Sears ratchet rebuild experience

[gonmad54]

I took in a 1/4" ratchet to Sears today for a rebuild. The spring for the socket ball detent is pretty shot so sockets don't always stay on. Everything seemed to go ok. They took the ratchet into the back, I walked around (ended up finding something to buy), ratchet came back to the counter, they put it in a bag with a sticker stating it was "refurbished" and receipt showing that a rebuild kit was used. I made some small talk with the employees, took the bag and went home. Once I was home I pulled the ratchet out of the bag and it looks like it wasn't even touched. No rebuild kit!
So what kind of action do you think I should take? I will be taking it back this weekend and asking for a manager right off the bat. I'm not mad but I am frustrated that I have to make the 30 min trip back for something that wasn't done right.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

What does a "rebuild kit" consist of these days?

 

[jacked_72]

Action you should take? You should relax. They're going to do noting about it. Don't get your expectations up. At best, you'll walk out with a repaired ratchet and two hours out of your life.

 

[LB-1911]

I took in a 1/4" ratchet to Sears today for a rebuild. The spring for the socket ball detent is pretty shot so sockets don't always stay on. Everything seemed to go ok. They took the ratchet into the back, I walked around (ended up finding something to buy), ratchet came back to the counter, they put it in a bag with a sticker stating it was "refurbished" and receipt showing that a rebuild kit was used. I made some small talk with the employees, took the bag and went home.

Once I was home I pulled the ratchet out of the bag and it looks like it wasn't even touched. No rebuild kit!
So what kind of action do you think I should take? I will be taking it back this weekend and asking for a manager right off the bat. I'm not mad but I am frustrated that I have to make the 30 min trip back for something that wasn't done right.

Did you put a socket on it to check?

 

[CJM8515]

Thats why the last 10x I was there I asked the kid to gimme one out of the case brand new. Why did I go there 10x? They kept freaking failing. The stanley ones and even apex husky at home depot havent failed me yet and I abuse them for my job.

I dont bother with sears ujunk anymore. They used to be good 30+ years ago.

 

[Murphy4570]

Last time one of those ratchets broke on me, I just threw it in the trash and put a rag around my ****** knuckles. Some stuff isn't worth trying to fix.

 

[mjoekingz28]

Did they rebuild it in the back of the store? Have you checked to,see if sockets are still falling off?

 

[gonmad54]

Action you should take? You should relax. They're going to do noting about it. Don't get your expectations up. At best, you'll walk out with a repaired ratchet and two hours out of your life.

Like I said I'm not mad, just frustrated as I'm sure anyone would be when they are told that something was repaired when it wasn't. I'm more just curious if anyone has had issues like this and what Sears did if anything to make it right.



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[gonmad54]

Last time one of those ratchets broke on me, I just threw it in the trash and put a rag around my ****** knuckles. Some stuff isn't worth trying to fix.

This socket/ratchet kit was given to me by my grandpa many years ago. I was just looking to get it back in good working order for sentimental value. All my daily use ratchets are SnapOn


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[gonmad54]

Did they rebuild it in the back of the store? Have you checked to,see if sockets are still falling off?

My understanding is a rebuild kit is a new gear assembly with the push button socket release. I had another ratchet rebuilt about a month ago. The one with the sticker and the wear is the one that was done today.




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[BCKinVT]

What does a "rebuild kit" consist of these days?

Last year I purchased a NOS Craftsman #43427 Ratchet Repair Kit on eBay for a 1/4" ratchet and it included the following parts:

Lever Retaining Ring
Bearing Plate Ring
Bearing Plate
Gear
Ball (2)
Pawl
Spring (2)
Lever

 

[papavolume]

Next time check it out before you leave the store!

 

[Richard Cranium]

are you sure they didn't rebuild it. Take it back and have them rebuild it again.

 

[gonmad54]

Sorry guys maybe my choice of words wasn't correct. I'm really not mad and with a bunch of people I don't know I don't want you to get the impression I'm some sue happy hot head. I just wanted to vent and share my frustrating experience with a tool company and I do take responsibility for not checking the ratchet before I left.


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[mjoekingz28]

Maybe he should have demonstrated it working before you left.

It is nice to be on the same page sometimes....

...then, there are those who get violent and angry when you do not trust them. Like a banker needs to count the money even if you tell the teller it is exact......or checking the breech when someone you trust hands you an 'empty' firearm.

 

[stage20]

Just take it back and tell them its broken and you need an exchange or rebuild. Don't even mention you were there before. Get in get out no drama

 

[Cato]

Was it just one of those cheapo 1/4 Crafty ratchets? The kind that come in the $10 kit? So it's like a $3 ratchet?

Why bother to rebuild it in the first place?

 

[anndel]

My understanding is a rebuild kit is a new gear assembly with the push button socket release. I had another ratchet rebuilt about a month ago. The one with the sticker and the wear is the one that was done today.




