flexible gear wrenches

[mikehaugen]

Am I the only one that continually has the flex head become loose and flop around? It is the most annoying thing to try to use. I have not found a successful way to tighten them up either, so if anyone has come up with a solution I am all ears. The strange thing is, it does not seem gradual, like it wore out... one day it will be fine, and the next it flops like a wet noodle. I have in the past had Sears warranty them, but it was a pain, and I don't even know where the nearest Sears is anymore.

 

[mr.lemons]

My flex head wrenches are branded Halfords but I think they came from the same factory as Gearwrench so may work the same. There is a bent metal washer that causes the friction and the washer flattens out over time.

Tightening the torx bolt alters the flex a little but I think it's designed to hold the pivot together rather than as a way to adjust it.

Remove the torx bolt and see the washer inside the pivot.

Remove washer and see that it is bent.

Increase or decrease the 'bentness' to vary the friction. Not had one snap yet but I image they will do.

If all else fails you can close this gap in a vice or with a hammer.

 

[jimmyin3D]

My flex head wrenches are branded Halfords but I think they came from the same factory as Gearwrench so may work the same. There is a bent metal washer that causes the friction and the washer flattens out over time.

Tightening the torx bolt alters the flex a little but I think it's designed to hold the pivot together rather than as a way to adjust it.

Remove the torx bolt and see the washer inside the pivot.

Remove washer and see that it is bent.

Increase or decrease the 'bentness' to vary the friction. Not had one snap yet but I image they will do.

If all else fails you can close this gap in a vice or with a hammer.

That’s exactly what I have done for some flex head ratchets I used to have. But instead of that washer it was a small spring that I extended out.

My Gearwrench 120XP flex head ratcheting wrenches have a torx screw to tighten down. Easy as can be. Nothing worse than that floppy head.

 

[Fedwrench]

You know they make locking versions so, you can avoid head flop.

 

[jgromada]

Good to know

 

[mr.lemons]

Checked my Facom flex head ratchet and the pivot works exactly the same way.