How-To Service your Craftsman Ratchet - EASY! - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

Farkel · 02-26-2011, 08:05 PM

I made a quick guide on how to do this easy service job... makes a noticeable difference!

If you're bored and have some spare time, try it out.

How to Service Your Craftsman Ratchet | GRAND MIGHTY

Hywarp161 · 02-26-2011, 08:28 PM

I did this to my ratchets a few years ago, makes a nice difference. be sure to use a heavy grease and watch out for those first hot days as the grease does have a tendency to to ooz out.

HPKMotorsports3 · 02-26-2011, 08:31 PM

nice now all i need is a set of craftsmen sockets

Lees_Garage · 02-26-2011, 08:48 PM

I like it! Thanks for sharing.

MadScientist · 02-26-2011, 10:06 PM

Shweeeeeet... just did this.

Irresistible · 02-26-2011, 10:36 PM

I should go get my ratchets replaced under the lifetime warranty, and do this right when I get my new ones to make them last a little longer... Thanks.

theriver43 · 02-26-2011, 10:50 PM

I used to work at sears. The ratchets are greased from the factory, but its very thin and very very little. When we'd rebuild them for warranty we always used a thicker grease and a wee bit more. It does wonders.

MisawaJason · 02-26-2011, 11:09 PM

pretty cool little write up man. Thanks. Gonna have to do this to my tools when I get home

Tantwoforty · 02-27-2011, 07:17 PM

i swap mine out first sign of it not feeling nice..
my local sears is nice to me lol

ATLspeed · 02-27-2011, 07:31 PM

....sooo gonna do this. Any thing against doing this to a torque wrench?

zero.counter · 02-27-2011, 07:33 PM

Very nice article. Thanks for the heads up! Works like a dream now.

Pure_JDM · 02-27-2011, 08:10 PM

Very nice share... love it when people are actually contributing positively to the internet... HAHA.

I'm gonna give this a whirl tomorrow. I find it odd now that I think about it. Of all the shit I've taken apart, I've yet to take a socket wrench apart... lol

Inland180 · 03-01-2011, 02:16 AM

Good find! easy stuff

godrifttoday · 03-01-2011, 08:26 AM

For the time spent doing that... Well... Just go to your local sears and get a new one ( remanufactured) the life time warranty

axiomatik · 03-01-2011, 08:52 AM

Why replace an otherwise fine ratchet? We need to get out of the disposable society mentality.

codyace · 03-01-2011, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by godrifttoday

For the time spent doing that... Well... Just go to your local sears and get a new one ( remanufactured) the life time warranty

When you're using them as a shop, it gets tiresome replacing them.

Z28ricer · 03-01-2011, 10:40 AM

How to service your craftsman ratchet in 5 easy steps !

Step 1. grasp ratchet

Step 2. Walk over to the nearest trash can

Step 3. Extend arm, placing hand with ratchet above the trash receptacle

Step 4. Release

Step 5. Go buy a snapon, sk finetooth, or other quality ratchet.

codyace · 03-01-2011, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z28ricer

How to service your craftsman ratchet in 5 easy steps !

Step 1. grasp ratchet

Step 2. Walk over to the nearest trash can

Step 3. Extend arm, placing hand with ratchet above the trash receptacle

Step 4. Release

Step 5. Go buy a snapon, sk finetooth, or other quality ratchet.

Snap On Ownership
1. Use tool
2. Break it
3. Wait 3 days until Snap On guy comes around to get it (or chase around town trying to find it).
4. Yay, back in service

Our shop has no preference. It's all junk, it all breaks, and all is overpriced. We use the majority of Craftsman stuff as Sears is 5 minutes away. Then again we have 3-4 of each tool too. Specialty stuff though, Matco or Snap On. Trust stuff, usually CP

Z28ricer · 03-01-2011, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by codyace

Snap On Ownership
1. Use tool
2. Break it
3. Wait 3 days until Snap On guy comes around to get it (or chase around town trying to find it).
4. Yay, back in service

Our shop has no preference. It's all junk, it all breaks, and all is overpriced. We use the majority of Craftsman stuff as Sears is 5 minutes away. Then again we have 3-4 of each tool too. Specialty stuff though, Matco or Snap On. Trust stuff, usually CP

You can service stuff from other companys just as well and get service parts kits, the quality of the actual ratchets and how well they work when using them, really shows if you are really using them that much, you couldnt give me 10 craftsman ratchets for one of my SK finetooth ratchets, anyone who's used one of mine instantly notices why I stick to em, its just a shame that SK has had trouble recently, so my snapon ratchet collection will be increasing with the addition of their finetooth ratchets also.

