Help with Kobalt ratchet

[TDRucker]

I have a Kobalt 04030 1/2" ratchet. It is one of the early ones made by Williams. The problem is that today I dropped it and it landed just right to crack-off the little lever that switches the ratchet action. Busted clean off. I can remove nuts and bolts forever but I kinda would like to actually put things back together.

Does anyone know where to get repair parts for these? I have looked everywhere.

I had heard that some Snap-on or Williams kits might work as well but I cant find any info on these.

Any help in locating some repair parts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[AlD]

I would just buy another ratchet off eBay and either keep it, or use it for parts. No one is going to stock parts for that thing. Good luck!
Al

 

[kythri]

Check the picture here, and see if this might work:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007YR9R1K/?tag=atomicindus08-20

You can probably find that repair kit cheaper elsewhere.

A purchaser of the 3/8 kit claimed he used his to fix a Kobalt 3030 ratchet, so, who knows?

 

[mikebaker1129]

I am pretty sure parts are nonexistent ,but the same ratchet was sold by Bahco and Harley Davidson.
I have not found a kit made by Williams that fit the Kobalt -Williams ratchets.

 

[TDRucker]

Thanks for all the tips. I think I am on the right track and I really appreciate the help. I have a hard time throwing things away if I can make them work. I will follow up on these leads and see if I can't get it working again. Fortunately I have my trusty fine-toothed SK standing by but I really liked the feel of the Kobalt.

If I come up with a good solution I will post in case anyone else has the same problem.

 

[Jason280]

I'm not positive, but you should be able to take it back to Lowe's and get a warranty replacement.

 

[mikebaker1129]

I'm not positive, but you should be able to take it back to Lowe's and get a warranty replacement.

Yes,but it wil be a Asian ratchet for what was a decent ratchet.

 

[Empty Pockets]

While I understand your concern about COO, a working asian import has more value than a non-working domestic ratchet

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Yes,but it wil be a Asian ratchet for what was a decent ratchet.

The Taiwan made Kobalt (especially the low profile ratchets) are surprisingly nice. I warrantied a couple of Danaher era junk Kobalts for them, and they worked great.

Williams outsourced that older design to Taiwan (also sold as Blue Point) with enough changes that I sincerely doubt the import kit would work, they just kept the overall look the same. The USA Williams pear heads were all swapped over to the 36 tooth Snap-on mechanism, so no clue if those kits would work either. Might have to experiment and see what works, but that could get expensive quick.

 

[TDRucker]

All really good points and I thank you for them. The internals on my Kobalt look just like the 36 tooth internals on some of the repair kits that you all have suggested.

There is a local professional tool store nearby and he carries Bahco, Knipex, SK, etc. and some other good brands so I will go see what he can cook-up.

I went into Lowes tonight to see what would be the warranty swap and there was a 72 tooth and a 90! tooth that were both made in Taiwan and looked decent. So based on the advice I have seen here regarding the Taiwanese made tools. I will probably go that route unless the tool guy performs a miracle.

Thanks again and keep on wrenching. Oh, Jason 280, based on your avatar, I think you might want to see what is in your water!

 

[mikebaker1129]

The selector ,pawl and pawl screw on a 36 tooth duralast ratchet fits in my kobalt ratchet just fine.
Mine is a 3/8 drive FWIW.

The Williams USA 1/2 repair kit comes with a new selector which will fit but the screw may need trimmed, or the Snap on version which may be cheaper at $10.

 

[Jason280]

Thanks again and keep on wrenching. Oh, Jason 280, based on your avatar, I think you might want to see what is in your water!

If you need a 1/2" ratchet, let me know....I'm sure I have an extra one laying around I can send you. I thought I may have one of the older Kobalts, but can't find it. I may have a newer one, have to check through the "extra ratchet" drawer.