B-52 Superratchet help needed

[Ralphy]

I have a 3/8 B-52 superratchet that I want to take apart to clean. I got the screw out, but I can't seem to get it apart. Anyone ever taken one apart?

 

[Charles (in GA)]

B-52 or B-52A?

You have to unscrew the ring around the backside of the head, the one with three or four holes in it. It is extremely fine thread and easy to mess up, and generally rusted in the threads enough to make the removal difficult.

Charles

 

[Ralphy]

B-52. Here's a pic of the back of the head:

What kind of tool should I use to unscrew it without gouging the metal up? Maybe if I soak it in some penetrating oil overnight it will help.

 

[jmm]

That's odd. My B-52 is like what Charles describes, as seen in this photo:

Maybe, once the screw is out, you're not giving it enough force? If that isn't it, I wonder what purpose those three holes in the back of the head might serve. Might be worth investigating? I'm stumped.

 

[otis66]

B-52. Here's a pic of the back of the head:

What kind of tool should I use to unscrew it without gouging the metal up? Maybe if I soak it in some penetrating oil overnight it will help.

See those pins in front of the dirction switch. you have to turn those pins. That plate unscrews.

 

[wxm]

... If that isn't it, I wonder what purpose those three holes in the back of the head might serve. Might be worth investigating? I'm stumped.

If I have to guess, the screw is for securing the switch lever. I'd try to unscrew it to take the switcher off, then use an adjustable pin wrench to loose the "cap". (You might be able to loosen it with a punch, but I'd try the pin wrench first).

Just a wild guess. My B-52 looks like what jmm pictured.

 

[ganymede]

Op's ratchet is the 1 st version from mid 50s to mid 60's.
I would definitely soak it in penetrating oil for a while before trying to open it. Even then I would not attempt without a proper pin spanner or whatever. Who knows after soaking in oil you may not need to open it up.

 

[Ralphy]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll put it in some oil before I go to school tomorrow and try to take it apart when I get home. I'll let you know how I make out.

 

[sc3013]

Anyone know where I might find a rebuild kit for a B-52 like the one jmm has pictured?

 

[CWP1616L]

If I had to guess, the B-52 has 3 holes in that top plate and the B-52A has the 4 slots. Both of those ratchets require their own special spanner wrench. I'd be calling Snap-on Industrial to get the special service tool's part number.

 

[otis66]

This may be what your looking for or you might want to contact Williams tools.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Wil...815?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5aee2ecf77

 

[ajchien]

I had emailed the alloy artifacts guy once a few years ago. Ralphy has one of the older B52 ratchets. It has a screw and those holes the head. Jmm has one of the more common newer B52 ratchets, with the lock ring and slots. The newest B52a has a screw again, but no holes the the head. I don't think Williams carries any repair kits for the B52. Only the B52a. If you need a repair kit, it's going to come second handed, or NOS from somewhere.

 

[AL`]

Wonder how hard it would be to make a pin wrench for it? Maybe could be as simple as a block of wood with some nails in it with the right spacing. Make the wood block square and put a crescent wrench to it. Or put the block of wood with the nails/pins facing up in a vise, and crank with the ratchet. You can clip/grind the points off the nail heads and since the pins/nails wouldn't have to protrude that far, they may not shear or bend. Might work. Just a thunk I had. I have this same vintage Williams ratchet, but mine is the 1/2" drive S-52. I'd still let it soak in the penetrating oil though.

 

[J.A.F.E.]

Put the body in a vise and use a small punch and hammer to spin the top plate out it is threaded and holds the pawl carriage in place. It should not be very tight but it might be crudded up. A soak in ATF or 50/50 mix of ATF/acetone works very well.

I documented the disassembly of an S52. The B52 is the same just a little smaller.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36498

 

[Unmarked Bill]

Before you use a punch and gouge it, what's the diameter of those holes for the spanner?

You want one of these, with pins the right size for your holes. Some old motorcycle wheel bearings are held in like your ratchet holds its guts in, you always see them ruined with a punch.

 

[Ralphy]

It's soaking right now so I'll see if i can borrow the proper wrench from the shop at school. If not I'm thinking I might be able to get it off with snap ring pliers.

 

[ganymede]

Op's ratchet is the 1 st version from mid 50s to mid 60's.....

Saw a couple of Williams catalogs on eBay . First was from 1960 and it had the older version rat on the cover. The other catalog was from 1963 and it showed the 2nd version . So that helps a bit in determining the date of switchover.
I looked for a more appropriate place to post this in but there doesn't seem to be a 'dating williams Superratchets' thread .

 

[thesilverone]

good info!

 

[ganymede]

good info!

Little by little

 

[bobemmerich]

Maybe soaking it in oil, then holding it in a vice while using a pair of bent nose snap-ring pliers?

 

[The collector]

B-52. Here's a pic of the back of the head:



What kind of tool should I use to unscrew it without gouging the metal up? Maybe if I soak it in some penetrating oil overnight it will help.

Find a 2$ spanner wrench at a hardware store I know the holes are small but file the spanner tips if you have to then it's always easy to take apart