Help with Herbrand Ratchet Repair

[Leviton]

I picked up a Herbrand J-5 at a garage sale with a transverse slide shifter and dual pawls. The problem is, as it sits it does not ratchet. If you hold the shifter to one side or the other it will work appropriately, but as soon as you let go of the shifter it stops ratcheting. I've taken it apart and am puzzled. Both pawls always want to be engaged unless you hold the shifter to one side or the other. I don't see how this could work? Are these non factory components, or am I missing something?

Thanks.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

....or am I missing something?

Yes, you are. I don't have a J-5, but I have an M-5 and they are the same design. See that hole in the shifter post? There's supposed to be a little spring topped off with a detent ball in there. See the nub on the back of the face plate? When it's screwed in place, that nub pushes down on the ball and spring. I'll take some photos if you want.

 

[Leviton]

Yes, you are. I don't have a J-5, but I have an M-5 and they are the same design. See that hole in the shifter post? There's supposed to be a little spring topped off with a detent ball in there. See the nub on the back of the face plate? When it's screwed in place, that nub pushes down on the ball and spring. I'll take some photos if you want.

Thanks for the info Lugz. If you could take some photos I would really appreciate it. Looks like I am going to have to do some part searching.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Here are some photos. I removed the spring and ball to see what would happen, and, as you might expect, it will not function properly. It does exactly like you said. It needs the pressure from the face plate to work. As for a fix, I would cannibalize a pen or anything with a simple spring that will fit the hole and cut it to size. Same thing for the ball. Any steel ball that fits will do. Just experiment until you get enough pressure. You should have to forcibly press the face plate down to install the screws. And you should have to hold it down when you remove them.

 

[Leviton]

Here are some photos. I removed the spring and ball to see what would happen, and, as you might expect, it will not function properly. It does exactly like you said. It needs the pressure from the face plate to work. As for a fix, I would cannibalize a pen or anything with a simple spring that will fit the hole and cut it to size. Same thing for the ball. Any steel ball that fits will do. Just experiment until you get enough pressure. You should have to forcibly press the face plate down to install the screws. And you should have to hold it down when you remove them.

Lugz. Thanks for taking the time to do that and take photographs. Great explanation. This is good news - the missing parts are simple. It seems like most times that I have to obtain a missing part for a garage sale find, the missing part costs 10X more than the tool itself. Not so this time! Thanks.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

You're welcome. It gave me the opportunity to re-grease mine. You'll have yours working in no time. They're nice, smooth ratchets.

 

[bonneyman]

I've been a fan of the old style Herbrand ratchets since I got my first one.

 

[Leviton]

After buying an 1/8" ball bearing and an 1/8" compression spring at Ace Hardware everything is back in business! Has a smooth action. All good for another 65 years. Thanks Lugz.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Nice repair!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

After buying an 1/8" ball bearing and an 1/8" compression spring at Ace Hardware everything is back in business! Has a smooth action. All good for another 65 years. Thanks Lugz.

You're welcome. Nice work!