how to remove broken snap ring?

[boostedgt]

I was going to take apart an old 1/4" dr craftsman v selector ratchet and the ends of the snap ring just broke off

not sure how to proceed? trade in on a new chinese ratchet?

ratchet works great one way, skips going the other way, thats why i was taking it apart

 

[TAMPAGT07]

Just use a set of broken snap ring pliers......

 

[gsmornot]

Small screwdriver to push the ring around the circle a bit until you can see it in the opening. Use a pick or small screwdriver or something to get under the ring and pry up. If you can get a rebuild kit they typically come with a new one. The few I used I think had one in it, either way try not to break it further to have a backup. I'm not 100% certain on the new clip in the parts bag of the kit, just guessing from memory.

Option 2 is same as above but ask at Sears if they have one in the back or will let you take a ring from one of their stock.

 

[trout]

rebuild kits come with a new one. if it's missing the kit is incomplete.

how much of the snap ring broke off? I would try and use either the broken part of the snap ring or some stiff wire and a pair of needle nose pliers to push or pull the rest out anyway I could.

 

[rharman]

Just use a set of broken snap ring pliers......

WOW, that is a specialized tool. Didn't know they made them...

Now I know what those broken screwdrivers are for - broken screws, of course!.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

WOW, that is a specialized tool. Didn't know they made them...

Now I know what those broken screwdrivers are for - broken screws, of course!.

Hold on there a minute cowboy......Are they right handed or left handed broken screwdrivers?? (Some of our members have sooooo much to learn.)

 

[Midman914]

Wow, this just happened to me a week ago with my 1/4" V. I was taking mine apart just to lube it. It is in very good condition, so I think it is a design flaw. The square stock is too small for the bends to have pressure applied to them for the removal process. They both just broke off with almost no pressure applied. I freaked when this happened. I just used my small picks to push it around to where I could grab the ring with small needle nose pliers and just pulled it out. Just pull it like a pull starter on a small engine. It will come right out. Now my problem is the finding of the ring. I hope the kit comes with it, but have not seen one yet. If I can't find one I was thinking of trying to make one out of music wire. I'm not too far from Detroit in Ann Arbor, so if you find one local let me know. Oh yeah, I went in to Ace looking to see if they carried a ring like that and the the dude helping me kept trying to get me to trade it for some China junk even though I told him that it was my Dads and he passed away, so it was not even an option. He was like, BUT YOU CAN GET A NEW ONE!! He's is probably a good guy, but some people just don't get it.

 

[jmm]

Wow, this just happened to me a week ago with my 1/4" V. I was taking mine apart just to lube it. It is in very good condition, so I think it is a design flaw. The square stock is too small for the bends to have pressure applied to them for the removal process. They both just broke off with almost no pressure applied. I freaked when this happened. I just used my small picks to push it around to where I could grab the ring with small needle nose pliers and just pulled it out. Just pull it like a pull starter on a small engine. It will come right out. Now my problem is the finding of the ring. I hope the kit comes with it, but have not seen one yet. If I can't find one I was thinking of trying to make one out of music wire. I'm not too far from Detroit in Ann Arbor, so if you find one local let me know. Oh yeah, I went in to Ace looking to see if they carried a ring like that and the the dude helping me kept trying to get me to trade it for some China junk even though I told him that it was my Dads and he passed away, so it was not even an option. He was like, BUT YOU CAN GET A NEW ONE!! He's is probably a good guy, but some people just don't get it.

I don't know for sure, but I'd assume they don't make that retaining ring specifically for Craftsman. It's probably a common piece of hardware. Shouldn't be hard to find online or at a well-stocked hardware store. I think even the box stores carry retaining rings. Worst case scenario: find a donor ratchet at a flea market and steal your ring from it.

OP: I've never broken one on a ratchet, but I have run into plenty of broken/fouled retaining rings. I usually cut them off with a good pair of cutters. Other times, I've done it with a dremel. If I don't have to worry about screwing up something near it (like a shaft...), I muscle it out with a screwdriver.

