matco 88

[bayoutoolguy]

just bought a matco 88 3/8 drive locking flex with the green handle. While I dont have a dealer, i bought a rebuild kit incase i ever break it, and i wanted to try out the matco locking flex, seems that everyone here loves it. Just two questions, how good does it work when the head is not locked? just like a regular ol flexhead ratchet? ill probably use it unlocked most of the time. And do they come lubed from the factory, or should i put some marvel mystery oil in it? Ratcheting mechanism is loud but smooth, smoother than other 88s ive used in the past. thanks guys

 

[jim1987]

Did you buy it new or used? If bought new you could have saved some money by going with Armstrong in case you didn't know. Also some people have said the locking mech can be a pita to use but is better them the snap on version.

 

[Ruger_556]

The 88's are loud and annoying...

 

[Chadwilliam1]

The matco is longer and has a comfort grip that is why some people go that route.

 

[jethro29]

it is a very good ratchet and works well in the locked or unlocked position,i've had mine over a year and I do not cut it any slack and use it daily.i would recommend it.

 

[Zeroek]

I've owned a few Matco 88 ratchets. They aren't bad but I have a friend that has a few and he is always tearing them up.

 

[Jason280]

it is a very good ratchet and works well in the locked or unlocked position,i've had mine over a year and I do not cut it any slack and use it daily.i would recommend it.

Same here, mine has been 100% dependable.

 

[bayoutoolguy]

Hopefully mines is just as dependable. time will tell. How often and what kind of lube do yall use in them?

 

[OxJaw]

I have the Armstrong versions, but bought Matco 88 kits to go in the flex rarchets and the kits came marvel mystery oil, I took them apart and cleaned all the oil out and lubed them with super lube though. Mine are super smooth now. I put a pretty liberal amount in them.

If you go crazy with the super lube the ratchet may jam and/or reverse on its own though.

 

[TOOLFREEQ]

Hate to be that guy but Id get a snapon dual 80 over any ratchet out there! I own almost every ratchet that is in the pro grade fine tooth category (as a collector of ratchets) I always go back to the dual 80, although I would say the 88 is a far second. I do like the way their flex heads are made with the multi positions vs the snapons as they tend to get sloppy over the years. a I like the locking flex head design better than the snapon because the s/o lock *****, cause its always in the way or slipping out of position. That said the dual 80 is still my go to!!

 

[1950mercury]

I think that you made a good choice. I have dual 80's in reg head ratchets and your ratchet in 3/8 and a armstrong flex on 1\2.

I use 100% silicone lube that they use in rc cars differentials like traxxis cars. Makes any fine tooth rat like butter. If you use grease amd put tomuch in it will act up

 

[davethorik]

I don't know what they use at the factory but my Armstrong 1/4 locking flex had a very thin clear oil that slowly dribbles out of the selector.

The locking lever is tricky to use, the lever has cutouts in it that look like jack-o-lantern fangs and they have to line up just right to lock. You get used to it after a few times.

 

[kippieland]

I have both the Armstrong 1/4 88 and Matco 88(comfort grip.) My favorite 1/4 by a long shot. They get nicer with a bit of Lucas Oil Assembly lube. I have one in 3/8....not favorite but good. I like the SO F80 in 3/8 better.

 

[ADSR]

I have the Armstrong versions, but bought Matco 88 kits to go in the flex rarchets and the kits came marvel mystery oil, I took them apart and cleaned all the oil out and lubed them with super lube though. Mine are super smooth now. I put a pretty liberal amount in them.

If you go crazy with the super lube the ratchet may jam and/or reverse on its own though.

You're talking the paste/gel? I always worry about it being too thick, like you said.

I use ATF but might have to try it your way.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Just did all my ratchets. The Dual 80s and Gearwrench 60/84T (same style as the Matco 88) are incredibly smooth and almost silent now. It takes a minute to get used to now that they're so quiet.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HBNVSK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[ADSR]

Just did all my ratchets. The Dual 80s and Gearwrench 60/84T (same style as the Matco 88) are incredibly smooth and almost silent now. It takes a minute to get used to now that they're so quiet.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HBNVSK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Thanks buddy! I'll give it a shot!

 

[OxJaw]

You're talking the paste/gel? I always worry about it being too thick, like you said.

I use ATF but might have to try it your way.

Yup, the paste/gel stuff, looks like dielectric grease. The 88 kits don't seem to mind it as long as you don't go overboard. While on the subject, the gearwrench 60 tooth kits don't have a problem either but the 84 tooth kits bind like crazy and reverse with the super lube, if you use it on the 84 ratchets you need to use it sparingly.

I don't know what they use at the factory but my Armstrong 1/4 locking flex had a very thin clear oil that slowly dribbles out of the selector.

The locking lever is tricky to use, the lever has cutouts in it that look like jack-o-lantern fangs and they have to line up just right to lock. You get used to it after a few times.

The Armstrong/Matco kits come with Marvel Mystery Oil.

 

[ArcStyles]

Just did all my ratchets. The Dual 80s and Gearwrench 60/84T (same style as the Matco 88) are incredibly smooth and almost silent now. It takes a minute to get used to now that they're so quiet.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HBNVSK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

How much do you apply?

 

[panknuckshovel]

Thanks buddy! I'll give it a shot!

The ultra slick even makes the "new" chinese craftsman ratchets function alot better.

 

[Mopar-Scooby-Doo]

I don't have a flex version, but I do have a Matco 3/8 88t and I love it. Also I don't have any of the newer snap-on ratchets to compare. I want to get more of these. Great ratchets.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

How much do you apply?

I just popped the gear out, wiped out the old oil and gave it a couple of drops for the gear to rest on, than a few more drops on the pawls and teeth. Spun the the gear a bunch so it was all coated (it also pushes most of the dirt in the ratchet to the top where you can wipe it out) and closed it back up. No issues so far, they all work better than ever, and it stopped my 84T from reversing which it just started doing.

 

[ArcStyles]

I just popped the gear out, wiped out the old oil and gave it a couple of drops for the gear to rest on, than a few more drops on the pawls and teeth. Spun the the gear a bunch so it was all coated (it also pushes most of the dirt in the ratchet to the top where you can wipe it out) and closed it back up. No issues so far, they all work better than ever, and it stopped my 84T from reversing which it just started doing.

Great! Thank you for the info. I have a bottle on the way and will be using this solution for future Matco 88 and Snap-on dual 80 maintenance. Another example of the many benefits of this forum.