Q: Rebuilding a ratchet head

[guy48065]

When installing a ratchet kit into the head casting the worst part is holding the ball & spring in the bore as the pawl is dropped into place to trap it. One kit came with a tiny spring steel "Z"-shaped tool but it's too flexible--or maybe some brands use stronger springs. The greased ball easily slides off a small flat screwdriver blade.
What do YOU guys use to hold that damn ball in place?

 

[kythri]

https://store.snapon.com/Non-Catalog-Items-RAT-REPR-TL-P9643445.aspx

 

[Pipe_guy]

I did two older snap on ratchets this week and it's a miracle I didn't lose a ball. I used a magnetizing tool on the spring and a little dab of grease on the spring. After that I just kinda used the pawl to hold the spring and ball down and push it into place. Took a few tries the first time but I got the second one the second or third time.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jakemac]

https://store.snapon.com/Non-Catalog-Items-RAT-REPR-TL-P9643445.aspx

^^^ This ^^^
Barring that, you could try putting a detent in the end of your z tool with a centering punch to help hold the ball in place on the tool.

 

[WWheeler]

https://store.snapon.com/Non-Catalog-Items-RAT-REPR-TL-P9643445.aspx

+1

This is the tool you need. Here's a post of mine on a similar topic:

FWIW, The Snapon ratchet repair tool #SPP744 is invaluable to holding those ball-bearings in place while putting a ratchet back together. It's under $1 and Snap-On offers free shipping.

https://store.snapon.com/Non-Catalog-Items-RAT-REPR-TL-P9643445.aspx

 

[Vantastic]

I can't afford that snap on tool so I made one out of a piece of sheet metal. It looks ****** but i fixed a bunch of ratchets with it.

 

[gdocktor3]

I took an old pair of tweezers, separated them and bent one half into a Z shape much like the tool. I actually bent the bottom side into a U shape so I can easily apply downward pressure with my thumb, while holding the ratchet. It has worked every time I've used it.

 

[guy48065]

+1

This is the tool you need. Here's a post of mine on a similar topic:

That looks far better than what was sent in the kits I bought. Thanks for posting your picture--the one from the SO store wasn't much help:

 

[txlch]

Before I bought the Snap on repair tool I used a pen clip off a random pen. Might have to take a few apart to find the right size clip but it worked great for me.