MAC 1/4" drive ratchet problem

[Joelfke]

I got a MAC 1/4" drive ratchet from an old mechanic CHEAP because he said it doesnt work. When i use it, it slips, like the gears are chewed up. Is there a kit I can buy to rebuild the ratchet gears? If so, where?

 

[35mastr]

The drive gear or the pawl is stripped?

Got a pic?


Whats the number on the ratchet?

 

[Joelfke]

part # MPR7PA

no pic yet...ill try to post one asap

 

[billymade]

If its messed up and you need a rebuild kit; call mac tools and they will send you a kit for free! They just sent me 4 rebuild kits; free of charge!
Contact Mac Tools here: http://www.mactools.com/CustomerService/ContactUs/tabid/8149/Default.aspx

 

[Adam McLaughlin]

The dealer will also hand out rebuild kits like candy to trick-or-treaters, just tell them what you want and they'll get it for you.

Adam

 

[Paladin]

I take it you haven't opened it up to inspect the internals? It's likely there is nothing wrong other than dried up grease, gunk, etc.. causing the problem. ALMOST every "broken" ratchet I've bought for dirt cheap only needed a good cleaning and some fresh lube.

 

[HandyManny]

If it's slipping then there is likely something other than just dired up dirt and grease causing the problem. More like stripped gears. Take it apart and look.

 

[krusty the clown]

isn't that the gearless ratchet?

 

[35mastr]

There is going to be teeth missing off the main gear and they will be there for you to see.

This happens to these all the time.The problem with them is that the 2 screws that hold the bottom plate to the head become loose.

As you torque on the handle it causes the drive gear to lift to one side at the pawl.It just takes off a couple of splines and your done.Make sure to wash all that out with brake cleaner after its apart.If you miss any of them.They will wipe out you main gear immidiatley.

Best fix is when you rebuild it.Put some blue Loctite on the screws and you wont have this issue.

 

[Joelfke]

thanks for the replies...

it looks like it is greased too much...i havent opened it yet

 

[Joelfke]

i took it apart but the teeth seem to be intact...since its a 1/4" drive everything is very small....should i clean it out? what kind of lubricant should I put in it after cleaning?

 

[35mastr]

Lets see the gear after its clean.

 

[Paladin]

i took it apart but the teeth seem to be intact...since its a 1/4" drive everything is very small....should i clean it out? what kind of lubricant should I put in it after cleaning?

I always spray out the inside and gear with WD or brake cleaner. Then use a light grease (I use assembly lube) or oil and put it back together. I'm curious to find out. It's entirely possible that it's stripped, but I almost always find cleaning and lubing fixes the problems. Just my humble opinion...

 

[Joelfke]

the gears dont appear to be missing or broken...maybe worn but id have to see a brand new one to see the difference...

 

[64merc]

Interesting....the pawl and gear don't look stripped to me. The pawl looks a little worn, but it doesn't appear to be enough to cause a problem IMO. Maybe the slight wear, combined with poor fit causes a problem.

 

[Joelfke]

would a rebuild kit include both the pawl and gear?

 

[forceyoda]

The rebuild kit has the pawl, gear, spring, bolts. detent ball, and plate-everything but the chrome handle. And its FREE, just call MAC and it will be on it's way. I rebuilt 6 ratchets last year and they were all FREE no questions asked.

 

[Merkava_4]

what kind of lubricant should I put in it after cleaning?

 

[jerk_chicken]

.....Hahahah

 

[PowderKeg]

Is that the Mac version of the Big Dawg? Looks like an awful lot of teeth - what was the count for a 1/4" Big Dawg? @50? Wonder if a rebuild kit is still available? And I don't know that I'd use the Red Lube O' Luv in that one - doesn't always mix well with high tooth-count ratchets. 3'n1 oil oughta work fine.

 

[Joelfke]

im not sure how many teeth...they are way too small to count for my old eyes haha (im 22) ill call/email MAC tomarrow probrably...thanks for all your help guys

 

[jerk_chicken]

For lube, gear oil with a VERY small film of moly grease is my choice. I've tried slick-type (as opposed to sticky) teflon greases and they worked well, too.

 

[jdcompman]

In that first picture it looks like the Pawl teeth are in great shape but if you look at the picture of the teeth on the drive head they all look like the have no point left on them. Every tooth appears to be flat on the edge.

 

[Merkava_4]

Fast Orange and a tooth brush for that handle - then go Fast Orange and an acid brush for inside the head. Rinse thoroughly with water.

PS. MAC says that ratchet has 53 teeth.

 

[Paladin]

Put it back together real quick and see if it works! I'll bet it does now...

 

[cruiser808]

In that first picture it looks like the Pawl teeth are in great shape but if you look at the picture of the teeth on the drive head they all look like the have no point left on them. Every tooth appears to be flat on the edge.

That's kinda the way they're made. This is Mac's version of the Proto Big Dawg and the gear/pawl design functions differently than a conventional 24 to 36 tooth style. I'll bet a good clean up is all it needs.

 

[Joelfke]

sadly..i tried the above to clean out the ratchet and lube it up but it still slips. I tried tightening the outside screws, still slips...ill request a rebuild kit (hopefully available) and Ill just rebuild it. im studying for GMASEP (assuming theyre still gonna be around) so this will be a good beginning ratchet assuming i can repair it

 

[wrenchr]

Avoid this **** as it is very messy!!!

 

[wrenchr]

Fast Orange and a tooth brush for that handle - then go Fast Orange and an acid brush for inside the head. Rinse thoroughly with water.

PS. MAC says that ratchet has 53 teeth.

Use brake cleaner and be done!!

 

[Paladin]

sadly..i tried the above to clean out the ratchet and lube it up but it still slips. I tried tightening the outside screws, still slips...ill request a rebuild kit (hopefully available) and Ill just rebuild it. im studying for GMASEP (assuming theyre still gonna be around) so this will be a good beginning ratchet assuming i can repair it

Well damn! At least it was worth a try!

 

[wrenchr]

Send the ratchet back to mac and they will fix or replace it.

 

[Merkava_4]

Avoid this **** as it is very messy!!!

Messy but it's VERY effective - like a dedicated ******.

Use brake cleaner and be done!!

Ah but the fast orange makes for a nice bonding session between you and the tool - not to mention the wonderful aroma.

Send the ratchet back to mac and they will fix or replace it.

Dude.....that takes all the fun out of it.

 

[wrenchr]

Messy but it's VERY effective - like a dedicated ******.
Not suprised though.


Ah but the fast orange makes for a nice bonding session between you and the tool - not to mention the wonderful aroma.



Dude.....that takes all the fun out of it.

 

[Joelfke]

UPDATE:

Thanks for everyones assistance. I tried lubing it up but unfortunately it didnt help. So i emailed MAC and they said they didnt make rebuild kits anymore so I sent it back to MAC and they sent me this brand new ratchet!

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