Finally bought a SO ratchet, lube question fcf72

[jrlp]

Well, I finally bought my first SO ratchet. You guys are terrible. I picked up an fcf72 off ebay used in really good condition. I haven't had a chance to try it yet (Just picked it up at home) but, should I take it apart and RLL it? I use RLL in all my other ratchets, even my unsealed Craftsman that I use for everything.

Should I take it apart, clean it out, and rll it? This is my first 'sealed' ratchet.. and hope to be turning it quite often. Is the fcf72 selector supposed to be raised above the surface of the ratchet about 1/16"? Or almost dragging?

 

[marnav1]

All I can say is after my experience last week be real careful what you put in there.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

I just use what the factory does, Superlube.

 

[mr.speaker]

Super lube works on those and that's what snap on puts on them. You can pick it up at harbor freight.

If the ratchet feels fine you can leave it alone.

 

[twincam00]

Another vote for Superlube, get it at HF with a 20% coupon. DO NOT pack the ratchet full of grease, it will just work its way out.

The selectors seem hit and miss, Ive had some that drag on the ratchet body and others that have a good space between

 

[jrlp]

Hmm, well I just cleaned it out. The lube was still pretty clean, almost no wear visible on the teeth, there was a slight drag on the plate underneath where the o-ring wasn't quite lubbed. I RLL'd it up. I see superlube on HF's site (we don't have one here). Is there an oil version? Or just grease? I put maybe 2-3 drops of rll in it, and it seems much smoother than it did with what ever it had in there.

Marnav, what was your experience?

I think I prefer the selector to be above the body rather than it drag.

 

[OEXL16B]

In this video you can see the person at the Snap-on factory apply the SuperLube at 3:10

 

[mvptrukin]

I hope you realize that the FCF72 is a 3/8" drive in a 1/4" ratchet,not made to really reef on it! I vote for super lube also. My selector doesn't drag ,you can easily slide a thick piece of paper between the selector and the body. I haven't had it apart since new a few years ago.

 

[marnav1]

Hmm, well I just cleaned it out. The lube was still pretty clean, almost no wear visible on the teeth, there was a slight drag on the plate underneath where the o-ring wasn't quite lubbed. I RLL'd it up. I see superlube on HF's site (we don't have one here). Is there an oil version? Or just grease? I put maybe 2-3 drops of rll in it, and it seems much smoother than it did with what ever it had in there.

Marnav, what was your experience?

I think I prefer the selector to be above the body rather than it drag.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=157802

 

[TwoInch]

if snap on uses superlube, id say its good enough for me.

ace hardwares usually carry it also.

superlube makes all kinds of lubricants, oils, different greases, sprays. but the most popular and stocked at any stores is the regular 21030 grease, its just the right viscosity and consistency. its rated ngli #2 grease, but it is very different than any other #2 bearing grease i have used. seems closer to a #1 to me, a softer grease, slightly more fluid. it also contains micronized PTFE(teflon) and it doesnt settle out of suspension.

personally, RLL is okay. messy tho, and isnt supposed to be in contact with skin for prolonged periods really. the superlube is USDA food grade rated for incidental food contact, and is a killer lubricant. thats my .02

 

[ChrisF250]

I tried superlube and much prefer rll. All in all as long as its lubricated I think the rest is personal preference

 

[billymade]

Try different lubes until you find one that works for you; the main criticism of RLL is it eventually seeps out. Currently, I am using synthetic wheel bearing grease with good results.

 

[WaltherHa]

the ratchet feels fine you can leave it alone

 

[TwoInch]

i just had a good look at the superlube site. it seems the regular multipurpose grease that is so popular is also made in NGLI 1, 0, 00, and 000. i bet the #1 or #0 would be an even better ratchet lubricant, as it seems some guys have trouble with the #2 being a bit to thick, and making pawls stick and lock up.

the only issue is that it must be ordered, unless you have a graingers near. im going to order a tube of the #1 or #0 and see how that goes. ill be sure to update later on after i use it.

