Milwaukee ratchet slipping under load: a simple fix!

Howdy guys and gals. Do you have a Milwaukee M12 Fuel ratchet that turns freely when you pull the trigger, but stalls and vibrates without rotating as soon as you put it on a tight fastener? If so, this video will help you break down your ratchet, clean it up and get it working properly again. Thanks for watching!

Пікірлер: 86

  • @joehall94
    @joehall946 ай бұрын

    Thanks for the knowledge. Milwaukee wanted over $100 to repair my ratchet that was only 4 years old. They completely disassembled it and sent it back to me in a Ziplock bag disassembled! Motor ran fine, anvil would rotate, but slipped under a load. I explained all that when I sent it in for service. Milwaukee's warranty is only good if you have the original sales receipt. Thanks again - easy fix.

  • @geoffluparello
    @geoffluparello9 күн бұрын

    Grest video, Thank you!!!!

  • @chemicalspore
    @chemicalspore8 ай бұрын

    Did this as you instructed, worked like a charm. I could stop the anvil with my hand, now it turns no problem.

  • @AllThingsMech

    @AllThingsMech

    8 ай бұрын

    Glad to hear it! Thanks for watching!

  • @KYLECTR
    @KYLECTR2 жыл бұрын

    I was fretting as my 3/8 extended ratchet is slipping but you’ve put my mind at rest here and I’m going to strip mine as you’ve shown so thank you, great video 👌

  • @park9912
    @park99122 жыл бұрын

    Super helpful my m12 fuel 1/4 had just started doing that last week i was getting worried.

  • @christianbyron5419
    @christianbyron5419 Жыл бұрын

    I've just sent my ratchet back to Milwaukee for repair. Having watched this video I feel silly as I prefer to fix things myself. A brilliant video

  • @AllThingsMech

    @AllThingsMech

    Жыл бұрын

    You still might want to break it down when you get it back and clean it out. I've heard from several people that Milwaukee absolutely loads the ratchets full of grease when they are serviced. Could be a fluke, but still worth a look once you get it back. Thanks for watching!

  • @DrifterDavid
    @DrifterDavid9 ай бұрын

    Got mine back twice from milwaukee for fixing this problem and both times i got it back just as bad as I sent it. Did this and while its not like it was new it helped immensely. Thanks for the heads up!

  • @deplorablebristolian
    @deplorablebristolian2 жыл бұрын

    My new ....ish (6 month old) 1/2" ratchet is doing exactly what you have just shown me how to fix. Thank you ever so much. I was getting my knickers in a twist because I've hardly used it and was thinking I'd bought a lemon.

  • @p.n.1644
    @p.n.16447 ай бұрын

    This video was just what I needed to get my ratchet, many thanks

  • @MrJHoop
    @MrJHoop Жыл бұрын

    just watched this and followed what you said and my ratchet is now spot on no slipping unless i hold it tight saved me from buying a new one 👌🏼

  • @dariusjonsson2358
    @dariusjonsson2358 Жыл бұрын

    the purpose of those ball bearings on the anvil is to make friction. its like holding your fingers on a socket while you ratchet so it has enough resistance to click to the next tooth

  • @NoahWL1
    @NoahWL1 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much for your insight on this. I was so upset my essentially new M12 FUEL ratchet was slipping. I thought it was worn out already (with barely an hour of trigger time over its ~1 year lifetime!) and I feared what that meant for my other Milwaukee tools. I love to tinker with stuff, but I buy my tools so I can tinker efficiently and get the job done - not to tinker with the tools! Maintenance is one thing and I treat my tools carefully, but I am disappointed I have to strip my ratchet down so early. It absolutely has seen grease a oil, which is my own fault, and seems like a design oversight to me, but thanks to your video at least now I know better. I am relieved I don't have to ship this back just to have it break again out of warranty next year. Thank you!

  • @coldwe
    @coldwe Жыл бұрын

    I used to be a tool tech and repair power tools. You are spot on with what you say and the amount of grease is exactly right. Good job.

  • @AllThingsMech

    @AllThingsMech

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you Derek. I'm just a wrench turner who tweaks his own tools so that they work correctly for my needs, but hearing from someone who's more experienced than I am is very reassuring. I was fairly confident that I got this one right but again, good to have that confirmation from a more experienced source. Thank you for the comment, I sincerely appreciate it!

