Another Gearwrench question....

[rgeudy]

I just picked up a set of the regular ratcheting Gearwrench set, so far they are pretty dang cool little wrenches....but my question is, has anybody ever done some sort of torque test on the ratcheting box end? I know it says not to use on rusted or frozen up bolts. I just wonder how strong the things are? Thanks

 

[jdl25]

I dont have the experience that some on here do, but I have had only excellent performance. I'm sure someone had broken one just not me.

 

[Pro-Painter]

Gearwrench brand ratcheting wrenches are pretty strong. Ive used them to break loose some pretty tight bolts and have never broke one.
I wouldn't recommend using a cheater bar on one but they should not break under normal use.

 

[Aklass]

back when I didn't know better, I used the ratcheting end to bust open oil drain plugs and ever caliper bolts at one point, and they're still alive

 

[BQuicksilver]

I can't say anything negative about any gesrerench tools. I love their ratcheting wrenches.

 

[freeskier]

i use my flex head metrics constantly and i pull on them pretty hard and never even a slip. couple hunderd lbs of force atleast

 

[Sh1thead]

back when I didn't know better, I used the ratcheting end to bust open oil drain plugs and ever caliper bolts at one point, and they're still alive

i do this daily plus some of the larger sizes on the alignment rack and they are all still alive in perfect working order

 

[bamackc]

I'v used a 14mm one to run down caliper pistons with a compression tool for years. It still works as it should.

 

[jcouch1]

i forget what size it is but between myself and a friend we have brokeen a 19 and a 3/4, I believe... maybe somethin to do with the particular size since they are close?

 

[Fedwrench]

They will eventually fail but, they're pretty stout.

That's the beauty of the Matco proswing wrenches or the XL Gearbox series, a fixed boxed end wrench on one end to break fasteners loose, and a ratcheting box end on the other to speed a fastener off.

 

[Brad54]

I've had mine since they FIRST came out.
In that time, I have used them on a '54 Buick, '57 Chevy, '61 Suburban and '61 Corvair, plus a bunch of junk yard vehicles.

Nothing I own is "rust free."

After about 10 years, I have to replace the 9/16-inch because it stopped ratcheting.

-Brad

 

[blacK20]

I have only ever broken the smaller sizes(8 and 10mm to be exact). The ratcheting mechanism broke and it would just free wheel in both directions. I admit though that I'm very abusive with my wrenches

 

[jcouch1]

edit. the ones that i 'broke' didn't actually break in two, the ratcheting mechanism just locked up.

 

[csmitty]

I've had one or two lock up or just get really sticky. Have to give em a whack. Took whole set to HD and traded em out. Sad part was some of the new were kinda sticky. However havne't really used them so might just need a good break in.

 

[IndyGarage]

Question:

I bought a set a few weeks ago, based on what I've read here - Metric Long handle cross beam type.

The very first time I used them, the first one I needed was 12mm I pulled medium hard on it and it slipped, and busted my knuckle good. Then it wouldn't catch in either direction - just ratchet. I was pretty disappointed. I finished the job, and all the other gearwrenches worked fine.

I thought something might be stuck inside it so I banged it a couple times and it didn't free up. I sprayed some WD 40 on it and it started working a bit - then a couple days later I sprayed some more and it seemed to loosen up, but I'm a bit afraid of busted knuckles.

Is there any way to get them apart? or is this one just defective?