taking apart a S-O ratcheting screwdriver
- Thread starter plinker
- Start date
ricleh
Well-known member
I believe the internals of the hard handles are the same as the soft handles. I put the shafts from the soft handle set into the hard handles and they lock in place just like in the soft handles.
woody 73
Well-known member
Thank you for the great tip,the pictures were very nice!
I picked up a T-handle ratcheting driver, and the "Snap-On" logo was barely readable. Figured it was worth something, so I brought it home and took it apart for cleaning/lubing. Internals looked just like yours.
But I found it a bit cheesey construction. The pawls and inner splined collar are high quality steel, but the body seemed almost like pot metal. Could not get it to run smoothly. I think the inner throat of the body was worn out of round by hard use, and the splined collar would **** sideways and sieze up.
Eventually just filled the guts with epoxy and let it set up fixed
, plus removed the distorted 1/4" knuckle and installed a swivel.
But I found it a bit cheesey construction. The pawls and inner splined collar are high quality steel, but the body seemed almost like pot metal. Could not get it to run smoothly. I think the inner throat of the body was worn out of round by hard use, and the splined collar would **** sideways and sieze up.
Eventually just filled the guts with epoxy and let it set up fixed
, plus removed the distorted 1/4" knuckle and installed a swivel.Todd.Brock
Well-known member
Thanks for the tips. My soft grip took a dive into the sump pit while replacing the pump. I let it dry out but the impact must have moved the internals around. I disassembled it , cleaned, little grease, and voila... good as new. Thanks! 
Step 4: If rebuilding, replace parts and skip to step5 If removing shank to allow multiple shanks/blades remove "spring ring retainer" from shank.(looks like a lock washer)
Does anyone know if the "spring ring retainer" is reusable? Can I swap around shanks on my hard handle drivers, to best suit my needs, and reuse the same retainer? Thanks in advance.
Does anyone know if the "spring ring retainer" is reusable? Can I swap around shanks on my hard handle drivers, to best suit my needs, and reuse the same retainer? Thanks in advance.
NinetyTwoFifty
Banned
Plinker, I just want to say thanks for some great info!
I just lubed my screwdriver using your instructions and it's now smooth as silk.
I just lubed my screwdriver using your instructions and it's now smooth as silk.
I just got a used bent handle and there seems to be quite a bit of resistance on this thing to the point where it's hardly a ratcheting screwdriver. What are you guys using for lube as I think they used molasses in mine.
Benji
Well-known member
Thank's for the info.
Brucegbombara
Well-known member
I just recieved a rebuild kit in the mail because the do not make the ratchet screwdriver I have ssdmr24 and to be honest it looks a little intimidating lol. Theres alot of pieces in the kit. I guess when I get the nerve up I will give it a shot. I've taken the cap and shaft out before but I didn't realize there were so many internal pieces
Brucegbombara
Well-known member
So I did the rebuild and it was very easy. The only problem I had was that lock washer piece that goes over the shank. The old was was hard to get off and the new one was even harder to get on. I think I kind of bent it getting it on. But the ratchet works well now and the shank seems to be on there securely. Any tips on getting that piece on without damaging it would be helpful
Generally speaking it's not a hard job to do but making sure everything is lined up and compressing retaining ring is at the same time can be a trick sometimes.
For the retaining ring, I pry from side to side to get it off take a little time but is the best way I found. To install it, a socket would work to start it and if it's a deep socket to drive it on the rest of the way. A 7/16 or there about should do it.
It does a specfic area it has to be in to be effective(can't be to much or too little or it wont go back together right), so it's a good idea to mark the location before removing the ring with tape or paint or what not.
I put a short shank (the interghangeable style with the detent ball) in my one hard handle style driver and used the blade/shank retaining ring on it as I didnt want it interchangeable at the time.
For the retaining ring, I pry from side to side to get it off take a little time but is the best way I found. To install it, a socket would work to start it and if it's a deep socket to drive it on the rest of the way. A 7/16 or there about should do it.
It does a specfic area it has to be in to be effective(can't be to much or too little or it wont go back together right), so it's a good idea to mark the location before removing the ring with tape or paint or what not.
I put a short shank (the interghangeable style with the detent ball) in my one hard handle style driver and used the blade/shank retaining ring on it as I didnt want it interchangeable at the time.
bmwohio
Well-known member
Awesome! Didn't know this thread existed. Just did this to my well used SSDMR4A, and it is MUCH smoother now. This is just like taking a part and re-lubing a SK 45170.