  • @Pantherforlife
    @Pantherforlife Жыл бұрын

    Excellent video, thanks for showing this.

  • @hectorcastilla5913
    @hectorcastilla5913 Жыл бұрын

    Worked like a charm, thanks for the video!!!

  • @danielpospisil1192
    @danielpospisil11926 ай бұрын

    I would say the most useful video on the channel!!! I ♥spent three days deciding which ratchet to buy for my workshop and this convinced me that I will not buy any Dewalt, Ridgid, Makita or Snap-on .. Simple construction, I hope also quality material and available original parts at a decent price. It would definitely help rubber cover shoe for the ratchet head, but I don't know if the model I have chosen is made. I am considering an M12 FIR or FHIR with a long neck. What do you say ? I service small tractors and garden equipment, sometimes a car. I mainly repair hand-held electric gasoline tools and chainsaws. But I don't need a ratchet for that.😀 Have a nice day and thanks for the video! ☀

  • @VenomReapzHD
    @VenomReapzHD2 жыл бұрын

    This man just saved me so much frustration, I was about to send mine in for warranty to get my 3rd one but did this and it works great now! Mine have been seeing lots of gear oil and transmission fluid, going to be taking a bit more care now that I know lube is no good for it.

  • @AllThingsMech

    @AllThingsMech

    2 жыл бұрын

    Glad it helped you out! I was having all kinds of issues with mine until I looked up the service manual...I was pretty surprised to see absolutely no lubrication requirements for the yoke/pawl. I thought for sure it had to be a mistake, but as soon as I cleaned all of the built up sludge out of mine it started working perfectly again. Thanks for watching!

  • @calfeggs
    @calfeggs7 ай бұрын

    Nice! I was concerned mine took a dump, but it got thoroughly soaked in oil and is basically brand new turned into a fancy vibrator. I'll be cleaning it out real soon.

  • @5cylinder
    @5cylinder10 ай бұрын

    Thanks for the great video.. Only issue I had was the “stop” pin that you mentioned was pressed in place fell out on mine and got lost . I had to fabricate one..

  • @AllThingsMech

    @AllThingsMech

    10 ай бұрын

    Milwaukee tends to change their designs on the fly, so it's possible that yours was made slightly differently. Glad you were able to get it sorted out though.

  • @mgh2556
    @mgh25562 жыл бұрын

    Just purchased and received a factory reconditioned 2557 3/8 ratchet. Tool looked new, but upon testing it for the first time, found this vibration issue out of the box when tool was under a slight load. Followed this procedure and found more grease in the anvil and crankcase that a wheel bearing. It was full of grease. After a thorough cleaning and inspection (all parts were new), re-assembled per this procedure and Boom.. All is well.

  • @damon323
    @damon323 Жыл бұрын

    Great video man, thank you!

  • @jimpierro616
    @jimpierro6164 ай бұрын

    I just got my ratchet back from Milwaukee for the second time for the same problem. They have now sent me a new one. Right out of the box doing the same thing. I did buy my ratchet on Amazon, and they honored the warranty. I even had to upload the per proof of purchase. Maybe I just got lucky but now I’m going to clean the grease out of the head. I was suspicious of that but didn’t want to do it until I had Milwaukee try to fix it. Thanks for the video. Good job.

  • @AllThingsMech

    @AllThingsMech

    4 ай бұрын

    Yeah, I'm thinking that Milwaukee may have lightened up on their warranty policy a little bit in the years since my last interaction with them - I've had a couple people tell me over the last year or so that they're accepting Amazon purchases for warranty work now, which is great! Glad you were able to get it replaced, hopefully cleaning it up a little will get it back to 100% for you. Thanks for watching, much appreciated!

  • @bradg8682

    @bradg8682

    4 ай бұрын

    I cleaned and greased mine up gunna try this one thanks man

  • @EagleH2OfallPro
    @EagleH2OfallPro2 жыл бұрын

    not a lot of views but great video. I like your style. keep rippin

  • @AllThingsMech

    @AllThingsMech

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks brother, much appreciated. 🤘

  • @johne9341
    @johne93412 жыл бұрын

    I hope all is well with you JB. I made it twelve minutes in to your video explaining what has been happening when the video suddenly went "private". Good luck and know you have a community out here to share with.

