Carlyle 3/8 flex head tear down.

[mr.lemons]

Just picked up my first Carlyle ratchet. Some pics of taking it apart to lube for anyone interested.



Small plastic cover can be popped out with a pick. Push in the direction of the arrow.



Plastic cover removed, reveals tabs on a retaining ring. Squeeze tabs together and then push the gear up and out of the ratchet head.



Retaining ring. I used blunt tweezers to squeeze the tabs together.



Gear and pawl removed, reveals two springs that push on the pawl.



On my ratchet, the underneath of the pawl, the spring and the switch were well lubed with grease, but the toothed side of the pawl and the gear were dry.



Tooth side dry.



Everything laid out.



The springs are pretty small. Approx 1.7mm outer diameter.



Very simple to take apart and rebuild. Refitting the retaining ring is a little fiddly and took a few tries. The plastic cover is soft and easy to manipulate back into place. I cleaned everything with brake fluid and then lubed with 3in1. Did not make much of a noticeable difference, if any. Could have saved some time, and just dunked it in oil, as it's not sealed, but where's the fun in that? Back drag is still 'average' after lubing. Going to let it wear in before cutting springs.

 

[M6erfan]

Excellent write up & pics, I'm sure this will help some owners in the future

 

[uncwstudent]

Extremely helpful teardown! Thank you!

 

[lardy1]

Other than figuring out the plastic cover, they're very easy to service. Mine like 3 in 1 oil better than grease. I'm finding most higher count ratchets to be that way.

 

[Mr_B]

I found a grease synthetic atf mix worked great in all my 72 tooth and up ratchets, they do seem benefit from some break in time before strip and lube .
I not clipped springs on any of my carlyle as find back drag acceptable, may try it out of curiosity if get a quiet moment but can be hard get big improvement without pitfalls .
These compact heads are pretty nice to use in most real world scenarios and prove pretty durable and can be found for very fair money .
Carlyle full pricing in USA is crazy, I was amazed see they sell in UK cheaper through parts store linked with NAPA .
They been silly cheap in UK for part stores selling via eBay with 20% coupon codes applied .

 

[Fedwrench]

Same quick release flex head as found on Powerbuilt pro ratchets.

 

[Ton ton]

Thanks for breaking it down.

 

[JatoTheRipper]

While it's a cool, Batman-shaped plastic piece it's still plastic and that's a no for me. Thanks for the pics and info!

 

[Fedwrench]

While it's a cool, Batman-shaped plastic piece it's still plastic and that's a no for me. Thanks for the pics and info!

The plastic piece is only a cover for the legs on the retaining ring. It has nothing really to do with the operation or strength of the ratchet.

 

[thr3squared]

Can the little plastic cover be left out, or good to have it to keep dirt/grime out to the retaining ring groove?

 

[lardy1]

It is kind of a cheesy feature. But it doesn't distract from what I like about the design.

 

[Fedwrench]

Can the little plastic cover be left out, or good to have it to keep dirt/grime out to the retaining ring groove?

I have a couple without the cover and they work fine. Since it came with it from the factory, it's probably better to have it. However, the area is so small that you're not going to get much of anything in there.

 

[thr3squared]

I have a couple without the cover and they work fine. Since it came with it from the factory, it's probably better to have it. However, the area is so small that you're not going to get much of anything in there.

That's what I figured, but thought I'd ask.

 

[JatoTheRipper]

The plastic piece is only a cover for the legs on the retaining ring. It has nothing really to do with the operation or strength of the ratchet.

Plastic doesn't belong on metal ratchets. I thought I was allowed to have an opinion.

 

[M635_Guy]

Plastic doesn't belong on metal ratchets. I thought I was allowed to have an opinion.

I agree with his statement (other than the snarky emoji) and still agree with you - lol. Seems pretty cheapo (as does the retaining ring). Carlyle generally isn't a budget-priced product, so I'm a little puzzled. So while it is just a cover for the retaining ring legs, it doesn't encourage me to buy it...

 

[qqzj]

Plastic doesn't belong on metal ratchets. I thought I was allowed to have an opinion.

Comfort handle ratchet?

 

[M635_Guy]

Comfort handle ratchet?

What a troll post - you know that's not what he's talking about... (that's rubber anyway...)

 

[M6erfan]

I've had my 1/4" version for 6 years now. That plastic cover went missing long ago. The ratchet doesn't seem to care.

 

[JatoTheRipper]

I agree with his statement (other than the snarky emoji) and still agree with you - lol. Seems pretty cheapo (as does the retaining ring). Carlyle generally isn't a budget-priced product, so I'm a little puzzled. So while it is just a cover for the retaining ring legs, it doesn't encourage me to buy it...