Z28ricer · 03-01-2011, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by codyace

Snap On Ownership
1. Use tool
2. Break it
3. Wait 3 days until Snap On guy comes around to get it (or chase around town trying to find it).
4. Yay, back in service

Our shop has no preference. It's all junk, it all breaks, and all is overpriced. We use the majority of Craftsman stuff as Sears is 5 minutes away. Then again we have 3-4 of each tool too. Specialty stuff though, Matco or Snap On. Trust stuff, usually CP

Yes while it is a bit of a pain waiting on a truck that doesnt come around often, you can get service kits for the better quality ratchets just the same, and just have the service parts swapped out when the truck comes around.

The better ratchets without a 30* swing arc just to get the next tooth click, come in very handy when you are working on things, as well as ratchets that dont break virtually every time you put a load on them.

SK finetooth, Snapon 70+ tooth ratchets, win win win, sure if you dont want to spend the $$ on their sockets, wrenches, I fully understand that, but the better ratchets I definetly find to be well worth the extra money.

tinys s14 · 03-01-2011, 02:19 PM

ima do this to my ratchets this weekend.. i broke endless ratchets but thank god for the lifetime warranty lol

HyperTek · 03-01-2011, 02:51 PM

any mods for air compressors and pneumatic tools? i got a craftsmans 3/8 air ratchet and 1/2 impact gun.

codyace · 03-01-2011, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z28ricer

Yes while it is a bit of a pain waiting on a truck that doesnt come around often, you can get service kits for the better quality ratchets just the same, and just have the service parts swapped out when the truck comes around.

The better ratchets without a 30* swing arc just to get the next tooth click, come in very handy when you are working on things, as well as ratchets that dont break virtually every time you put a load on them.

SK finetooth, Snapon 70+ tooth ratchets, win win win, sure if you dont want to spend the $$ on their sockets, wrenches, I fully understand that, but the better ratchets I definetly find to be well worth the extra money.

I'll never deny the nice specialty tools that any of the major brands have available, and sell to guys like they need them as bad as a blowjob from Jennifer Anniston. Truth of the matter is, not a single one of them are really 'any' better at accomplishing a job than the lower end Snap On/Craftsman/Mac stuff. I'm not much of a tool nerd, so it' shard to really understand what I mean. At a big truck shop, durability is king, not so much ease of use....when you're hanging off the end of a ratchet, you want it to not puke all over the place...the extra clicks are nice, but not a selling point.

Don't get me wrong, I love my offset handle, angle head, long handle, Snap on 3/8" ratchet...but my 'equivlent' Craftsman that I have at the house works 95% of it.

Z28ricer · 03-06-2011, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by codyace

At a big truck shop, durability is king, not so much ease of use....when you're hanging off the end of a ratchet, you want it to not puke all over the place...the extra clicks are nice, but not a selling point.

Don't get me wrong, I love my offset handle, angle head, long handle, Snap on 3/8" ratchet...but my 'equivlent' Craftsman that I have at the house works 95% of it.

Weird, because go figure, generally every upgrade for axle shafts for a car, goes to a higher spline count, same with transmission parts.

Its not just extra room when you REALLY need it, not just being able to use the ratchet, instead of having to grasp the extension, or socket to get it to grab the next click because you dont have enough tension on the fastener yet, the extra splines result in extra strength also.

180wanabe1 · 03-06-2011, 02:02 PM

Snap on 80 tooth ratchets for the ftmfw!!! i've gone through plenty of craftsman ratchets but have never broken a snap on 80 tooth. also there ratcheting action is awesome.

axiomatik · 03-07-2011, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z28ricer

Weird, because go figure, generally every upgrade for axle shafts for a car, goes to a higher spline count, same with transmission parts.