  • @AllThingsMech

    @AllThingsMech

    2 жыл бұрын

    Not sure why that happened John, let me see what's going on. I was messing with another older video due to a copyright claim and might have accidentally changed something. Thanks for the kind words my friend.

  • @vwaudiwelder
    @vwaudiwelder7 ай бұрын

    This is freaking awesome. I have the old school ratchet with the adorable and quite svelte head vs this fuel THICKNESS and a few years ago bought an entire new pawl assembly to address this same issue as I thought it wore out after near daily use. Once again this non rotational vibration has returned and I am going to clean it all out instead as shown here. ONE OTHER THING: Just now my LED light would stay on permanently so I cracked my unit wide open, blew everything out with air, sprayed the mini PCB and most importantly the plunger switch itself and now the light shuts off within about 20 seconds of activation. HAPPY WRENCHING FOLKS!

  • @juangarcia6909
    @juangarcia6909 Жыл бұрын

    It works tanks you save me money

  • @RussellGilder
    @RussellGilder Жыл бұрын

    Explain why mine started slipping after it got covered in oil. Good to have it sorted out now.

  • @Hornblas189
    @Hornblas18911 ай бұрын

    Thank you buddy!

  • @amaralkhalidy2553
    @amaralkhalidy2553 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you 👍

  • @gamingamericanguy6242
    @gamingamericanguy6242 Жыл бұрын

    This explains why my new one did this after accidentally spilling gear lube on it 😂

  • @AllThingsMech

    @AllThingsMech

    Жыл бұрын

    Happens to all of us, apparently. 🤣

  • @edgualdino628
    @edgualdino628 Жыл бұрын

    I cleaned mine twice of all oils an grease still does it swapped out 4 mm bearings an still does it i push forward or backwards it works ??? does anything else wear out I give up on it any ideas will help thank you

  • @AllThingsMech

    @AllThingsMech

    Жыл бұрын

    Without seeing it in person, unfortunately I don't have any other tips. How old is your ratchet? I know that some time in the last year Milwaukee redesigned the internals of these ratchets and made them much less reliable. If you have a newer one, the design itself could be the issue. If it's an older ratchet, its possible that some of the parts are worn beyond spec. You might be able to get a rebuild kit for the head and replace the worn parts, which should hopefully solve the problem.

  • @stuartipsen726
    @stuartipsen726 Жыл бұрын

    Do the teeth wear out if it's slipping for a long time? I've had this issue for a fair while but only just thought of looking for a fix, I was about ready to send it off for warranty. If the teeth have worn is it worth replacing the head kit? Good video, thanks a lot 👍

  • @AllThingsMech

    @AllThingsMech

    Жыл бұрын

    They certainly can. The heat treatment on the pawl and ratchet are usually pretty good, but depending on how hard it's used they could wear down. It can't hurt to try cleaning it out first though - best case is that the slipping stops and you've got a free fix, worst case is that you need to buy the rebuild kit. Any questions let me know and I'll try to give you a hand. Good luck!

  • @-ssch
    @-ssch Жыл бұрын

    Mine is brand new and it has never worked on load 😢

  • @peteolson4287
    @peteolson42876 ай бұрын

    I bought a new head from Milwaukee and it came packed with grease. It doesn't work. I will try this.

  • @smitty2jones
    @smitty2jones3 ай бұрын

    How is the snap on ratchet made differently than this? It actually has a recessed grease zerk in the head and you pump it full of grease until it oozes out.

  • @AllThingsMech

    @AllThingsMech

    3 ай бұрын

    Great question. I don't own a Snap On ratchet so I can't speak for how they are made; all I know is what the service information from Milwaukee says, and it shows no lubrication points in the head of this model. My guess (and this is total speculation) is that Snap On uses a different type of friction mechanism that exerts more drag on the pawl, which allows it to still function properly when packed full of grease. I'd love to get my hands on one to tear it down and look at the differences, but that's an investment I won't make any time soon since I'm not turning wrenches full time anymore.