You know I was using one of my Wera Zlyklop Speed ratchets today, which I absolutely love, and I noticed that it has plastic parts. I never really took much notice of them before this thread. Using that ratchet got me thinking about this thread and how my statement was pretty hypocritical. So now I'm just as confused as you!

Comfort handle ratchet?

What kind of junk do you buy that the comfort handle is plastic???

 

[Rinspeed]

No way in hell am I taking mine apart, I would lose one of those tiny springs for sure.

 

[M6erfan]

No way in hell am I taking mine apart, I would lose one of those tiny springs for sure.

Dude, they're tiny!

 

[superautobacs]

Yeah, the spring is tiny for sure! I almost lost mine when I clipped a couple coils off my TONE rebrand. They are made by Hi-Five...their Super-Ten model

 

[mr.lemons]

Yeah, the spring is tiny for sure! I almost lost mine when I clipped a couple coils off my TONE rebrand. They are made by Hi-Five...their Super-Ten model

'Super-Ten,' thanks for that. Looks like 'Signet' is the main rebranded here in the UK. Or at least, that's what comes up on Ebay search.



Did taking a couple of coils off make much difference?

 

[superautobacs]

'Super-Ten,' thanks for that. Looks like 'Signet' is the main rebranded here in the UK. Or at least, that's what comes up on Ebay search.



Did taking a couple of coils off make much difference?

Yes, made a significant difference. Did the mod 4 years ago and no regrets.

TONE by ChrisCas aka Superautobacs, on Flickr


Interesting, I didn't know Signet was another rebrand.
Like Fedwrench mentioned above, in North America Powerbuilt Tools is another rebrand. ... subtle differences near the handle, but the mechanism is the same:

 

[lardy1]

I have a Blackhawk 1/4" drive that I've never really liked in that configuration (although I really like my two Carlyle's). I may try clipping the spring in that one. Two coils, eh?

 

[superautobacs]

@lardy1 I'd go slow. Start with half a coil, re-assemble and feel it out.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Plastic doesn't belong on metal ratchets. I thought I was allowed to have an opinion.

You haven't been here long enough.

 

[JatoTheRipper]

You haven't been here long enough.

When does the beat in end?

 

[mr.lemons]

Tried cutting a little off the springs. Actually, first tried removing one spring altogether. Ratchet mechanism still worked well, and with less back drag, but the direction switch looses its positive snap from left to right as the springs are also used to tension the switch. Trimming 2-3 coils off both springs is a good middle ground. A little less back drag and little less tension on the switch. The switch has a pretty low profile, so hopefully won't get accidentally knocked too much.

 

[Mr_B]

I picked up another version of the high-five super-ten ratchet, this one extendable .
3/8 drive, keeping it for mobile tools as covers lot of options all in one ratchet, nice and long on full extension and grip nice in hand and look likely pretty durable.
Nice soft satin finish . nothing bling about it but all functions well and the QR holds sockets/extensions securely and button recessed and whole head design/switches nice and compact .
Used it in the shop for couple weeks before stripping it, this one was little higher on drag than the carlyle so I clipped springs by about 2 coils, give it bit more use and it be about perfect as if cut too much spring it likely cause pawl and switch issues .
The plastic clip cover is to reduce debris getting in around retaining ring as could cause issues dismantling if ring groove full of crud, you'll want a fine pick or better yet a T-pin to push in on the tab and flip the plastic cover up as it pretty small .
I lube it with synthetic atf and small bit of red lithium, nice and smooth and very usable design ratchet, less than 50 bucks off eBay UK .
Is good value and good design and above average quality for mid range ratchets .
https://i.postimg.cc/k4q2zWTJ/IMG-20220206-164509.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/C5JrkCQz/IMG-20220206-164417.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/Dzt9wc9h/IMG-20220206-164259.jpg

* only bad design area I see in usage is the direction selector can not be changed when flex joint at full 90degrees up as tip of selector can't clear flex knuckle, carlyle the same . Minor issue but been easy spot and rectify this in developing and testing stage !
For the price they superb and back drag becomes minimal with spring cut and lube along with bit of break-in usage .

 

[Mr_B]

While it's a cool, Batman-shaped plastic piece it's still plastic and that's a no for me. Thanks for the pics and info!

It good enough for TONE, they also using the super-ten design/patent/taiwan manufacturing partners one would assume .
The plastic cover purely reduces dirt ingress into retaining clip grove, it not a big deal but at TONE prices it no so great lol .