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Look for the rebuild kits on Ebay and do it yourself. Lots of YouTube videos on how to do them. I just rebuilt my 3/8 and 1/4 quick release CM ratchets (shaped like yours, teardrop shape).

I took the 3/8" ratchet back as it no longer held as well, like yours. They said it couldn't be repaired and tried to exchange it for a Chinese made CM ratchet. I said no and left. I googled the ratchet and a bunch of youtube videos resulted. Yeah you gotta pay for the rebuild kits and some are sold out but I kept a nice US Made ratchet alive.

 

[stage20]

Was it just one of those cheapo 1/4 Crafty ratchets? The kind that come in the $10 kit? So it's like a $3 ratchet?

Why bother to rebuild it in the first place?

Doesn't matter if its 12 cent. The company put a warranty on the product. Sears used to be the best warranty.....swap and go. It's still like that with the screwdrivers but they are fading in other areas

 

[Hootbro]

So did you put a socket to check to see if the ball retention works? While they should have swapped a whole rebuild kit, they may have just swapped out the gear with a used one that works.

 

[Sanny81]

If they did rebuild it and used a new rebuild kit that might be the issue. The newer ratchets especially the 1/4 drive ones that come in the sets are very loose. The sockets wobble right out of the box.

 

[gonmad54]

Doesn't matter if its 12 cent. The company put a warranty on the product. Sears used to be the best warranty.....swap and go. It's still like that with the screwdrivers but they are fading in other areas

Exactly. This ratchet is just sentimental. I really don't use it but craftsman products were built on a warranty where if you have a problem you can take it back and get a new rebuild kit or a new replacement. When I go back this weekend I will talk to the manager and clarify what their policy is these days. Maybe things have changed???


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[gonmad54]

If they did rebuild it and used a new rebuild kit that might be the issue. The newer ratchets especially the 1/4 drive ones that come in the sets are very loose. The sockets wobble right out of the box.

There were no new parts put in the ratchet. The rebuild kits are actually a completely different style.


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[gonmad54]

Look for the rebuild kits on Ebay and do it yourself. Lots of YouTube videos on how to do them. I just rebuilt my 3/8 and 1/4 quick release CM ratchets (shaped like yours, teardrop shape).



I took the 3/8" ratchet back as it no longer held as well, like yours. They said it couldn't be repaired and tried to exchange it for a Chinese made CM ratchet. I said no and left. I googled the ratchet and a bunch of youtube videos resulted. Yeah you gotta pay for the rebuild kits and some are sold out but I kept a nice US Made ratchet alive.

I can rebuild a ratchet but why pay for a rebuild kit when Sears is supposed to give you one for free?


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[LB-1911]

There were no new parts put in the ratchet. The rebuild kits are actually a completely different style.

The question remains......

So did you put a socket to check to see if the ball retention works? While they should have swapped a whole rebuild kit, they may have just swapped out the gear with a used one that works.

My understanding is a rebuild kit is a new gear assembly with the push button socket release.

Does the ratchet in question have a push button socket release?

This socket/ratchet kit was given to me by my grandpa many years ago. I was just looking to get it back in good working order for sentimental value. All my daily use ratchets are SnapOn

Does it resemble the 1/4" below?

 

[gonmad54]

The question remains......













Does the ratchet in question have a push button socket release?









Does it resemble the 1/4" below?

I posted pictures on the first page comparing the "refurbished" ratchet to another identical ratchet that was rebuilt a few weeks ago.


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[FordTruckWench]

I posted pictures on the first page comparing the "refurbished" ratchet to another identical ratchet that was rebuilt a few weeks ago.

Except they aren't identical. The one rebuilt "a few weeks ago" must be a Chinese ratchet. The rebuild kits are not interchangeable. I can tell it is Chinese because of the socket pusher pin that's part of the quick release mechanism. Your latest rebuild must be a USA ratchet.

 

[gonmad54]

Except they aren't identical. The one rebuilt "a few weeks ago" must be a Chinese ratchet. The rebuild kits are not interchangeable. I can tell it is Chinese because of the socket pusher pin that's part of the quick release mechanism. Your latest rebuild must be a USA ratchet.

Ok so they were identical before Sears put in the "Chinese" rebuild kit. USA body on both, same numbers. Do you know the difference between the VR and the KU? The Chinese kit in the USA body seems to work fine???


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[LB-1911]

KU = Danaher, ca. 1992 - 2005

VR = Danaher, ca. 2002 - ?

Craftsman Hand Tool Manufacturers & Date Ranges
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=84807

As to an Asian kit in a US ratchet - -

 

[gonmad54]

Well that's interesting about the line up. I'll pull it apart tonight and take some pictures. Maybe there is a new Chinese rebuild kit that fits the USA bodies??? I'll ask when I go in this weekend.


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[lordabraxis]

Well that's interesting about the line up. I'll pull it apart tonight and take some pictures. Maybe there is a new Chinese rebuild kit that fits the USA bodies??? I'll ask when I go in this weekend.