 

[redwrench60]

One more place that sells Superlube is you local GM dealer, it has a GM part #. It's called for in various service procedures and technicial service bullitins.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

Lube ?

 

[CaisedoA]

What would you guys recommend for a snap on dual 80, i just got a fhx80 and its not as smooth as some f80's ive used before, is it the lube or do they just get smoother after some use?

 

[TwoInch]

One more place that sells Superlube is you local GM dealer, it has a GM part #. It's called for in various service procedures and technicial service bullitins.

superlube is rebranded for many companies. thompson center also did/does rebrand superlube as their breech plug grease.

 

[jrlp]

Hmm, when I first put it back together it worked one way but not the other. One of the 'fingers' on the right side pawl didn't sit in the slot properly. There are 2 springs in the fcf72. One is between the two pawls and actually holds them together, and the other gets dropped into the piece that sits above the selector on top of the bearing that locks the selector switch. I'll try superlube.. I'm not a brand guy.. I was able to get RLL at Advanced, haven't been able to get superlube yet. For the 5 minutes it takes to get the ratchet apart, spray it with carb cleaner, lube the o-rings, put it back together and drop some lube in it, I'll try 'em all.

Mvptrukin, I wasn't planning on it. I just used it tonight to drop the heat shields and underbody plastic trays from the S55 I just got in. I love the lack of back-drag on it for taking those pointy plastic screws out. It never once screwed it back in instead of ratcheting.

[bold]Now I have to buy more SO 80 ratchets. What have you done to me, GJ?!?![/bold]

 

[jtfc]

Why do you want to lube up the ratchet?unless its not ratcheting properly I wouldn't mess with it it should come prelubed.just use it constantly and you will be fine.im sure the oem lube that came in my ratchet has been replaced with a diesel,coolant,gear oil,atf and various other chemical cocktail and ill be damned if that ratchet isn't smoother then when I bought it.

 

[TwoInch]

Hmm, when I first put it back together it worked one way but not the other. One of the 'fingers' on the right side pawl didn't sit in the slot properly. There are 2 springs in the fcf72. One is between the two pawls and actually holds them together, and the other gets dropped into the piece that sits above the selector on top of the bearing that locks the selector switch. I'll try superlube.. I'm not a brand guy.. I was able to get RLL at Advanced, haven't been able to get superlube yet. For the 5 minutes it takes to get the ratchet apart, spray it with carb cleaner, lube the o-rings, put it back together and drop some lube in it, I'll try 'em all.

Mvptrukin, I wasn't planning on it. I just used it tonight to drop the heat shields and underbody plastic trays from the S55 I just got in. I love the lack of back-drag on it for taking those pointy plastic screws out. It never once screwed it back in instead of ratcheting.

[bold]Now I have to buy more SO 80 ratchets. What have you done to me, GJ?!?![/bold]

id go with brake cleaner instead of carb cleaner. just remove the o-rings or seals first. i think some carb cleaners leave a fairly heavy residue.

 

[TwoInch]

Why do you want to lube up the ratchet?unless its not ratcheting properly I wouldn't mess with it it should come prelubed.just use it constantly and you will be fine.im sure the oem lube that came in my ratchet has been replaced with a diesel,coolant,gear oil,atf and various other chemical cocktail and ill be damned if that ratchet isn't smoother then when I bought it.

i do believe he said it was a used ratchet in the OP. i always make sure to clean and lube used ratchets when i first get them. with brand new ratchets, i usually open them up to see if there is sufficient lube in them, and if its clean. many times there is barely any lube brand new. craftsman ratchets usually come new with some dirty gritty oil in them. the gearwrenches i bought were practically bone dry. and HF or other very cheap ratchets are usually dry, or almost, too.

never hurts to have a look, and go from there. id prefer a ratchet to work for years and years, even if it has a lifetime warranty.

 

[OEXL16B]

Why do you want to lube up the ratchet?

Because lubing ratchets is a very satisfying experience for some of us OCD stricken tool fanatics.

 

[TwoInch]

Because lubing ratchets is a very satisfying experience for some of us OCD stricken tool fanatics.

little bit of that too

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

put a new kit...