Craftsman 1/4” drive ratchet disassembly?

[BigPapa]

Any of you fellows know how to disassemble this mid-80’s Craftsman fine tooth thumb wheel 1/4” drive ratchet? There’s no snap ring or retainer ring that I can see unless there’s something under the Craftsman sticker on the back. It’s got to have something to do with the spring-loaded pin the arrow’s pointing to but I can’t figure it out. Can’t find anything on line.

 

[brucejohnson]

Scott,
I remember that set. Was supposed to be easy removal for cleaning and lube. I forget the exact sequence of events but it was very simple. The push button is the key. I don't remember if it was a "clocked" position of the head then push the button, or push and drop, or rotate thumb wheel. Any push movement in the center of the square drive when pushing the pin? Is the center button on the top moving in and out?

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

I would try pressing that pin while inline with the handle (12:00 or 6:00).

 

[BigPapa]

Well, that’s what’s wrong. The pin in the center of the drive is gummed up and doesn’t allow the detent ball to move freely. I can’t keep a socket on it. I’ll try some more with that pin.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

The pin in the center of the drive is gummed up and doesn’t allow the detent ball to move freely.

Hit it with some penetrating oil and press the detent ball with a punch to free it up.

 

[Timd32]

Here is what I could find on this one.

https://patents.google.com/patent/US4762033A/en?inventor=Kirk+K.+Chow&sort=old

 

[brucejohnson]

Looking at the great diagram Timd32 provided it looks like the spring loaded center/main shaft may be tight or frozen. Push the little pushpin and take a punch and gently coax/push the spring loaded center shaft/pin in the square drive gently through the top. May want to soak the retainer ball and center pin in the square drive with some lubricating solvent first. And watch out for the socket retainer ball bearing making a grand escape.

 

[mwilson]

Here is what I could find on this one.

https://patents.google.com/patent/US4762033A/en?inventor=Kirk+K.+Chow&sort=oldView attachment 121751View attachment 121752 View attachment 121751

Nice research!! Two thumbs up!!!!

 

[seafish]

Since it looks like that older ratchet is made from ALL metal (unlike most newer ones that incorporate some or even many plastic parts), I would first simply try soaking the head overnight in a quality penetrating oil, blow it out with compressed air through the various cracks, soak it again and then start working the mechanisms.

Chances are it'll start working without even the need to fully dissemble... which from the awesome diagram that Tim posted looks a bit like a PIA to REASSEMBLE!!

just saying!!!

 

[brucejohnson]

Here is another exploded view:

 

[brucejohnson]

Closer observation of the diagrams leads me to believe the little pushpin on the bottom of the drum is for the socket release ball function. Top button pushed in for socket release; Push little pushpin on bottom, releases ball bearing lock on shaft and spring loaded shaft returns to up position, locking ball by ramped bevel machined in shaft.
See Timd32's attachment. Numerous renditions seem to be presented. Try pushing the big button on the topside and wiggle the assembly to unlatch the drive spring from the head.
I was thinking in order to release the mechanism from the handle try to position the direction pawl adjuster in between C and CCW position, but after re-reading the attachment it seems the final rendition has the big button being pushed and releasing one side of the retaining spring, where the user manipulates drum assembly to release the other side's retaining spring out of the grove, basically a one-handed event.
Press/wiggle the drum assembly to the topside of the handle.
Hopefully something will give.

From the patent narrative:

RATCHET WRENCH WITH MANUAL
DISASSEMBLY CAPABILITY
The present invention relates to improved ratchet
wrench structures facilitating reversal and, additionally,
convenient and rapid disassembly of the wrench head
without the use of tools. More particularly, the inven
tion is directed to a ratchet wrench in which it is neces
sary merely to push a spring biased release element to
achieve decoupling of the driven core of the wrench
from the driving ring. Another important feature of the
invention is use of a low-friction spring assembly for
reversibly shifting the driving mode of the ratchet
wrench.​

 

[BigPapa]

Yes, thanks to Tim and Bruce’s finds I searched the patent number and found the page with the overly detailed description of the mechanisms. I think you’re correct, I need to push the button on the back which disengages the two anchor shaped lock “rings”, then the mechanism should come out. I felt it move the locks but I think it’s dry and gummed up enough it doesn’t want to come out. I have it soaking in some Liquid Wrench. Didn’t want to waste my good stuff.

Thanks for all the help fellows. I’ll let you know when I get it apart.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

I often find that this helps take apart stubborn metal objects - with great satisfaction!!!

https://www.hypertherm.com/en-US/hypertherm/powermax/powermax45-xp/

 

[BigPapa]

That would probably work.

It’s still soaking. Haven’t had a chance to spend any time with it. I bought my daughter a ‘95 S10 with the Automatic Road Oiler option....