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I work at Sears and do most the ratchet repairs. All the repair kits for that style have the little push pin for socket release now whether it's made in China or USA. Sad to say but ALL the kits are made in China now. So basically what you have now is a USA made shell with China made internals. The USA and China made ratchets of the type DO have differences in the kits and won't work with each other.

If you want a USA made kit for your ratchet, ebay is probably your best bet. I might actually have one myself if you are interested. Send me a message if you are and I'll look around.

 

[LB-1911]

I work at Sears and do most the ratchet repairs. All the repair kits for that style have the little push pin for socket release now whether it's made in China or USA. Sad to say but ALL the kits are made in China now. So basically what you have now is a USA made shell with China made internals. The USA and China made ratchets of the type DO have differences in the kits and won't work with each other.

If you want a USA made kit for your ratchet, ebay is probably your best bet. I might actually have one myself if you are interested. Send me a message if you are and I'll look around.

Thank you for chiming in -

Two questions -

Have the repair kit numbers remained the same?

Do you have access to the documentation that supersedes what I posted that you can share?

 

[lordabraxis]

Thank you for chiming in -

Two questions -

Have the repair kit numbers remained the same?

Do you have access to the documentation that supersedes what I posted that you can share?

Yeah the kit numbers have remained the same for those type of ratchets.
The ratchet repair match-up list I know I can post (ill have to wait till tomorrow because I am off work today). The other document I'll have to search for because I don't know where that is off the top of my head.

 

[DSLTRK]

This socket/ratchet kit was given to me by my grandpa many years ago. I was just looking to get it back in good working order for sentimental value. All my daily use ratchets are SnapOn


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I understand the sentimental value but the ratchets aren't that old. The VR is a 2002 and VU 2005.

The kits you will receive will be Chicom. I don't care for them.

 

[gdocktor3]

Sears will give you the rebuild kit for free. Just do it yourself. Its easy. One time I had a 1/2" USA ratchet, but they didn't have a rebuild kit for it. So I went home and took apart the chinese ratchet I had and put the guts into the USA one. Then exchanged the chinese one for another chinese one. It sits in my trailer's tool box with a 7/8" socket in case I get a flat and the USA one is one of my many tool chests.

Just food for thought. Yes the guts may be chinese, but atleast the handle is still USA.

 

[lordabraxis]

Sears will give you the rebuild kit for free. Just do it yourself. Its easy. One time I had a 1/2" USA ratchet, but they didn't have a rebuild kit for it. So I went home and took apart the chinese ratchet I had and put the guts into the USA one. Then exchanged the chinese one for another chinese one. It sits in my trailer's tool box with a 7/8" socket in case I get a flat and the USA one is one of my many tool chests.

Just food for thought. Yes the guts may be chinese, but atleast the handle is still USA.

Guessing it wasn't one of the teardrop styles that was shown above? Because I know they aren't interchangeable (unless you do some modifications I suppose). The holes for the lever are even in different spots

 

[stage20]

Sears will give you the rebuild kit for free. Just do it yourself. Its easy. One time I had a 1/2" USA ratchet, but they didn't have a rebuild kit for it. So I went home and took apart the chinese ratchet I had and put the guts into the USA one. Then exchanged the chinese one for another chinese one. It sits in my trailer's tool box with a 7/8" socket in case I get a flat and the USA one is one of my many tool chests.

Just food for thought. Yes the guts may be chinese, but atleast the handle is still USA.

my sears will not give me any kits. ive tried. talked with the manager. no dice.

 

[stage20]

Exactly. This ratchet is just sentimental. I really don't use it but craftsman products were built on a warranty where if you have a problem you can take it back and get a new rebuild kit or a new replacement. When I go back this weekend I will talk to the manager and clarify what their policy is these days. Maybe things have changed???


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im giving you good advice here. just go back and pretend you never had them rebuild it. just say it doesnt work and let them swap it out or rebuild it.

by complaining or asking questions you are just making it harder to get in and get out and have a smile on your face the rest of the day.

 

[06switchback]

After reading a thread I think on this forum I have tried to clean and lube some craftsman ratchets there isn't much to them but my luck has not been the best I got 1 out of 3 back together and working the first I shot the little ball across the garage the second is the one that works the third all the parts are in a zip lock bag that was the only 1/4 I tried those are some small parts

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[gonmad54]

After reading a thread I think on this forum I have tried to clean and lube some craftsman ratchets there isn't much to them but my luck has not been the best I got 1 out of 3 back together and working the first I shot the little ball across the garage the second is the one that works the third all the parts are in a zip lock bag that was the only 1/4 I tried those are some small parts

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Do you have the SnapOn ratchet rebuild tool? That makes it a lot easier.
https://store.snapon.com/Non-Catalog-Items-RAT-REPR-TL-P9643445.aspx


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