M J Peters
Active member
Trying to determine if this is an issue which needs addressed or not. Also, not sure that I'm using the right terminology on what is happening.
When loosening a bolt there are not issues. The pawl locks in place and holds. When ratcheting back for the next swing, there is a strong, distinctive click and the reverse switch barely moves.
When tightening a bolt, I experience an issue. The pawl still locks in place and holds, however, when ratcheting back for the next swing, the reverse switch moves almost an 1/8' inch toward the middle and the "clicking" is very light. When you go to take the next swing at tightening, again the pawl locks up. If I hold by thumb barely on the quick release button, the return ratching is as tight and distinct as when loosening a bolt. If I put my thumb on the reverse lever - same thing.
While it appears that the ratchet is doing its job loosening and tightening bolts, I'm concerned that whatever is causing the switch to move towards the middle and make for a light "ratcheting", will just progress to the point where the switch falls to the middle and won't reverse ratchet at all.
I have opened it up, cleaned it thoroughly, stretched the detent ball spring and lubed it multiple times (using different amounts of grease), with the same result. It's always when ratcheting back from tightening.
Unlike SK Tools, which sent me a rebuild kit for my 60 year old 42470 no questions asked, Craftsman apparently does not provide rebuild kits. Your only option with them is replacement. A rebuild kit on eBay is more than the cost of buying another (used) 44813.
So, before I bite the bullet and have them warranty it out with a new one, I would like to determine if this is really an issue to worry about - or if there is something else to try.
Thanks for the help.
MJP
When loosening a bolt there are not issues. The pawl locks in place and holds. When ratcheting back for the next swing, there is a strong, distinctive click and the reverse switch barely moves.
When tightening a bolt, I experience an issue. The pawl still locks in place and holds, however, when ratcheting back for the next swing, the reverse switch moves almost an 1/8' inch toward the middle and the "clicking" is very light. When you go to take the next swing at tightening, again the pawl locks up. If I hold by thumb barely on the quick release button, the return ratching is as tight and distinct as when loosening a bolt. If I put my thumb on the reverse lever - same thing.
While it appears that the ratchet is doing its job loosening and tightening bolts, I'm concerned that whatever is causing the switch to move towards the middle and make for a light "ratcheting", will just progress to the point where the switch falls to the middle and won't reverse ratchet at all.
I have opened it up, cleaned it thoroughly, stretched the detent ball spring and lubed it multiple times (using different amounts of grease), with the same result. It's always when ratcheting back from tightening.
Unlike SK Tools, which sent me a rebuild kit for my 60 year old 42470 no questions asked, Craftsman apparently does not provide rebuild kits. Your only option with them is replacement. A rebuild kit on eBay is more than the cost of buying another (used) 44813.
So, before I bite the bullet and have them warranty it out with a new one, I would like to determine if this is really an issue to worry about - or if there is something else to try.
Thanks for the help.
MJP