Thorsen Breaker Bar

[merlin1952]

I have an old Thorsen 16L breaker bar (belonged to my grandfather) that the little ball is gone from the head unit so needless to say the sockets won’t stay on. How would I go about repairing this issue? Thanks

 

[B_Bimmer]

If you can get a small spring and a bb that just fits, it should be possible to "damage" the area around where it fits enough with a chisel to make it hold. Of course it's probably not worth the time and energy searching and doing, but it wouldn't stop me from making my best attempt. Nothing is more satisfying then making something that was useless function again.

 

[four.cycle]

$24.99 including shipping:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Tho...:g:cHQAAOSwPcVVkFqc&item=161777661047&vxp=mtr

 

[kwoswalt99]

If you can get a small spring and a bb that just fits, it should be possible to "damage" the area around where it fits enough with a chisel to make it hold. Of course it's probably not worth the time and energy searching and doing, but it wouldn't stop me from making my best attempt. Nothing is more satisfying then making something that was useless function again.

I think a chisel would make it look kind of "messy". I'd make a punch similar to the factory tool that punches the lip. I'm a semi-perfectionist though, so take that as you will.

 

[merlin1952]

I appreciate the responses. I have other breaker bars so not really interested in buying a replacement rather for sentimental reasons would like to repair this one. I guess I could rob the ball and spring from a cheap ½ inch drive tool of some flavor but not necessarily feeling good about my chances on getting it installed in the Thorsen, might be worth a try though. Is there a practical way to replace the whole head unit? Thanks again for everyone’s assistance.

 

[tube_guy]

I appreciate the responses. I have other breaker bars so not really interested in buying a replacement rather for sentimental reasons would like to repair this one. I guess I could rob the ball and spring from a cheap ½ inch drive tool of some flavor but not necessarily feeling good about my chances on getting it installed in the Thorsen, might be worth a try though. Is there a practical way to replace the whole head unit? Thanks again for everyone’s assistance.

The old US made Thorsen tools haven't been made in about thirty years, so it's really unlikely that you'd be able to get some sort of rebuild kit. That means the most practical way to replace the whole drive head is to find the same or a similar breaker bar used, remove the drive head from the donor bar, and use that to replace your damaged drive. Then I guess you could put your damaged drive head back on the donor bar and sell that one on eBay to recoup some of your costs. Of course, you should mention the damaged drive in your auction listing just to be honest.

Those old Thorsen breaker bars aren't super common, so that eBay auction four.cycle listed might be a pretty good option if it is similar to your grandfather's breaker bar. When that's gone, you might be looking and hoping for a while.

 

[Larryjones]

Do a quick search for spring plunger. I either use an easy out or just drill out the old plunger and pop in a new one. If yours is integral you can still drill it for a replacement.

 

[johninct]

I did an SK last year, very easy. Go to a hardware store and buy a spring ( may need to cut it) and ball bearing (that just fits in the hole). Dry fit everything . Put the spring in the hole then take a flat punch/ hammer and peen the hole od just very very little. Next put the ball bearing over the hole (it will now not fit in the hole) and with a brass punch and hammer, lightly tap the ball bearing in. Next, take the steel punch/ hammer and peen the hole OD smaller so the ball will not fall out.

 

[merlin1952]

John, thanks for the detailed description for making the needed repairs to my old breaker bar. Explained that way it sounds like something I could actually accomplish myself. Thanks to everyone for their responses.

 

[bonneyman]

I think first, with the ball removed, I would drill a 1/16" hole through to the back side of the friction ball hole. That way, if the ball gets stuck or you need to redo the repair for some reason, you'll be able to pop out the ball with a 1/16" punch.

Next, redrill the ball hole to the size of the new ball. That will clean the hole of any rust or dirt.

Then, peen as desribed above. Staking punches are used for this purpose. Gunsmiths usually have these.

I saw recently where someone used the tiny spring from a disposable lighter for these repairs. Not sure if it was on GJ or somewhere else.

I repair tossed or "broken" ratchets all the time like this.

 

[merlin1952]

This is really great advice thanks to everyone for the assistance. Which staking punch would I need for this? To be honest I’m not at all familiar with them. I did a search and quickly discovered that there are numerous types of them. I would gladly pick one up if I knew which one I needed.

 

[Kensgarage]

$24.99 including shipping:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Tho...:g:cHQAAOSwPcVVkFqc&item=161777661047&vxp=mtr

Guess you didn't see the "grandfather" part.
If it was mine I'd go to Grainger and get a ball bearing and spring. Get someone to hold the ball in and stake the edge the hole with a sharp center punch. It'll work.

 

[SMKS]

I think there's a special punch you can use for resetting the ball. I've seen them talked about in other threads.

 

[joecon]

They must make a kit my old mac guy used to do them for me.He had the balls
and springs and punch that would stake the hole.

 

[johninct]

My ball replacement came out like you would never know it was done and I only used a flat punch. That way, all sides of the hole are bent in. It doesn't take much to hold the ball so don't go crazy with the punch.

 

[merlin1952]

This thread has gotten far more responses than I ever anticipated. I have a project going on for the next week or so but will definitely try to get a ball bearing and spring and give it a try in the next few weeks. Thanks again to everyone for their help.