Rebuild Help (Ratchet Ball)

[patricklee.oneill]

Hey guys. Got a small conundrum going on. Have a "rare" vintage Crasftman ratchet that stopped operating. It appears the ball that acts as a detent for the selection switch has lodged itself in its cavity. Any ideas on how to get this fixed?

 

[930dreamer]

Soak it in transmission fluid for a week and see if it dislodges.

 

[bonneyman]

Soak in a mixture of 50% ATF and 50% acetone. Let it soak for a day. Then place a strong magnet over the hole and start tapping on the side of the ratchet with something plastic - like a screwdriver handle. Should loosen the ball enough for the magnet to **** it out.

 

[patricklee.oneill]

I should definitely leave the plastic knob out of the solution correct? If those methods do not work, what is my next option?

 

[jakemac]

The handle stays away from anything with acetone !

Periodically poking at the ball with a thin dental pick might help loosen it.
I'd keep the magnets on the ratchet during the soaking process in case the ball releases prematurely. (I hate when that happens)

You'll need to be patient. Take your time.
Last year I spent 3 months restoring a basket case.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4505622#post4505622

If the spring is busted, check all the disposable pens in your house. There may be a spring in one of them that you can cut down to fit.

If you lose the ball, your local hardware store/big box store should have a selection of ball bearings that will work.

Be careful with the retaining clips. There's no source for new ones.

Good luck with it, they're my favorites (even though I rarely have a use for mine).

 

[patricklee.oneill]

Thanks guys. I'm gonna give it a shot. Didnt even realize it was in the box until today honestly. Looks like its barely been used.

 

[Indexmill]

Worst case, if soaking/magnet does not work, would be to drill a very small hole into the spring cavity and then force the ball out with air or oil pressure.

 

[2oolhound]

You could also take a brass hammer and tap sharply on the end of the handle that has the wind knob on it. You don't want to hit it hard enough to crack it from the edge to the hole where the knob fits but this could very well pop out. Spread a sheet or towel underneath to catch the ball bearing if it does dislodge. You could also slam it down hard on a piece of hardwood striking the same spot (the end of the ratchet where the knob is mounted. This gets all the molecules in motion but the ratchet molecules stop when they hit the hardwood but the ball which is a separate thing has a tendency to keep going. kinda like putting an axe head on by hitting the bottom of the handle.

 

[bonneyman]

I should definitely leave the plastic knob out of the solution correct? If those methods do not work, what is my next option?

Yes, keep the plastic end away from the acetone! I threw a grimy Swiss Army Knife into the JAFE juice mix, and didn't even think of the handles. That PVC got all screwed up!

 

[patricklee.oneill]

I've got it sitting upright in a can of ATF and Acetone mix. Gonna let it soak for a big and see what I can do. All else fails, I'll take it up to work and see if one of our older tool and die gentleman can sort it out. I will keep updated.