Matco 88t mechanisim question

[Steamed Hams]

Hey guys I recently bought a Matco BFR88 for 60$ brand new off ebay. This is my first tool truck brand ratchet so I am excited. I plan to rebuild the ratchet myself if it ever brakes. I have read that the mechanism inside is interchangeable between gear wrench and Armstrong. I'm assuming the ratchet housing itself is made of US steel but I am unsure about the internals. So I have a couple of questions for those of you more knowledgeable about this.

1. Is the internals still made in the USA? Or is this specific mechanism made here?

2. When it comes to rebuild kits should I specifically buy a Matco rebuild kit If I want the internals to still be US made?

3. What type of lube would you recommend for ratchets?

a little side note: I have no preference in tool truck brands I was originally looking for proto or Williams and the price seemed right for this tool. I just wanted a stout ratchet made in the US.

 

[Fedwrench]

1. The whole ratchet to include its ratcheting mechanism is US Made.

2. Yes.

3. A thin lube since it's a high tooth count action. Some people like superlube, I'm partial to a light oil.

On a side note, the only Armstrong ratchet the ratcheting mechanism is interchangeable with was their MAXX series ratchets.

 

[Steamed Hams]

Ah I see thanks for the clarification man. cant wait to start using it and feeling the difference from my old Taiwan ratchet.

 

[sk farmer]

marvel mystery oil is the lube of choice on the maxx style ratchets. if you are ok with other brands of this ratchet it can be had in many different styles at several price points.

 

[Spacey_G]

I have the Armstrong Maxx ratchets in different sizes, some with the original 88 tooth mechanisms and some with 84 tooth Gearwrench mechanisms. Frankly, I don't really notice a difference.

I've been lubing them with a light synthetic motor oil that I have on hand and it seems to work fine. Would something else work better?

 

[toolman9w]

I use air tool oil. It is an oring sealed ratchet.

 

[plinker]

I've been using air tool oil as well. Just about any oil should work fine, even gear oil I'd think.

The funny part to me is the instructions for the 84t Gearwrench kit says to use a very light film of grease, moly IIRC. Might work ok doing it, but I found it's easier to spray out the inside with brake cleaner then add oil as needed. It can be done pretty quick too.

 

[Fedwrench]

I've never thought of my Matco ratchets as being "stout".

I guess I think of Proto ratchets as being stout along with the German gang of Hazet, stahwille.

 

[Snaparxon]

I use Dextron III in all my ratchets

 

[mikebaker1129]

84 tooth Gearwrench mechanisms will fit ,but will be made in Taiwan or China.
60 tooth Armstrong/Matco kit will fit and so will the 84 tooth Craftsman premium kit ,these will be made in the USA,I find little to no difference in the 84 or the 88.
The big difference is in the price you are willing to pay $6-7 Gearwrench $20-25 for the Armstrong/Matco.

 

[ngk22r]

I use froglube in my Matco 88 rachets, works great!

Also my ratchets are the new "slim line" ratchets and even the cushion handle model is stamped USA.

 

[AmishFury]

I've been using air tool oil as well. Just about any oil should work fine, even gear oil I'd think.

i don't recommend gear oil in a matco 88

unless it never gets even slightly chilly where you are... i used it once and it worked fine through the summer but once the cold weather hit the ratchet would jam up, cleaned it out and put in some air tool oil and all the problems disappeared

 

[plinker]

i don't recommend gear oil in a matco 88

unless it never gets even slightly chilly where you are... i used it once and it worked fine through the summer but once the cold weather hit the ratchet would jam up, cleaned it out and put in some air tool oil and all the problems disappeared

No doubt about cold weather affecting function, just surmising it'd work being an oil.
I wouldnt use it anyway just cause it smells bad. ( I prefer ATF myself )

 

[Ji m]

My 2 step approach to choose a ratchet lube


1) Try Marvel Mystery Oil

a) it works great ---> Done

b) action still doesn't feel right ---> See Step Two


2) Try Redline Assembly Lube

a) it works great ---> Done

b) action still doesn't feel right ---> it's broken

 

[Steamed Hams]

Wow guys thanks for the great info! I am excited about the Matco ratchet and plan to get many other brands to find out the one that feels great in the hand. So far I got my first old school SK ratchet and it feels SOLID I love the knurled grip at the base. I think I may use air tool oil because I get a lot of that from work and I have some left over ATF on hand. I plan to get SK or Proto's new model ratchets but I am little iffy on the SK because I see some videos where people did not like it much. I understand ratchets can be highly preference to each individual.