Craftsman Ratchet Selector/Pawl Removal

[Buckfever5]

I searched the forum but couldn’t find what I’m looking for. I’m trying to disassemble this ratchet to clean and lube it. Does anyone know how the selector switch comes off? I don’t see a ring or clip.

 

[Cruzan80]

It is riveted on. The screws release the cover plate from the drive side. It is similar (virtually identical to, IIRC) the Plomb ratchets of the era (Plomb made them for Sears). Again IIRC, this was pre-Proto, timeline-wise.

 

[bonneyman]

Yeah, it's peened on. The shaft from the pawl inside extends past the outside plate, and the selector is slid over the shaft and lightly pounded down over it.
If you don't have a rebuild kit, it's easier just to thoroughly to clean and lightly lube the internals in place and just use it.

 

[Buckfever5]

Thanks to both of you. I’m glad I’m finally learning a little patience and asked before I just tried to force it off. I’ll take the cover back off and clean it the best I can as it is. I’m assuming rebuild kits aren’t easy to find for this ratchet.

 

[PowderKeg]

These are post-Proto/Pendleton sourced, the boxheads are the first ones from Moore Drop Forge (MDF). The pawl doesn't just come out like the next-gen pearheads (without surgery on the peened-on lever), best to just remove the cover and gear and soak/blast cleaner in/around the pawl to clean any gunk out, then re-lube with oil or similar (no grease). If the ratchet doesn't show any obvious signs of abuse/cheater use/hammering it's probably just gunked up.

 

[four.cycle]

^ what he said.
I disassemble them (withOUT removing the selector lever), soak them in paint thinner a couple days, then blast them good with some aerosol brake cleaner (or Gumout "Jetspray") and then reassemble with a little oil. Works 99 times out of a hundred.

 

[bonneyman]

Thanks to both of you. I’m glad I’m finally learning a little patience and asked before I just tried to force it off. I’ll take the cover back off and clean it the best I can as it is. I’m assuming rebuild kits aren’t easy to find for this ratchet.

10-4 You need alot of patience if you're going to do alot of ratchet rebuilds. Balls and springs have a nasty habit of disappearing into the deep recesses of the shop without warning.

 

[four.cycle]

^ yeah.. that too. do NOT disassemble ratchets in a dark, cluttered garage. do NOT disassemble ratchets on the patio next to the lawn.
disassemble ratchets ONLY at the kitchen table, with all the lights ON, and all the doors and windows closed.

There's more than one member on GarageJournal.com who got a free ratchet from yours truly that was missing a spring or detent ball.

 

[Buckfever5]

First one I disassembled I was struggling to get the selector detent ball back in. It shot across the workbench and hit the floor. I looked on my hands and knees on the basement floor. Couldn’t find it. Stood up in defeat and stepped on it. I’m sure Dad was laughing at me up there.