Armstrong Maxx 1/2 Screwup?

[John316]

Hey all,
Just got the 1/2" Flex Armstrong Maxx ratchet and I think there is something funny going on with it. I bought it from tooltopia and it arrived unopened in the typical sealed Armstrong plastic bag. When I spun the ratchet something did not feel right and as I started to count teeth I could tell it was more than 60, but the action is funny.

So... I opened it up and it looks like an 88 tooth gear (although I did not count), but has a pawl that matches my 60 tooth Gearwrench pawl. I suspect they added the WRONG gear during manufacturing? Funny thing is, I believe that no Armstrong 1/2" ratchet has a higher tooth count than 60. I know they are upgrading some ratchets, but I'm thinking the pawl would match the gear.

Perhaps my new ratchet is a "missing link"... scientific evidence of "evolution" from a 60 tooth to 88 tooth ratchet?

My pictures ****, but here's what I got of the gear and pawl that was in my ratchet:

and here is a comparison to my 60 tooth gearwrench pawl (gw is on the right):

Gearwrench pawl on the top:

Armstrong Gear on the left and GW on the right:

Armstrong (first) Gear and Pawl fit compared to GW fit:

Not sure what I will do. I reeeeely do not want to hassle with doing an RA and waiting for a replacement or taking it to Fastenall, which is the only place locally I can warranty this. Last time I warrantied a ratchet there is took 3 weeks to get the replacement as they do not stock Armstrong. I am also pretty sure they will not send me a kit, although I may make a phone call and find out.

I may just see if I can grab a Matco 88 kit somewhere.

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

I think it has 88 tooth

 

[John316]

I think it has 88 tooth

ok. I don't own a 1/2" ratchet with a tooth count higher than 60. Am I right that the pawl does not match here?

Would the 60 and 88 tooth ratchets have the same pawl?

 

[Fedwrench]

ok. I don't own a 1/2" ratchet with a tooth count higher than 60. Am I right that the pawl does not match here?

Would the 60 and 88 tooth ratchets have the same pawl?

No. is the pawl gear marked 60t, 84t etc?

 

[John316]

No. is the pawl gear marked 60t, 84t etc?

No marking at all on the pawl. I know my pictures ****, but the pawl looks identical to the 60t GW pawl.

 

[Hiball]

No marking at all on the pawl. I know my pictures ****, but the pawl looks identical to the 60t GW pawl.

I think your right, Looking at the Pictures it definitely appears that you have the wrong paw for your Gear...

Sorry my Picture taking skill is Worse than yours.. Hope this helps.

 

[grogthegreat]

You could get a matco 88t repair kit to gain your missing 88t pawl. That way you have a 88 tooth Armstrong locking flex ratchet with a spare gear. Downside of course is that you would have to pay for a repair kit that you shouldn't have needed to pay for but you end up with a better than new ratchet.

 

[OEXL16B]

That pawl doesn't match the gear at all.

 

[cascivic]

I would contact tooltipia and show them and see what they say then proceed ...they might send out replacement then I would go ahead and rebuild to 88. If they want it back tell them there paying for it or to send you a 60t replacement pawl

 

[OEXL16B]

If they want it back tell them there paying for it or to send you a 60t replacement pawl

He already has a 60t pawl. He needs a 88t pawl to go with that 88t gear.

 

[beelsr]

call armstrong (apex) and offer to send them the pics. 800-688-8949

mention that you doubt you're the only one with a mis-maatched ratchet.

 

[cascivic]

He already has a 60t pawl. He needs a 88t pawl to go with that 88t gear.

I think he gets my point...the matching piece to whatever he has been sent to make it work

 

[archirelic]

I would contact Tooltopia first, then Armstrong if Tooltopia cannot/will not resolve your issue.

 

[dsmnickk90]

I would contact Tooltopia first, then Armstrong if Tooltopia cannot/will not resolve your issue.

I called APEX today and they were very easy to work with they asked for my name address and phone number and said Ill have the item shipped right out you should get it in about 7 days.

 

[OEXL16B]

I think he gets my point...the matching piece to whatever he has been sent to make it work

You stand corrected.

Say it:

"I cascivic, stand corrected."

 

[Hetman]

That is definitely a reason for warranty. It won't live long in this configuration and it doesn't work good now. Whatever else you want to buy, send this for warranty.

 

[SMKS]

To the OP-

I definitely agree they sent you a ratchet with an 88 tooth gear and a 60 tooth pawl. The 88 tooth gear has more teeth, as Hiball's pictures show.

Call Apex and see what they say. The weak link with these sweet Armstrong ratchets could be seen as Apex's customer service, so I'm interested to see what they do. They seem to be hit-or-miss on how they handle things. They might not want to help you and tell you to return it to the distributor. I've read some customer service horror stories about Tooltopia and returns, too.

I had a problem with a ratchet and Apex told me to go to Fastenal. Of course, they had no idea how to handle it. Luckily, a member here is who is a rep for Apex saw my thread and helped me out.

Hopefully you get it taken care of. Keep us updated.

 

[ecidious]

I'll have to take a look at my armstrong 3/8 flex head that I got from epsteins, because it is funny/slipping as well. I was just going to warranty it, but now...

 

[John316]

To the OP-

I definitely agree they sent you a ratchet with an 88 tooth gear and a 60 tooth pawl. The 88 tooth gear has more teeth, as Hiball's pictures show.

Call Apex and see what they say. The weak link with these sweet Armstrong ratchets could be seen as Apex's customer service, so I'm interested to see what they do. They seem to be hit-or-miss on how they handle things. They might not want to help you and tell you to return it to the distributor. I've read some customer service horror stories about Tooltopia and returns, too.

Hopefully you get it taken care of. Keep us updated.

Thanks. I will followup here. I contacted tooltopia via email last night and we'll see what happens.

 

[ecidious]

Well, mine (3/8) has the sample problem.

 

[SMKS]

I know others have posted some pics, but I decided to throw in some pics, too.

I have two 3/8" drive Maxx ratchets, a 60 tooth and 88 tooth.

Here are some pics to compare. The 60 tooth is on the left in all the pics. In the closeup pics, the 88 tooth's pawl is marked "88-3/8"

 

[John316]

stephen9666, Great pics, thanks for posting!

 

[John316]

Just to followup on this. I got an RA from tooltopia and the new ratchet had the correct gear, however the handle was bent/warped. ;-(. I swapped the mech to the first ratchet and sent back the bent handle/wrong mech.

Despite the screwup(s), I am very happy with the ratchet.

 

[KevinF]

I am in Australia and also have a 12-994 - 1/2"Flex Head with a mismatched pawl
Kevin

 

[daveblank]

Definately the wrong pawl. When I was a Matco distributor, I recieved a rash of kits with the wrong pawl in it. It should have 17 teeth on the 88 kit.

Don't worry, Tooltopia will take care of you. Sometimes their warranty process isn't the fastest though.