 

[jakemac]

Wow, this just happened to me a week ago with my 1/4" V. I was taking mine apart just to lube it. It is in very good condition, so I think it is a design flaw. The square stock is too small for the bends to have pressure applied to them for the removal process. They both just broke off with almost no pressure applied. I freaked when this happened. I just used my small picks to push it around to where I could grab the ring with small needle nose pliers and just pulled it out. Just pull it like a pull starter on a small engine. It will come right out. Now my problem is the finding of the ring. I hope the kit comes with it, but have not seen one yet. If I can't find one I was thinking of trying to make one out of music wire. I'm not too far from Detroit in Ann Arbor, so if you find one local let me know. Oh yeah, I went in to Ace looking to see if they carried a ring like that and the the dude helping me kept trying to get me to trade it for some China junk even though I told him that it was my Dads and he passed away, so it was not even an option. He was like, BUT YOU CAN GET A NEW ONE!! He's is probably a good guy, but some people just don't get it.

Yes, the rebuild kits come with new springs. The hard part is finding the right kit for the old ratchets that isn't discontinued. If your ratchet has the Butterfly selector, you will need to re-use the one you have. The kits only come with the Lo-profile long levers.

 

[Midman914]

Looks like kit #44783 contains the right snap ring. I just couldn't use the gear as it is quick release and mine isn't. Not a big deal. I just checked and my 1/4# V has no serial number. I'm sure if I just keep checking ebay a more correct kit will pop up.

 

[rharman]

Hold on there a minute cowboy......Are they right handed or left handed broken screwdrivers?? (Some of our members have sooooo much to learn.)

Reversible.....

Rookies in Florida..... Jeesh

 

[boostedgt]

stabbed myself trying to get the ring out.. this turd is going to sears. hopefully there will be an old school ratchet in the rebuilt pile

 

[boostedgt]

exactly

 

[TwoInch]

exactly

p.s. dont swap that old v ratchet, they are not that bad, buckle down and fix the damn thing! if you cant handle that, you got no use for the shiny new one you are gonna get for a replacement....

 

[Midman914]

I stabbed myself too during this procedure. I forgot until you posted that. Hang in there, once you get that clip rotated enough that you can get a bite on it with some pliers she will pull right out. It is such a small gauge that it won't put up much of a fight at that that point. It probably has some old dried grease and crud that has been there since the late 50s early 60s. Soak it with plenty of WD40 or similar. Nothing worthwhile is ever easy, overcome you must young Skywalker.

 

[kriwoel]

Specialized Left Handed Flat-head Broken Screwdriver used together with Broken Sets of Snap-ring Plier only for Broken Circlip Ring.

Whataf**inname... LOL

 

[boostedgt]

update: sears had no rebuilds (hoping for an old school usa) so i got a new china one off the rack.

on the plus side there was no hassle on the warranty other than the salesman disappearing and leaving a line at the register for 5 min

 

[jakemac]

[sob] It's a sad, sad day. As another classic USA made tool goes to the Craftsman furnace.

 

[boostedgt]

[sob] It's a sad, sad day. As another classic USA made tool goes to the Craftsman furnace.

i know.. i actually felt guilt when i heard it fall in the box of misfit tools

 

[LXCam]

i know.. i actually felt guilt when i heard it fall in the box of misfit tools

Maybe you can find some comfort in knowing it will be reincarnated as a Pittsburg $.99 screw driver.













Shame on you

 

[trout]

More than likely it'll end up on ebay.

 

[Midman914]

OUCH! Another one bites the dust. Oh well, as Jesse James once said, "all the others just went up in value.". Doesn't matter to me. Mine will never be for sale. Every time I use it my Dad will be right there with me. He bought his in 1955 when he was just 16 years old. My son is a computer **** (no offense to computer dorks, he just has no love of tools) but my daughter, now 9, knows what's cool. Funny I never thought that my girly daughter would love to work on things and love tools. 100% Daddy's girl.

 

[TwoInch]

i would absolutely rather have the half working old ratchet, even if it just sat on the bench as a paper weight... than any RP ratchet made in the last fifteen years. they are terrible terrible tools.

what a shame.

 

[STEVENC]

This is an old post, but I just went through the struggle of getting the ring out myself. My end result was success. Hoping my idea can help someone else in the future.

I could not move the ring with small ss wire or a screwdriver, so I soaked the ratchet in wd40 and then put the drive side on a drill and spun the thing. eventually it kicked enough of the ring over for me to get a pair of pliers on it. I broke off another section and repeated the process. The friction and wd may be enough to kick it over for someone else as well.