Best way to clean a ratchet (drive wrench)

[RNajarian]

I’ve got a few WW2 vintage Plomb drive wrenches (ratchets.) They are in good working condition but I would like to service them.

Any recommendations on how to clean the mechanism and any oiling/grease suggestions?

Here are a couple of photos. I’ve also got several 1/2 size wrenches.

[Geronimo '74]

Soaking it in wd-40 should get some crud out of the mechanism.

[Nostril Cheese]

Remove the screw, cover, springs and ratchet mechanism. Clean out old grease with solvent (I usually use brake cleaner). Re-fit internal components and grease them up.

There's really not much inside them, easy to clean and figure out.

[Nostril Cheese]

Here you go.. tons of videos on you tube as well, restoration.. mirror finish.. etc...

[speeder]

Good advice so far, I'd maybe use paint thinner/mineral spirits to clean innards if you can still get it or have some around. A small amount of silicone grease or any light grease on the mechanism will keep it running smoothly.

[RNajarian]

Thanks for the advice guys. One more question. . .

I’ve got a 1952 1/2” drive wrench missing one of the two screws for the front plate. Any idea where to get a new one? I’m thinking maybe a rebuild kit, but I only need one screw.

[Nostril Cheese]

Originally Posted by RNajarian

Thanks for the advice guys. One more question. . .

I’ve got a 1952 1/2” drive wrench missing one of the two screws for the front plate. Any idea where to get a new one? I’m thinking maybe a rebuild kit, but I only need one screw.

The screw should be common enough to find at a Lowe's/Home Depot, etc.. Just take it and match it up on one of those size and pitch finders in the nuts/bolts aisle.

[Tobra]

Tale the screw you have to the hardware store and ask the oldest guy working there where to find one

[fanaudical]

I have a few of these from my grandfather. The innards are easy - just remove the screw and clean/regrease as stated above. I just soaked a rag with WD-40 and used that to scrub everything external.

[dad911]

Originally Posted by RNajarian

Thanks for the advice guys. One more question. . .

I’ve got a 1952 1/2” drive wrench missing one of the two screws for the front plate. Any idea where to get a new one? I’m thinking maybe a rebuild kit, but I only need one screw.

Post a pic. Any way to measure the length and diameter? Do you have a caliper?

Otherwise bring the one you have to a hardware store, and try to match it up.

[herr_oberst]

If you have a hardware store in your area with wood floors and a potbellied stove where a few old jaspers sit around on saturday morning drinking coffee and swapping lies, take the whole ratchet there and ask if they have the proper fastener. You will find success.

[RNajarian]

Replacing it is literally a turn of the wrist. . . finding the screw is a different story.

Here are a couple of photos.

[Chocaholic]

Oh...and don’t forget to watch for that spring the takes flight and rolls under the hot water tank.

[Nostril Cheese]

Originally Posted by RNajarian

Replacing it is literally a turn of the wrist. . . finding the screw is a different story.

A good hardware store should have that. Look for cap head screws

[unclebilly]

Get your snap on guy to replace the screw and the ratchet inerds.

[unclebilly]

I have a couple of similar old snap on ratchets. One I actually bought new about 25 years ago.

[A930Rocket]

Originally Posted by RNajarian

Replacing it is literally a turn of the wrist. . . finding the screw is a different story.

Here are a couple of photos.

I have one just like yours, but I never use it. I’ll have to take some pictures.

[smadsen]

+2 on chasing the spring under the water heater. That's if you're lucky & know where it went. The problem is getting the spring in the hole, followed by the ball bearing, and holding it down while you insert the ratchet mechanism. Added 'degree of difficulty' points for accomplishing all this with fresh grease on all the tiny moving parts. Good news is you'll never have to do it again in your lifetime.

[herr_oberst]

[rusnak]

I was going to say have a machinist make one, but I didn't want to sound crazy.

My impact Snap-On has a little grease fitting. It's pretty trick. I use a very tiny grease gun and that works just like using a zerk fitting.