Need Advice On Disassembling & Lubricating Williams 3/4" Ratchet

[msmit62]

I recently purchased a 3/4" drive Williams ratchet at a local swap meet. To get the square drive to turn you have to grab it with a pliers but I took a chance because the price was right and the seller seemed honest and said he didn't think anything was wrong with it other than maybe needing some grease or oil. It looks like I need a spanner wrench to open it up. I've never disassembled a ratchet before, but I would expect there is some type of pawl in there and a gear or two. Do I need any other special tools? I'd like to clean it out and relube it. Should I use a grease or oil? Any particular grease or oil in particular? If there is something broken, is it possible to buy parts yet? The seller told me Snap-On bought Williams and he once was able to get a Snap-On truck to warranty another of his Williams tools because of that. Again, he seemed honest so I'm taking him at his word. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[65ranchero]

Not knowing exactly how to disassemble the head I think in your 2nd picture there is a round nut ( look to see if you can see threads) , find (or make) a suitable spanner and put the pins in to those 2 holes and turn.
you may want to soak the head in trans oil to loosen dirt in there.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Dunk in atf and spin it for a minute.

If you do need to unthread the cap, it's normal direction thread, and the tip of a needle nose may work.

 

[msmit62]

65ranchero, yes I do believe that's a nut and I think I have a spanner wrench that will fit it.

Ole Slewfoot, should I soak first and then disassemble?

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Dunk may fix it, of not, the. You have to open it.
There sno need to crank the lid on super tight, doing so may produce undesirable backdrag, but that by no means prevents somebody from having previously done that.
Come to think of it, that could be the whole problem.

 

[msmit62]

Ole Slewfoot, that's an interesting theory and that would be great if you're right. When I put the lid back on, what keeps it from loosening if it's not supposed to be tight-tight? Any advice on lubrication?

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Fine pitch thread. A dab of plumber putty if it's loose I guess, but all mine would self hold.
Lube is an endless.debate subject here.
Light oil is fine, add a little grease to that if it's too clickety.

 

[msmit62]

Any idea if parts are still available? Hopefully I won't need any but I thought I'd ask.

 

[Roberts210]

Ebay will be your friend if you need to find a rebuild kit for that.

 

[msmit62]

That's a good idea.