Snap ring size for 3/8 Craftsmen ratchet 43784

[scottybk]

Anyone know the correct snap ring size for an older USA made Craftsmen 3/8 drive ratchet with ratchet model number 43784 ? This is the larger snap ring that hold the anvil's round escutcheon to the ratchet head.

I scored the ratchet for a buck at a yard sale this weekend, it cleaned and lubed up REALLY nice but of course the snap ring that holds the anvil assembly went flying during final reassembly and is MIA. Does this Harbor Freight kit have one that will work? Wouldn;t mind having spares around, I come across these older C'man ratchets all the time at yard sales and flea markets and they are easy to restore and get into service again.

https://www.harborfreight.com/300-piece-internal-retaining-ring-assortment-67656.html

 

[Ed in Virginia]

I can't help you with the snap ring, but I can share a tip for how I assemble smaller parts/tools/? with parts like small springs, snap rings, etc. I have a see-through plastic bag that is big enough for a part like yours and my two hands, and I do the assembly inside the bag in case something goes flying. It will be retained in the bag for you.

 

[exmaxima1]

Pardon Our Interruption...

Available on the auction site

 

[gmcgeo]

5/8" external snap ring, Yes, that kit does have 5/8" external retaining rings in it.

 

[scottybk]

5/8" external snap ring, Yes, that kit does have 5/8" external retaining rings in it.

It would be an internal ring, the ring is squeezed together to remove it, then squeezed and "let go" to expand into the groove in the escutcheon during reassembly. .

I'm going to buy the internal snap ring assortment at HF today and see what works. The issue is that the original snap ring does not have the little loop holes to put snap ring plier tips in, so you have to use very tiny thin needle nose. The new HF ones have the little loop circles so you can use snap ring pliers to remove/install.

https://www.harborfreight.com/300-piece-internal-retaining-ring-assortment-67656.html

 

[Etchase]

I don’t even know how they are sized. If I were to guess I would think it is the final installed diameter after the ring is installed and put under tension. I have an imperial and metric assortment and have been lucky to find something that worked the five times I’ve needed a new ring on ratchets.

 

[gmcgeo]

It would be an internal ring, the ring is squeezed together to remove it, then squeezed and "let go" to expand into the groove in the escutcheon during reassembly. .

I'm going to buy the internal snap ring assortment at HF today and see what works. The issue is that the original snap ring does not have the little loop holes to put snap ring plier tips in, so you have to use very tiny thin needle nose. The new HF ones have the little loop circles so you can use snap ring pliers to remove/install.

https://www.harborfreight.com/300-piece-internal-retaining-ring-assortment-67656.html

If it is internal it would be the 7/8" either way, its in the HB kit

 

[scottybk]

If it is internal it would be the 7/8" either way, its in the HB kit

Thanks for all the advice guys, I will post some info and pics tonight after I get the HF snap ring kit and hopefully get the ratchet back in service !

 

[scottybk]

UPDATE: The Harbor Frieght snap ring assortment didn't work. None of them work because they are the "flat washer" style snap rings, whereas the original was a wire style snap ring. The HF snap rings are very stiff steel and I can't even get them around the eschuteon groove to compress them.

This is very frustrating. Guess I will have to order the original, which are expensive.

 

[scottybk]

UPDATE: The Harbor Frieght snap ring assortment didn't work. None of them work because they are the "flat washer" style snap rings, whereas the original was a wire style snap ring. The HF snap rings are very stiff steel and I can't even get them around the eschuteon groove to compress them.

This is very frustrating. Guess I will have to order the original, which are expensive.

Does anyone have any ideas here? I'm really aggrevated and sad now. Why couldn't Sears just use an ordinary snap ring?

 

[Etchase]

Does anyone have any ideas here? I'm really aggrevated and sad now. Why couldn't Sears just use an ordinary snap ring?

Just file the HF snap ring until it fits? As long as it holds the anvil in, the fit isn’t critical. Who is the manufacturer of the ratchet? That might be another source of a donor ratchet. I use a magnet to search for runaway parts with some success. You might want to search for the original part one more time.

 

[BillK]

I am pretty sure I have one of those ratchets at home. Ill take a look tonight and see if I can measure the snap ring. I also have a pretty good stash of rings.

Is this the ratchet you are working on ?

Selector Lever 43784 43785 42791 42793 Sears Craftsman 3/8 Ratchet USA for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Selector Lever 43784 43785 42791 42793 Sears Craftsman 3/8 Ratchet USA at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[scottybk]

I am pretty sure I have one of those ratchets at home. Ill take a look tonight and see if I can measure the snap ring. I also have a pretty good stash of rings.

Is this the ratchet you are working on ?

Selector Lever 43784 43785 42791 42793 Sears Craftsman 3/8 Ratchet USA for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Selector Lever 43784 43785 42791 42793 Sears Craftsman 3/8 Ratchet USA at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Yes, that's the ratchet. Thanks.

 

[scottybk]

Anyone?

 

[oak_park]

I have one, I'll mail it to you. Check your PM's.