Replacing Snapon drawer sliders

[glenni]

I recently acquiried 2 Snap-on tools chests:

Bottom: KR 5553 (I can only find infomation on KR555, not one with "3")

Pat D 205523
83
2537617​

Top: KR550

Pat D 205522
79
1839862​

My problem is that the drawers do not slide easily at all. The top cabinet drawers are worse than the bottom, but I would like to get both to very easily slide open and close.

Any suggestions on:
1) Replacement options? Are there replacement sliders available that use ball bearings? If not any other options? The drawers have the slider mating connection incorporated into the drawer itself so the rail is not replaceable.

2) Will anti-friction coatings (such as Dry-slide) work?

3) Any other options and suggestions available?

What kind of costs would be associated with the replacement options?

Thank you!
Glenn

P.S. Is there any site where I can look up information using the serial numbers?

 

[old salvage]

Are you sure they arent just really dirty and have some gummed up old oil n grit ?
Id try cleaning them first. Remove the drawers and blast the slides with wd 40. Then get yourself some q tips and clean in the grooves.

 

[Merkava_4]

Yes I agree ... the first thing I'd do is pull all the drawers out and clean the channels out.

 

[Bluehinder]

What do you recommend for a final lubricant? Silicone? Lithium grease? All the same?

 

[jetlag]

I just replaced two sets of drawer slides on a KR series box and the gas struts for the top chest. They are lifetime warantee items, and snap-on will cheerfully replace them free if you go through the truck. (worn detents you have to buy) You can call customer service (the number is on the web site) and they can help you figure out which slides your box uses. Spend some quality time with both boxes, take them apart and clean them up, wash and wax, etc. My local snap-on guy is great to deal with, and chances are yours will be as well.

 

[Merkava_4]

What do you recommend for a final lubricant? Silicone? Lithium grease? All the same?

Friction slides do best with light oil. Ball bearing slides to best with a low viscosity grease such as Super Lube 21030.

 

[billymade]

Parts wise here is the page for the kr550
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/parts/pro.asp?group_ID=7778
For the bottom you might contact snapon customer service; its possible other model #'s are the same box with parts that will work for yours.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/parts/product_directory2.asp?cat_ID=335968

 

[glenni]

Thank you for the suggestions!

A neighbor took the one slide that was damaged to his work and the "truck". You are all correct - they will replace that slider for free (very nice!).

I have had the boxes repainted and they look great. Snap-on no longer has the tool to remove the sliders (according to my neighbor), but he had a set that I am using to remove all the drawers and sliders (this weekend).

I then plan on degreasing all of the sliders and cleaning them as well as possible. After that I am going to try Dry-slide (moly based lubricant) on them. It is probably overkill, but I want the drawers to slide as easy as possible. Has anyone else tried this?

Will let you know how they turn out. I was hoping to find ball bearing replacements -- but no luck so far.

Any idea where to look for info using the serial numbers?

Thanks! Glenn

 

[wilbilt]

You can remove the slides with a slightly bent hacksaw blade.