Its not just extra room when you REALLY need it, not just being able to use the ratchet, instead of having to grasp the extension, or socket to get it to grab the next click because you dont have enough tension on the fastener yet, the extra splines result in extra strength also.

On an axle, all of the splines are engaged simultaneously. In a ratchet, only a few splines are engaged by the ratcheting mechanism.

K_style · 03-07-2011, 03:57 PM

Guess I haven't used my Craftsman Ratchet much.. still feels like new...
But yes I will try this..

THanks !

codyace · 03-07-2011, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z28ricer

Weird, because go figure, generally every upgrade for axle shafts for a car, goes to a higher spline count, same with transmission parts.

Its not just extra room when you REALLY need it, not just being able to use the ratchet, instead of having to grasp the extension, or socket to get it to grab the next click because you dont have enough tension on the fastener yet, the extra splines result in extra strength also.

Again you can sell it how you want. We have both. I can't say either works any better than the rest when it comes to generic tools. It's just like Ford vs Chevy debates IMO.

josephin510 · 03-07-2011, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by codyace

Snap On Ownership
1. Use tool
2. Break it
3. Wait 3 days until Snap On guy comes around to get it (or chase around town trying to find it).
4. Yay, back in service

Our shop has no preference. It's all junk, it all breaks, and all is overpriced. We use the majority of Craftsman stuff as Sears is 5 minutes away. Then again we have 3-4 of each tool too. Specialty stuff though, Matco or Snap On. Trust stuff, usually CP

Our mac and snap on guys only comes on tuesdays but you are exactly right after we break are snap on mac tools we pull out the craftmans and they work fine. As far as specialty tools I hardly invest in them unless its well worth my time and money.

chiboy002 · 03-07-2011, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by codyace

Snap On Ownership
1. Use tool
2. Break it
3. Wait 3 days until Snap On guy comes around to get it (or chase around town trying to find it).
4. Yay, back in service

Our shop has no preference. It's all junk, it all breaks, and all is overpriced. We use the majority of Craftsman stuff as Sears is 5 minutes away. Then again we have 3-4 of each tool too. Specialty stuff though, Matco or Snap On. Trust stuff, usually CP

snap on is the fucking best. I love my 200pc
plus its easier on the palm than craftsman any day of the year

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATLspeed

....sooo gonna do this. Any thing against doing this to a torque wrench?

i wouldn't do it since torque wrenches are so sensitive to things like dropping and such, i wouldn't risk it.

02-26-2011, 08:05 PM	#1
Farkel Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: B̷͈͇̠̗͔̼̝̓̎͛͂A̧̡̠̩̭̹̼̭͔̎̃̈́̍͂ͬͬ̚Y̯̜ͨ̒̾̽͊͘ ͈͙̰ Age: 35 Posts: 487 Trader Rating: (11) Feedback Score: 11 reviews	How-To Service your Craftsman Ratchet - EASY! I made a quick guide on how to do this easy service job... makes a noticeable difference! If you're bored and have some spare time, try it out. How to Service Your Craftsman Ratchet \| GRAND MIGHTY __________________ ★ ★ GRANDMIGHTY.COM ★ ★

02-26-2011, 08:28 PM	#2
Hywarp161 Leaky Injector Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Long Island NY Age: 50 Posts: 105 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	I did this to my ratchets a few years ago, makes a nice difference. be sure to use a heavy grease and watch out for those first hot days as the grease does have a tendency to to ooz out. __________________

02-26-2011, 10:36 PM	#6
Irresistible Nissanaholic! Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,994 Trader Rating: (21) Feedback Score: 21 reviews	I should go get my ratchets replaced under the lifetime warranty, and do this right when I get my new ones to make them last a little longer... Thanks. __________________ GLEAM//★☆Street Dancer☆★ IG: streetdncr // tumblr: steve-strtdncr

02-26-2011, 11:09 PM	#8
MisawaJason Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: South Korea Age: 40 Posts: 1,320 Trader Rating: (13) Feedback Score: 13 reviews	pretty cool little write up man. Thanks. Gonna have to do this to my tools when I get home __________________ 1 year tour in Korea = no car. FML.

