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Williams S-52 Superratchet help.

plumber84

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Dec 18, 2011
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Well guys as the title suggests i need help with my new S-52, i bought this ratchet of ebay, it is an ex-ministry of defence that seems brand new/never used, it has a Snap-on 1997 date code on it and works really well the only issue i have is i dont know to switch it into reverse, any ideas? :headscrat
 

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SMKS

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You may have to hold the square drive while you turn the knob on top. Otherwise "step away from the ratchet"

Charles

I've been surprised to see a few people who couldn't figure this out or thought their ratchet was broken because they didn't try this.




To the OP-

It may just be seized. Try squirting some penetrating oil around the drive end and the cap.

Also, here's a (ghetto) description of changing direction and opening this ratchet. I've never successfully opened one, though. Mine have all been pretty stuck.

attachment.php
 
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plumber84

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Thanks for the detailed break down that answers many question i have about this ratchet.:thumbup:

That the one from Ramco?

Maybe the selector is seized? Have you opened it up yet?

I am going to disasemble the ratchet mechanism and have a look inside, this however brings me to my second question which is, is there a special tool to remove the cover ring? and if not how is it removed?:thumbup:
 
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plumber84

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It may just be seized. Try squirting some penetrating oil around the drive end and the cap.

Also, here's a (ghetto) description of changing direction and opening this ratchet. I've never successfully opened one, though. Mine have all been pretty stuck.

attachment.php

Many thanks for your help i will let every one know how i get on.:thumbup::beer:
 

TwoInch

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there are no special tools i have heard of, and i have had multiple threads on these ratchets.

i used a 4.5" angle grinder pin wrench, and ground the pins flat to fit the slots on the ratchet. got a couple ratchets apart, and a couple other were seized horribly.

try soaking the head of the ratchet in atf/acetone, or some other penetrant for a few days.
 
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plumber84

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You may have to hold the square drive while you turn the knob on top. Otherwise "step away from the ratchet"

Charles

You were right, by holding the 1/2" square drive the selector switch moves freely and changes direction, no need to strip her down though i might give it a drop of lube and a clean just out of interest, thanks all for the replies, i new i could rely on all you ratchet addicts. :lol_hitti
 
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TwoInch

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You were right, by holding the 1/2" square drive the selector switch moves freely and changes direction, no need to strip her down though i might give it a drop of lube and a clean just out of interest, thanks all for the replies, i new i could rely on all you ratchet addicts. :lol_hitti

:lol_hitti

i didnt realize that could be difficult to figure out. mine are like that also.

if the ratchet is loud and clanky, you can disassemble it partially, pull the guts, but dont disassemble the inner assembly. just spray out with brake cleaner, use a pick to get some superlube in the inner parts, and it will be one of the smoothest ratchets you own surely. these ratchet work very well with superlube, almost zero back stroke drag, and pretty damn quiet also.
 
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plumber84

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:lol_hitti

i didnt realize that could be difficult to figure out. mine are like that also.

if the ratchet is loud and clanky, you can disassemble it partially, pull the guts, but dont disassemble the inner assembly. just spray out with brake cleaner, use a pick to get some superlube in the inner parts, and it will be one of the smoothest ratchets you own surely. these ratchet work very well with superlube, almost zero back stroke drag, and pretty damn quiet also.

I think super lube is the best lube aswell, but how much would you use and would to much be a bad thing. when you say "dont remove the inner workings" i get visions of springs and pawls flying all over the room? :lol_hitti
 

SMKS

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I think he just means remove the mechanism, which will come out as one piece.

You actually don't even need to do that, if it's already working ok. Dripping some oil in around the drive is all mine ever needed.
 

TwoInch

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I think super lube is the best lube aswell, but how much would you use and would to much be a bad thing. when you say "dont remove the inner workings" i get visions of springs and pawls flying all over the room? :lol_hitti

these ratchets dont seem to care if you put too much in, as they arent a true fine tooth, they are dual pawl coarse tooth, which makes it fine tooth. one of the ratchets i couldnt get apart, i packed like a bearing, grease in palm of my hand, and packed away for about 20 mins. i am confident a good amount made it past the small gaps and into the gear/pawl mechanism. it works great, but the few i did get apart, and cleaned then relubed are the smoothest by far.

what i mean by not taking the inners out, i mean not disassembling the inner pawl mechanism. you can pull it out of the ratchet body, but leave it intact. there is no risk of any bearings or springs flying out until you start really disassembling the inner mechanism. in my experience, there is no need to fully disassemble, you only need to pull the outer nut, and slide the insides out in one peice, spray with brake cleaner a few times, lube and put back together. a monkey could do it, nothing comes apart, no springs or anything to deal with.

BUT, your ratchet looks to be in very good condition. all mine are much much older models, like the one in the link i posted earlier. they needed a thorough cleaning and lube job. yours may not, but i do not doubt that it would benefit from the grease treatment, as opposed to an few drops of oil. its actually fairly difficult to get any lube to get into the mechanism without disassembling. soaking would be the only way that wouldnt be a pain in the ***.

if i had YOUR ratchet, i would attempt to get the nut off, if it fought back, i wouldnt pursue it very far. i bet yours will come apart easily, but if not just use it as is with a soak in oil of your choice. after the soak, take a wad of paper towels, and smack the ratchet into your hand, selector side down a few times. this will get the excess oil out, and leave a non-messy ratchet for use. :thumbup:
 

oak_park

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When I find these ratchets, I never open them unless its stuck. It's too easy to damage the outer ring and then later sometimes it will loosen on its own or you over tighten when closing it back up and the directional lever won't move. Just drip some oil around the drive and leave it be.
 

TwoInch

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When I find these ratchets, I never open them unless its stuck. It's too easy to damage the outer ring and then later sometimes it will loosen on its own or you over tighten when closing it back up and the directional lever won't move.

not saying this isnt possible, but the many i have had apart could not be over tightened to where it wouldnt select. with the nut completely bottomed out, the selectors all have slop in them. the rings are pretty durable also, i have sheared and mangled pin spanners, broken snap ring pliers, hammered and chiseled them, and they hold their slots pretty well.

if it were an older, used/abused ratchet, id say it might be a hassle to get open, but that ratchet is fairly new, relative manufacture date wise, and in great condition. i bet it will open up with minimal effort. id try it, most definitely. doing so can make a decent ratchet into a first choice type ratchet.
 

TwoInch

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emeraldcoupe, if you have a chance, GJ member "u118224" is trying to find the thread size and pitch of the newer style s-52 slotted selector screw... his is lost, and Williams wont help him.
 
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plumber84

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Dec 18, 2011
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England
those are my favorite ratchets, i pick them up whenever i can. plumber84, nice avatar, one of my favorite shows. want that one!
IMG_2850.jpg

Copy my avatar by double clicking very close to the top left hand corner and dragging over the avatar, the image will become high lighted, then right click it and cut and paste. :thumbup:
 
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