 size torx bit.
This time the pawl and lever are held together with another torx screw. (Size T6)
The rest is done exactly the same as the Craftsman above.
Clip the spring about flush, hold it down with a pick, lube, and reassemble.
And finally, an old -v- series Craftsman Raised panel 3/8" ratchet.
This one is a little different than either of the above ratchets.
You don't actually have to remove the gear to get to the pawl.
Just use a pair of needlenose pliers and remove the the direction lever.
Use the pliers to pull the pawl out, and do everything else the same way as above.
And thats that!
I really can't recommend spring clipping enough.
After clipping, my Duralast actually has slightly less resistance than even my Snap-on Dual 80.
Now, lubing a ratchet is fairly self-explanatory, but clipping the spring makes an even bigger difference, and not many people do it.
So here are 3 ratchets, and how to do the above to them.
First up, is a modern Craftsman Raised panel 3/8" ratchet.
First thing to do, is take some snap-ring pliers, and remove the retaining ring.
Then remove the cover plate and gear...
Then reach in with a pick and remove the pawl, being careful not to let the spring and ball fly out.
Now remove the ball and spring.
Now cut the spring down some. I like to make it about flush with the bottom of the ratchet.
edit
Some people have said that that makes it a little too loose for their taste.
You may wan't to leave a little more spring intact, see how you like it.
Clip it more if you think it needs it.
Dab some grease on top of the spring, It helps the ball stick to it, making it easier to reassemble.
Now, place the ball back on top of the spring, and hold down with a pick.
Drop the pawl back in place and put the selector back in place.
Turn the selector upside down, and jiggle it in place while turning it back down.
Add some grease to the gear (I use Super lube), finish reassembling, and your done!
Next up is a Duralast 3/8" ratchet.
I'm a big fan of Duralast ratchets now that I've tried them.
However, they are quite stiff and course before opening them up and doing a little work.
The screws holding the cover plate on look like torx, but none of my torx bits fit very well. Torx plus maybe? I don't know, but I was able to make do with a T10 size torx bit.
This time the pawl and lever are held together with another torx screw. (Size T6)
The rest is done exactly the same as the Craftsman above.
Clip the spring about flush, hold it down with a pick, lube, and reassemble.
And finally, an old -v- series Craftsman Raised panel 3/8" ratchet.
This one is a little different than either of the above ratchets.
You don't actually have to remove the gear to get to the pawl.
Just use a pair of needlenose pliers and remove the the direction lever.
Use the pliers to pull the pawl out, and do everything else the same way as above.
And thats that!
I really can't recommend spring clipping enough.
After clipping, my Duralast actually has slightly less resistance than even my Snap-on Dual 80.
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@simplespeed - I've done it to my 3/8 craftsman ratchets and it makes them much smoother. To me, it was a noticeable improvement. I lubed it with 15W-40 motor oil. 
. When it all came together thats when you get the mess that creates the "what in the f' were they thinking? i'd like to see the a-hole who designed this take it apart!" moments.