Rebuilding socket wrenches -- ball bearing tricks?

[jcwren]

I've been rebuilding some older Craftsman 1/2" and 3/8" drive socket wrenches. I'm having a lot of trouble with holding the ball bearing down while trying to drop in the pawl. It's not so bad on the model 43785 wrench, where the selector goes in after the pawl. But the model 44811 wrenches are really fiddly because the selector has to go and be positioned before the pawl can be dropped in.

Any tricks to getting this done without launching the bearing across the garage? I did that a couple times and found, but I've finally managed to lose one.

Anyone also know what size bearing the 3/8"s use? I'd rather not take apart one of the other ones again just to measure it.

 

[Chrome Vanadium Cody]

I re bent a picture hanger so I can use the hole to hold the ball bearing down.

 

[four.cycle]

SPP744 Snap-on if you can find one:

 

[jcwren]

SPP744 Snap-on if you can find one:

Excellent, thank you. They're available for about $13 on eBay. I only have one more wrench to re-assemble at this point, but it's worth adding to the tool arsenal, so I ordered one.

 

[four.cycle]

That's pretty surprising. I didn't think they were available any longer.
this isn't the first time this question has been raised here

SNAP-ON ratchet repair tool, Craftsman Rachet repair tool, Matco Rachet repair | eBay

Specifically holding the detent ball in place. I do not MAKE these.

www.ebay.com

 

[esben57]

Bought a pack of the correct size bearings in case of. Also sweep around the floor with a magnet for a chance of finding any escapees.
Hold ratchet in vice you don't have three hands. Use a small flat tip screwdriver to hold bearing and slide pawl over.

 

[bcradio]

Is a socket wrench similar to a ratchet?

 

[jcwren]

Is a socket wrench similar to a ratchet?

Don't know, don't care, enough people figured it out to answer the question.

 

[bcradio]

Don't know, don't care, enough people figured it out to answer the question.

don't care dawg? then don't respond dawg...

 

[four.cycle]

^ the nomenclature varies regionally, but seems to be more influenced by what your father called it. there's a discussion thread about it here somewhere. use the search function at upper right.

 

[AEAdam]

Try using some sticky grease to hold things together

 

[rooster59]

use the sticky grease as above, assemble inside a gallon zip lock

 

[Outahere]

Is a socket wrench similar to a ratchet?

This socket wrench has no ball bearing:

 

[2oolhound]

That's pretty surprising. I didn't think they were available any longer.

Reminds me of a blackhead squeezing tool my sister had when I was a kid.

Blackhead Tool

 

[bonneyman]

I've used flat spring retainers taken out of old VHS machines. I strip useable stuff out of old appliances before I scrap them, and old DVD and VHS players are chock full of tiny springs, gears, levers, screws, etc.

 

[RTM]

Any tricks to getting this done without launching the bearing across the garage? I did that a couple times and found, but I've finally managed to lose one.

Some suggested a feeler gauge, bonus points if you punch a hole in it. Forgot where I read it might be the post linked above.

 

[KnurledNut]

SPP744 Snap-on if you can find one:

Ahhh yes, the tool that single-handedly killed Snap-on's free shipping.
Yes, im exaggerating. A little. Not much.

 

[charger 73]

Tried ordering that tool from snap on last year and was told by customer service it was for dealers only.

 

[Pexto]

This socket wrench has no ball bearing:

For that matter, I have yet to see a ratchet with a ball bearing. Some of them use little steel balls that you could call a bearing ball, but those are certainly not ball bearings.

 

[blakedpotato]

That's pretty surprising. I didn't think they were available any longer.
this isn't the first time this question has been raised here

SNAP-ON ratchet repair tool, Craftsman Rachet repair tool, Matco Rachet repair | eBay

Specifically holding the detent ball in place. I do not MAKE these.

www.ebay.com

The link above didn't work for me, but this one did:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/135436352355

 

[Kscardsfan]

Flat piece of steel bent at about a 90 and another bend to hold onto it with. If you’re like me you have an anvil in the shop to use for these projects.

 

[jgeoffr]

Another option for $10 with free shipping.

NEW Snap On Tools 1/4" 3/8" Drive Ratchet Repair Tool Fits Mac Craftsman Matco | eBay

This tool is a great time saver to hold the detent ball from flying away when rebuilding ratchets. Will work on most 1/4" and 3/8" ratchets. Please ask any questions you may have. Please enlarge the photos as they ARE part of the item description. Being sold as is with NO returns. Please look at...

www.ebay.com

 

[GTO]

Now that we have sorted out the differences between Ratchets and Socket Wrench along with Ball Bearings and Steel Balls....

Back to our regular programing.