Resolved - KTC BRSW3L Ratchet - Help

[Madjik Man]

Went to use the KTC BRSW3L ratchet I bought last month or so for the first time.

The first time I applied torque the ratchet mechanism seize up completely. Wouldn't budge or ratchet. You gotta be friggen kidding me.

I took the T25 screw out of the back and cannot for the life figure out wtf is wrong. I put the screw back in with the pawl, anvil and little retention wire(?) all in the same configuration and now the anvil won't move at all. I can even remove the directional backing plate and just put the anvil and pawl in place and try to turn the anvil and nothing happens. It doesn't move.

Can anyone help me put this thing back together so it works? I've taken my Tektons, Craftsmans, etc all apart to clean and lube no problem. But this one I honestly have no idea what's wrong with it.

The only thing I can think of is the little nub on the bottom side of the directional backing plate goes somewhere I can't figure out.

I appreciate any help. I can't imagine trying to send this back to Japan for a warranty issue.

 

[KnurledNut]

The nub goes inside the “point” on the spring.
See #9 in this pic:

 

[Fedwrench]

With that style of round head ratchet, there is a sweet spot when tightening the screw. Many people run it all the way in, snug but, not tight, then back it out a little at a time until you achieve the best ratcheting movement. I know that Proto instruction sheet shows grease but, I think those ratchets perform better with thin oil rather than grease. Hope things work out for you.

 

[Madjik Man]

The nub goes inside the “point” on the spring.
See #9 in this pic:

I did that and it doesn't seem to want to work. If I tighten the screw all the way down the anvil is completely seize. So I back the screw off the slightest bit and the pawl just wants to skip across the teeth in the ratchet head. So I tighten it back down even slighter and the ratcheting action is awful. Crunchy, skipping, binding all at once.

This is my first KTC purchase. I had much higher expectations. The ratchet didn't even work once.

 

[Madjik Man]

So I emailed [email protected]

I'm not expecting much. Plus shipping this ratchet back to Japan is going to cost twice as much as I paid for it. Severely disappointed with KTC. I know their reputation is high on this forum but this is a terrible experience for me.

 

[Madjik Man]

With that style of round head ratchet, there is a sweet spot when tightening the screw. Many people run it all the way in, snug but, not tight, then back it out a little at a time until you achieve the best ratcheting movement. I know that Proto instruction sheet shows grease but, I think those ratchets perform better with thin oil rather than grease. Hope things work out for you.

Yeah I only use Lucas Extreme Gun Oil on tooth counts 72 and higher, much more fluid than grease.

Things didn't work out for me (following the above instructions and trying to find that sweet spot of the screw tightening).

I have to see if KTC in Japan will assist with the warranty, if it's worth it shipping it back... or I just have a very expensive roto-head breaker bar which will probably grenade upon first use.

 

[Madjik Man]

If there is anyone in the Denver metro area that can help, I'd be more than happy to pay you for your time.

 

[KnurledNut]

@Madjik Man
Are you installing the heart spring with the two legs twisted like in your picture? That might be causing it to bind. Those should be beside each other like this:

 

[Madjik Man]

@Madjik Man
Are you installing the heart spring with the two legs twisted like in your picture? That might be causing it to bind. Those should be beside each other like this:

Upon further examination that heart spring is missing one of the legs. Only one protrudes to insert into the pawl.

 

[General Geoff]

KTC should be able to send you a rebuild kit for it at the very least, since that certainly seems to be a manufacturing defect. The rebuild kit should contain the heart spring. Or I guess they could just send you a new heart spring.

It's a really good ratchet, at least with a working spring!. Hopefully they can sort you out.

 

[Madjik Man]

Just following up with this.

@billspreston (Mike?) at DRPD was incredibly helpful and went out of their way to assist me.

I emailed DRPD letting them know my problem with this ratchet, fully disclosing that I bought it elsewhere and not through them.

Mike instantly emailed me and told me to send the ratchet back to them and they will warranty it out for me. The communication and shipping of the replacement ratchet was so quick.

I am grateful for DRPD's customer service and because of it they now have a customer for life. I will gladly check their website first before Amazon and other outlets.