If you have not done this in a while, I would recommend it. Took me about 20 minutes to do
If you have not done this in a while, I would recommend it. Took me about 20 minutes to do
supra90turbo
Well-known member
I have something to add to this thread. To those looking for a way to keep the shank in the driver somewhat securely I have found a solution, much like the newer ratcheting drivers have (I assume, I haven't seen one personally)
It's a small A/C seal. It's aluminum with a rubber or viton seal on the inside. With a small amount of grinding on the OD you can make it fit into the recess of the cap and it holds the bit very securely.
It's a GM part, 52477087 is the number and it's $9.64 list price
I can provide anyone with a seal if they want for around $7 shipped.
-Kurt
It's a small A/C seal. It's aluminum with a rubber or viton seal on the inside. With a small amount of grinding on the OD you can make it fit into the recess of the cap and it holds the bit very securely.
It's a GM part, 52477087 is the number and it's $9.64 list price
I can provide anyone with a seal if they want for around $7 shipped.
-Kurt
Did anyone ever find a source for the rubber washer/bushing that goes inside the cap? Does it come in the screwdriver rebuild kit? I've got a SO hard handle ratcheting screwdriver and a Williams ratcheting screwdriver that I am considering modifying to permit use of different shanks and blades but I would really like to have the rubber washer/bushing.
mooman
Well-known member
Could you use an O Ring?
supra90turbo
Well-known member
Look up, I found a solution not too long ago...
I saw that but it is much easier for me to order from Snap-on if the part is available (individually or in a rebuild kit.) In addition, I do not have to do "a small amount of grinding."
Perhaps but I wonder how long it would last? Don't want to have to disassemble my screwdrivers periodically to replace O-rings when the part designed for the job may be available from Snap-on.
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Bolster
Well-known member
Thank you for this tutorial Plinker. I hereby bestow this award upon you:
With your instruction I fixed my screwdriver T-handle. I had pulled the shank out thoughtlessly, thinking it was like my stubby ratcheting screwdriver.
The shank won't go back in these non-interchangeable T-handles unless you disassemble, push the one-way "lock washer" back on, and reassemble.
With your instruction I fixed my screwdriver T-handle. I had pulled the shank out thoughtlessly, thinking it was like my stubby ratcheting screwdriver.
The shank won't go back in these non-interchangeable T-handles unless you disassemble, push the one-way "lock washer" back on, and reassemble.
Sick Puppy
Well-known member
Looks like I'll be joining you Bolster in repairing mine - I went a bit SO crazy over the last fortnight, and the first one to arrive was a used Tee-handle with a 4" shank.
Selector cap is cracked and out of alignment, so I'll have to strip it and replace the cap. Just as well I paid not very much for it... too mch hassle to ship it back to the US
Selector cap is cracked and out of alignment, so I'll have to strip it and replace the cap. Just as well I paid not very much for it... too mch hassle to ship it back to the US
DanCo
Well-known member
jjjrmx5
Well-known member
There are two types of S-O ratcheting screwdrivers out there: fixed shank and removable shank,
The fixed shank units came with and internal clip that holds the shank fixed into the handle. The removeable shanks swapped that clip out with a friction fit o-ring and mechanism.
Swap out the guts with a OEM repair kit for a removable shank driver and just buy the shank length you want. They come in stubby, std. and long.
Kits work on both soft grip or hard handle.
IIRC, you can buy a new fixed shaft shank and then just replace it alone. My driver had done it once for a co-worker.
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
Hey jjjrmx5, I like your signature!
This thread helped me rebuild several of my screwdrivers...so I am going to help you!
Part numbers for the end caps:
SSDMR4B1TT - black
SSDMR4B1RTT - red
SSDMR4B1OTT - orange
SSDMR4B1GTT - green
Part numbers for the reverse caps:
SSDMR4A6TT - black
SSDMR4A6RTT - red
SSDMR4A6OTT - orange
This thread helped me rebuild several of my screwdrivers...so I am going to help you!
Part numbers for the end caps:
SSDMR4B1TT - black
SSDMR4B1RTT - red
SSDMR4B1OTT - orange
SSDMR4B1GTT - green
Part numbers for the reverse caps:
SSDMR4A6TT - black
SSDMR4A6RTT - red
SSDMR4A6OTT - orange
stonesfan68
Well-known member
Do these reverse caps include the seal that is required to use the interchangeable shafts in the hard handle screwdrivers?
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
I don't have any shanks other than the normal ratcheting screwdriver ones. By removing the retaining ring, they become interchangeable.
robe5000
Well-known member
My SO ratchy screwdriver slips like crazy in tighty mode, there might be 2 hours of use on!
Any ideas on fixes?
Any ideas on fixes?
supra90turbo
Well-known member
Contact your snap on dealer.
Or, disassemble, clean, grease, reassemble
Or, disassemble, clean, grease, reassemble