Proto 3/8" ratchet. This can't be right?

[Kirbot]

I picked this ratchet up a while ago, and just got around to trying to clean it up.

There is an awful lot of slop/movement in it, the whole drive plug wobbles all over the place. The drive square will move about 1/8" back and forth.

When I opened it up the first time, there was the remains of what almost looked like a rubber bushing around the gear.



You can see how much room there is around the gear.



Was there supposed to be some type of bushing in there?

 

[Ritter4.0]

I wonder if it was a 1/2" handle that someone put a 3/8" drive gear in?

I have the Fleet version of that, and I don't remember there being a seal or bushing there when I cleaned it. It has been in my jeep for the past months now, and I haven't used it recently.

 

[Kirbot]

That sounds like a possibility, but I looked up the number on the cover plate, (5249) an it's for a 3/8" ratchet.

 

[Ritter4.0]

Nevermind, my Fleet is a completely different ratchet, both sides of the pear head come off.

 

[Kirbot]

Nevermind, my Fleet is a completely different ratchet, both sides of the pear head come off.

I have a ratchet like that too.
Mine's not a Fleet though, I think it's "tru-craft" or something like that.
Really nice smooth ratchet.

 

[SMKS]

I've had at least 5 of these ratchets. There is not a bushing around the gear.

 

[stopdroplol]

It's normal.

I've dissected both he 3/8" and 1/2" versions. Neither of them had bushings, and both of the wobbled.

They're just old school ratchets, not very good by modern standards. Sometimes I use the 1/2" because the weight and balance is nice.

 

[Gmonkee]

That is your average nearly worn out Proto. It will give decent service if you load it up with a heavier grease. Be carefull to not stuff a lot behind the pawls and into the springs.

There is still a lot of life left in it but the best years are long gone. Replacing the plate with a less worn one helps too but i'd think those are not easy to find anymore.

 

[vssjim]

I have a ratchet like that too.
Mine's not a Fleet though, I think it's "tru-craft" or something like that.
Really nice smooth ratchet.

It's Tru-Test it was the True Value branded line

 

[vssjim]

it's all just rust and goo no parts are missing just alot of years

 

[NinetyTwoFifty]

It's worn out, none of mine are like that. Rebuild it, then it'll be good by any standards.

 

[kruegdr]

I ran into a similar prob with mine. Rebuild kit fixed most of the issues, but my ratchet started from a mystery tool.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=81063

 

[bonneyman]

It's kinda like me - older, seen alot of hard use, with some extra play in the gears.
Now, if they just made a drop-in rebuild kit for a person....

 

[Kirbot]

Thanks everybody, I guess it's just plain worn out.

I have a few tools waiting to get sent in for warranty, maybe I'll send it along and see they can rebuild it.

Blackhawk and proto use the same address for the warranty right?
I cracked a blackhawk socket last week.

 

[mrholeshot]

That rubber O ring is just old dried out grease. I'ts just worn

 

[airbuff101]

Mike,
If you send it in Proto will send you a new one lickety-split.
I just sent in a 1/4"dr. of that style and ****!, There was new one in the mailbox in about 10 days.
airbuff

 

[davesnothere]

Don't send it in!
Have them send you a kit.

 

[Kirbot]

Don't send it in!
Have them send you a kit.

Why do you say that?
Seeing as I'm already sending some other stuff in...

 

[davesnothere]

Because the old stuff is more radder.
I'd rather have old stuff... I guess its all personal preference at some point.

 

[HandyManny]

The previous owner just put a non-Proto drive piece in that rathet. That's it. Mine in almost 50 years old and has lot's of use and does not wobble. Nope, someone put some wrong parts in that thing.

 

[Kirbot]

Because the old stuff is more radder.
I'd rather have old stuff... I guess its all personal preference at some point.

I get it now.
You mean so I can keep this ratchet instead of getting a new one of a different design.

The previous owner just put a non-Proto drive piece in that rathet. That's it. Mine in almost 50 years old and has lot's of use and does not wobble. Nope, someone put some wrong parts in that thing.

That definitely sounds like a possibility.
I'll open it up again tomorrow and see if I can see wear marks or anything like that to hint one way or the other.