02-27-2011, 07:31 PM	#10
ATLspeed Zilvia Addict Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Eden, MD, USA Age: 38 Posts: 921 Trader Rating: (14) Rides Gallery: ATLspeed Feedback Score: 14 reviews	....sooo gonna do this. Any thing against doing this to a torque wrench? __________________ 93 s13 Vert - 2jz/cd009 -- parted/sold 95 Supra Turbo

02-26-2011, 08:48 PM	#4
Lees_Garage Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Southern CA Posts: 1,190 Trader Rating: (66) Feedback Score: 66 reviews	I like it! Thanks for sharing.

02-26-2011, 10:06 PM	#5
MadScientist Zilvia.net Advertiser Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: NOLA Age: 48 Posts: 1,972 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	Shweeeeeet... just did this.

02-26-2011, 10:50 PM	#7
theriver43 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Omaha Posts: 18 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	I used to work at sears. The ratchets are greased from the factory, but its very thin and very very little. When we'd rebuild them for warranty we always used a thicker grease and a wee bit more. It does wonders.

02-27-2011, 07:17 PM	#9
Tantwoforty Nissanaholic! Join Date: May 2009 Location: Riverside ca Age: 35 Posts: 1,890 Trader Rating: (20) Feedback Score: 20 reviews	i swap mine out first sign of it not feeling nice.. my local sears is nice to me lol

02-27-2011, 07:33 PM	#11
zero.counter Nissanaholic! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: At work Posts: 2,003 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Very nice article. Thanks for the heads up! Works like a dream now.

02-27-2011, 08:10 PM	#12
Pure_JDM Zilvia Addict Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denham Springs, LA Posts: 814 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	Very nice share... love it when people are actually contributing positively to the internet... HAHA. I'm gonna give this a whirl tomorrow. I find it odd now that I think about it. Of all the shit I've taken apart, I've yet to take a socket wrench apart... lol

03-01-2011, 02:16 AM	#13
Inland180 Nissanaholic! Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Southern Cali Posts: 1,763 Trader Rating: (21) Feedback Score: 21 reviews	Good find! easy stuff __________________ PTE6262 Full-Race Twin Scroll FTW! Feedback LINK

03-01-2011, 08:26 AM	#14
godrifttoday Post Whore! Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: los angeles Age: 41 Posts: 3,120 Trader Rating: (82) Feedback Score: 82 reviews	For the time spent doing that... Well... Just go to your local sears and get a new one ( remanufactured) the life time warranty __________________ NEED Bolt kits for your car?

03-01-2011, 08:52 AM	#15
axiomatik Post Whore! Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: ATL Posts: 4,702 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Why replace an otherwise fine ratchet? We need to get out of the disposable society mentality. __________________

03-01-2011, 10:40 AM	#17
Z28ricer Zilvia Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Age: 42 Posts: 231 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	How to service your craftsman ratchet in 5 easy steps ! Step 1. grasp ratchet Step 2. Walk over to the nearest trash can Step 3. Extend arm, placing hand with ratchet above the trash receptacle Step 4. Release Step 5. Go buy a snapon, sk finetooth, or other quality ratchet.

03-01-2011, 02:19 PM	#21
tinys s14 Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Queens, NY Age: 34 Posts: 1,030 Trader Rating: (12) Feedback Score: 12 reviews	ima do this to my ratchets this weekend.. i broke endless ratchets but thank god for the lifetime warranty lol __________________

03-01-2011, 02:51 PM	#22
HyperTek Post Whore! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cali Posts: 13,224 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	any mods for air compressors and pneumatic tools? i got a craftsmans 3/8 air ratchet and 1/2 impact gun. __________________ Keep it Classy

03-06-2011, 02:02 PM	#25
180wanabe1 Zilvia Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: wa Posts: 188 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	Snap on 80 tooth ratchets for the ftmfw!!! i've gone through plenty of craftsman ratchets but have never broken a snap on 80 tooth. also there ratcheting action is awesome.

03-07-2011, 03:57 PM	#27
K_style Post Whore! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 7,666 Trader Rating: (63) Rides Gallery: K_style Feedback Score: 63 reviews	Guess I haven't used my Craftsman Ratchet much.. still feels like new... But yes I will try this.. THanks !