Breaker Bar Question

[Mojave888]

I came across some older (vintage?) breaker bars pretty cheap. Snap On, SK, Plomb, and a few other makes.

Is the drive end supposed to move freely or is it supposed to "lock" (not really lock, more like stop) into place at 90 degrees? Or does it matter? Every one I've owned did lock, just wondering if it's a sign of wear.

Thanks folks!
-Bill

 

[ChevyEFI]

I don't remember seeing a breaker bar with detent(s.) It has been done on ratchets, but visibly.

When you take one apart that seems to have a tendency to stick to 90, does it have wear you can see, using a straight edge ?

 

[measuredtwice]

There are breaker bars with detents. And there are some without. You should be able to tell from the construction.

 

[davethorik]

A lot of vintage breaker bars in 3/8 and 1/2 will have a single detent to hold the drive straight out. I have one breaker with multiple detents, a newer Wright 1/4 contour handle. Can't say I've seen any vintage bars with multiple detents.

And a lot of vintage bars are detent-free. Unless those have been stored since new, they will easily flop around. Just like vintage flex head ratchets.

 

[gatlibs]

Only my new Wright's have multiple detents. Usually there are none, especially with older and with American made. I use mine without the detents as easily as those with the detents, but I really like that handles on the new Wrights. They have contour grips which are nice and detents which don't much matter to me, but an extra feature is nice to have, too.

 

[Mojave888]

Thanks guys! I think I'll pull the handle on some of these. I'll post up a picture if I get any good ones.

 

[mr.lemons]

I've seen some with one indent to lock at 180 degrees which is useful when fitting wheel nuts/bolts.

If they have a hex or torx in the pivot then you can normally adjust the split washer inside to retighten old bars.