How To: service your craftsman vs-44808 ratchet

[elskipador]

I'll snap a pic of the Craftsman rachet I have at work that has a grease fitting built into it.

fitting?.. like a "zerk" (sp) fitting? that'd be awesome!

 

[coddswaddle]

i had no idea how deep your repair nerdishness went... you go, boyee!

 

[Charles R]

fitting?.. like a "zerk" (sp) fitting? that'd be awesome!

The bicycle guys call them a 'grease port' type fitting. Like those found on imapct guns. You use this type of grease gun.

 

[sick50ford]

I just saw this thread today for the first time.

Just finishing servicing a drawer full of ratchets!

Thanks for the help:thumbup:thumbup

 

[Charles R]

This old boy has certainly seen better days...

But that's a nifty ball type grease fitting

Notice, no 'quick release' button

and notice, no part number like they all have now.

I've been denied a warranty on an old Craftsman tool before because of that lack of part number. They'll usually let me go right in and pull the tool off the shelf. As long as it has the same number, they swap it right out. But when there's no number...

This one is in a bucket of other craftsman tools that need replacing. I'll try to get it replaced one of these days. I don't know if I'll try to fix it if they deny it though.

 

[acer66]

Maybe you swap the broken piece with one from a newer model.

 

[Charles R]

Problem is, the new models have the quick release button. In order to use a modern piece, I'd have to drill a hole for the button. But it's something to think about if they don't replace it.
I also found the other one of these we have. I knew, as I took these pics, the one I remembered wasn't broken. Maybe I'll give that one a couple squirts of grease, to make it feel better after having been left out in the mud.

 

[VFRBenny]

so this how to is for the tools instead of the bike since they rarely get any love :laughing this pictorial is for the vs-44808, but its the same for all the craftsman ratchets. you'll be amazed @ how much better the ratchet feels after this service is performed :teeth

If anyone needs help to oil/grease/service a ratchet, they should not be using one.:|

 

[Hooli]

Thread bump.

How the HELL do you sneak the cam in past the spring?! Every time I try it, the damn ball get pushed the hole in the back! rant

 

[Duffil]

use a pick or a paper clip to depress the ball/spring into the hole.

 

[Hooli]

Nvm, I worked it out. :eboy

 

[kgmoto]

Now this my friends is why I love BARF. Good people like Skippy that share their knowledge freely.

Ill be doing this to my ratchets tonite, with moly lube since I have a bunch of it right now. I can't believe craftsman doesn't lube them!

 

[Marine_R6]

No ratchets come with lube in themI have a Snap On Ratchet I paid about 110 dollars for it. Bone dry except for some oil on the inside. This will help with the life of your ratchets also. I don"t have much craftsman stuff left (Former auto mechanic) due to it was just easier to get Snap on and so on. They came to you and replaced any thing you needed right at work. Great write up though and very useful information.

 

[Wicked4Racin]

great post! the wife said she wanted to learn more about wrenching on her bike, I say start with lubing my wrenches and we go from there!! lol

 

[elskipador]

Bump, cause its winter & everybody needs a "winter project"

 

[jao]

Thank you, great winter project!

 

[NB0tt]

Damn, yet another thing I'll need to do :thumbup

 

[chugs]

Nice, eventually I will service my ratchets as well. Thanks for sharing.

 

[bruceflinch]

:thumbup

Thanks for the bump!
I was 3/4 the way through the thread before I realized it was a bump. :laughing

 

[mike54]

Some folks have been saying that if you have an issue with your craftsman tool you can exchange it at orchard or sears. That's true but the newer tools aren't the same quality as the older ones. It's way better to service or fix a balky ratchet than to trade it in these days.