Williams Ratchets - 1/4" to 3/8" Drive Conversion....Why Do Mine ****?!

[Dave in Mpls]

OK, maybe **** is a stretch, but they are not stellar.

I recently picked up 2 X M-52EHFA and 2 X M-52EHA (all new) along with some Snap-On RKRFC936 repair kits (also new) for some conversions for myself and a buddy. I completed 3 of the 4 conversions over the weekend. The issue I'm having is that any time a lateral load is applied to the ratchet/socket, the gears feel like I lubed them with sand! When the load is perfectly (or nearly) perpendicular to the socket, all is well, and they operate smoothly. This occurs in both the "on" and "off" directions, on all 3 conversions. The one remaining 1/4" ratchet (M-52EHA) does not exibit this behavior, nor do any of my other remaining 36-tooth Snap-On ratchets.

Full disclosure - I did short-cut the conversions, swapping only the gears, seals, and cover plates. All were lubed with Super Lube 21030.

Any ideas as to cause, or is it just the nature of the beasts? Anybody else experience the same or similar?

Thanks

 

[WWheeler]

I've done the M-52EHFA 1/4" dr to 3/8" conversion using Snappy's RKRFC936 3/8" dr kit. I also kept one 1/4 dr, and I have used Superlube in both. Been so long now I don't remember if I only used those parts of the kit or all of it. All I can say is I've used both many many times and they both still work and feel like they did when new. Great ratchets. Zero complaints from me.

 

[Swincjas000]

Did you ever try switching the pawls and see if that made a difference? This is the only thread on this subject on the entire internet