Do i really need to lube my ratchets?

[Conductor562]

Hold them inside a freezer bag or something when you actually pull it apart. It will keep a thin layer of protection between your **** and Narnia

 

[TwoInch]

most ratchets can be lube pretty well without taking them apart. just pull the cover, spray out with brakleen, let dry, and a few drop of RLL or oil and put the cover back on. no need to pull everything out unless its an old ratchet that is fully gunked up and not working properly.

round heads are different, but usually can be pulled from the body without disassembling the mechanism and risking losing parts and bearings. same procedure, pull out, brakleen, dry, lube, put back together.

if still nervous to try it, dunk the heads in oil or atf for ten minutes. its better than them being dry inside.

 

[CWP1616L]

Sometimes things belong inside one another.
Often, a little lube helps get that sort of fitting up started...

I feel like I need to take a shower after reading that.

 

[Exceller8]

I feel like I need to take a shower after reading that.

 

[Burgerkong]

I use light air tool oil.

 

[bran1har]

If my ratchet breaks due to lack of lube, I just trade it in for a new one, it has lifetime warranty.

 

[ATC]

I just squirt some Liquid Wrench white lithium grease in some of mine. The others, I put a few drops of ATF in them. The ATF is a little messy as it leaks out, but it doesn't take long for the excess to drain out...

 

[kc-steve]

I didn't see this mentioned, but sometimes ratchet lube will dry out with age. I've seen it happen a few times. The first time I saw it happen my response was to take the ratchet back to Sears to warranty a classic V. Luckily they happened to have a similar "rebuilt" classic V ratchet to replace it. I certainly didn't want to replace a classic US-made ratchet with a new import.

The ratchet was skipping as though the teeth were worn off. But it was just a simple case of dried out lubrication due to age. I found it is easy to troubleshoot by spraying WD40 in it and if the ratcheting mechanism improves then it is just dried lube and needs to be cleaned and re-lubed. I hate to see a good classic ratchet go to waste even if you can buy another for $5 at a flea market.

Steve

 

[Lasu]

I use engine oil for fine tooth ratchets.