Snapon KRL drawer slides

[Rickoo]

Hi all,

New here and have a question...

I bought a gently used (2 year old) Snapon KRL 7022 box and am in the process of cleaning it up. I noticed the drawers don't close all that easy and am wondering if this is normal. I mean, they aren't "hard" to close, but I'm not sure if the force required to close them is normal.

I would have expected them to close easier. If you push a drawer and let go, will it close on its own? Mine don't. Have to push them all the way closed. If the casters are positioned from front to rear, and you're pushing a drawer, the box will move back a little.

Is this typical for these boxes?

Also, any suggestions on easy ways to clean drawer slides? I wiped them down and then used lithium grease on them. Still feel stiff tho.

Thanks!

 

[Roland-5.0]

I've noticed they slide nicer with weight in them.

 

[86k10]

They don't feel that smooth when empty, add about 50 lbs. and they should feel normal.

 

[tjmonsen5]

They should slide pretty easily. My box is about 6 months old, and if i just unlatch the drawer, it will open almost all the way by itself because my garage is not perfectly level. The bigger drawers with more weight in them slide a lot easier. The small narrow drawers dont really move by themselves.

 

[DARKSCOPE001]

My new KRL box also feels like that. Especially in some of the drawers that are "lite" Add some weight to them like others have said. Ive noticed all my drawers that actually bear some weight are easy to close and glide nice and smooth like they should in the comercials. but the ones that are barely loaded seem to be tough and if you have lock and roll like I do. there isnt enough momentum to overcome the latch and so it gets stuck and is super annoying.

Guess your just gona have to buy some more tools

Good Luck
Sean Scott

 

[Rickoo]

Thanks for the input.

Just removed and cleaned all the slides with brake clean and am ready to re-lube them and re-install. So, we'll see how they work after that's done.

Wondering if Lithium grease is the best way to go.

Any suggestions?

 

[CWP1616L]

The factory uses Superlube 21030.

 

[wornoutoldman]

And they will not close by themselves like those fancy kitchen cabinets you find nowadays.

 

[redwrench60]

Don't put lithium grease on those slides, that **** will dry out and attract dirt then stiffen the drawer even worse. I don't think Snap-On even recommends lubricating roller bearing slides. The reason it's so stiff is like you said it's lightly used and without any weight in there the drawers will be stiff. Load that box and use it!

 

[Rickoo]

Don't think I would use these with no lubrication. Called Snapon and they told me to use a "light" lithium grease.

CWP1616L, how do you know the factory uses Superlube 21030?

 

[CWP1616L]

CWP1616L, how do you know the factory uses Superlube 21030?

Because it's included in the ratchet rebuild kits that Snap-on provides.

The grease that's on the slides looks identical; translucent clear.

 

[shurik06_83]

I just picked up my first KRL combo today and same thing the slides felt stiff compared to my KR took some spray lube and gave all the slides a shot everything glides like a dream now the grease they use gets dry over time and the slides feel stiff

 

[CWP1616L]

Superlube 21030 never dries out.

 

[Subyroo651]

I just picked up my first KRL... took some spray lube and gave all the slides a shot everything glides like a dream now the grease they use gets dry over time and the slides feel stiff

Fail...

 

[Rickoo]

Update...

Picked up some Superlube 21030. Worked great. Would highly recommend!

 

[miketyler]

I am having exact same problem with a 3bay KRL I bought recently. Assume you mean they slide freely now without weight in them? Some of these drawers are like another pull handle and will pull the box towards you before the drawer opens. Where can I get this SuperLube you speak of?

 

[Rickoo]

I bought two 3oz. tubes from Amazon. Do a search and you'll find it. Used just under one tube for my box. It's a KRL7022. It doesn't take much to lube a slide, but with a larger box, you would probably want two.

I think the key is to clean the slides COMPLETELY. They pop right out of the cabinet. I used about 6-7 cans of brake clean. Hind sight, I would probably configure a tray, fill it with thinner or mineral spirits and let them soak overnight exercising them a few times. Blow dry.

They work beautifully now. Slide easily in and out with the drawer unloaded. Loaded work even smoother.

 

[miketyler]

This box has several drawers and was hoping to avoid disassembly and cleaning but I guess it must be done. So if Snappy uses SuperLube, does it gum up after years of non use or ?

 

[Rickoo]

Check back in a few years and I'll let you know.

 

[miketyler]

After seeing how these drawers all gummed up with the Snap-on lube, I am tempted to leave them dry. I pulled several opf them this weekend and after a quick washing in the parts washer they roll nice and smooth. Do you know if Snappy was using Super lube on their rails 10+ years ago? Whatever they were using then I dont want to use again.

 

[Rickoo]

I wouldn't operate these slides with no lubrication. I have no idea what Snapon used years ago.

Just my opinion. ymmv.