Mac ratchet maintenance

[boatmechanic1989]

Bit embarrassing to be honest but I can't get the cover off a 3/8 standard chrome Mac ratchet, not the one with round head. We have no Mac dealers here in Finland either so I can't ask. I have used snap on and serviced thaws amongst other ratchets but when I unscrew all the bolts the plate doesn't come out the back! I tried everything including strong magnets but it feels glued on. The ratchet isn't that old but has been dropped in boat bilges (watery oily crevices underneath engines) I asked the guys who only use snap on because no Mac here but they didn't know and said something was wrong. There are no videos on instructions online how to change the fear either. Bit of a fail for professional mechanic but I don't wanna break it! Any advice?

 

[MrPretty]

Not sure what ratchet you have but I have a Mac XR8k 3/8" Drive ratchet. It has 2 screws that go through the ratchet head and screw into the plate on the drive side of the ratchet.

I don't have any pictures right now as I'm at work but found some through goolge for reference.

Someone may have a better way to do this but that plate is kind of pressed in there. To remove it I wrapped a rag around the head of the ratchet so that I wouldn't lose any parts out of the ratchet. Holding the rag on the ratchet I gave it a few wacks against a tree stump and the plate came out, I imagine a block of wood should work just fine too

 

[boatmechanic1989]

Yes same one, thanks. So give it some punishment and it comes!

 

[AndrewHR]

Or you can use a pick/hook in one of top of the screw holes. You should get enough leverage to release the cover

 

[Wamsutta]

Those cover plates normally come off very easy with a magnet on the MAC ratchets, but if it's stuck, just clamp a pair of vise grips to the square drive and pull on it; that'll pull the cover off with the gear. Incidentally, the best lube I've found for MAC 30 tooth ratchets is either Permatex #81950 or Sealed Power #55-400. Both of those are engine assembly lubes and they'll make the MAC 30 tooth ratchet run like butter.

 

[zkling]

Two tricks I haved used is to a.) Put a longer screw in replace of the standard cover place screws and them tap them with a hammer forcing the plate off. Or b.) Remove the screws and pull the drive square straight out. Just be aware that everything will come out when you do that.

 

[Wamsutta]

Or b.) Remove the screws and pull the drive square straight out. Just be aware that everything will come out when you do that.

That's essentially what I said, only I was assuming the OP was smart enough to pull the screws without being told to.

 

[boatmechanic1989]

I tried the square drive with some grips and was pulling so hard I thought something would break. As we all know forcing stuff normally leads to tears. I will try again today.

 

[Wamsutta]

If it's that bad you're going to have to soak the whole ratchet in WD-40 or something. Some guys swear by that Mopar penetrant at the Dodge dealer.