  • @luvdirt
    @luvdirt2 жыл бұрын

    Will this be the same procedure for the 1/4” extended reach ratchet?

  • @AllThingsMech

    @AllThingsMech

    2 жыл бұрын

    I don't have any of the 1/4" ratchets so I'm not 100% sure, but knowing what I know about milwaukee's stuff, I would imagine that the setup is very similar, if not identical (although probably scaled down a bit).

  • @TacticalThib
    @TacticalThib11 ай бұрын

    I actually did the total opposite and greased mine with some really expensive 🫰 high temp grease 😂

  • @MarcoS-yd9pf
    @MarcoS-yd9pf Жыл бұрын

    Interesting video. Had mine for about a year before it did this. Sent it in for warranty. They said unrepairable and sent me a new one. New one did the exact same thing after using it 3 times. So I sent that one in. Milwaukee said the same thing again and sent another one. Didn't even try to use the new one on anything and it already doesn't have power by holding an extension with my hand. Not sure what the problem is with these, but it's pretty annoying at this part. Just to put in perspective, I was using the ratchet on a 10mm bolt on a brand new vehicles bumper, so not much force needed at all. Not sure if I should take this 3rd one apart and look for excess grease from the factory or not

  • @AllThingsMech

    @AllThingsMech

    Жыл бұрын

    I would if it were me, especially if this is your third one. It's a good design overall, but they are manufactured overseas by folks not making much money, who probably are far more worried about speed rather than putting a precise amount of lubricant on the gears. I would clean it out, put a very light coating of grease on the pawl, and give it another shot. It will still slip if you really push it (by design), but you'll gain quite a bit more torque without the excess grease.

  • @MarcoS-yd9pf

    @MarcoS-yd9pf

    Жыл бұрын

    @All Things Mechanical hmm. Tried it. Didn't make a difference. I did notice that they got rid of the ball bearings you had in your video. There were no springs in it either. Was 2 smaller cylinder shaped metal pieces in lieu of the balls. I'm wondering if that's part of the problem...

  • @AllThingsMech

    @AllThingsMech

    Жыл бұрын

    @Marco S that's interesting. That sounds a lot like how the older non-fuel ratchets were set up, albeit with a lot more of those cylinders. I still have mine, and it slipped constantly when I was using it. Been in the drawer a long time now because of that. Sucks that Milwaukee seems to revise their designs every couple of years to make them worse. 😕

  • @dashofawesome64
    @dashofawesome64 Жыл бұрын

    Thing is. Its a good thing if it all gets lubed. Problem is the teeth sizes x the thickness of the grease that fucks it up. With such small teeth's. A really fine oil is best. Cause its fast moving maybe like sewing oil.

  • @AllThingsMech

    @AllThingsMech

    Жыл бұрын

    Agreed. I run it dry most of the time, but especially during hotter months I'll drop a little synthetic 5w20 in there to keep it running cool. Without that, it tends to get hot and bind up a little if I'm working outside in really hot weather and/or direct sunlight.

  • @doctorzvingo9321

    @doctorzvingo9321

    Жыл бұрын

    i use thinned lithium grease by the 5w30 for not come outside easy and work with minimum friction, slips on a hand but works best on the fasteners. im guy who puts extra grease in everything lol

  • @joeyrangel228
    @joeyrangel228 Жыл бұрын

    Would not having the ball bearing on the anvil make it not work?

  • @AllThingsMech

    @AllThingsMech

    Жыл бұрын

    If you're referring to the bearing on the end of the square drive portion, then no. That is only there to keep sockets attached - without it, your sockets will fall off easily and it'll be a pain to use, but not detrimental to the function of the ratchet. The two smaller bearings/springs inside the mechanism are critical though, without those the plate won't stay in alignment or remain tight up against the housing, and nothing will work correctly. Not for long, anyway.

  • @itzkik2067
    @itzkik20673 ай бұрын

    Quick question isnt better to replace the anvil assembly?

  • @AllThingsMech

    @AllThingsMech

    3 ай бұрын

    Not if there isn't any damage to it. If it's just an over-lubrication issue, this fix is free. There's no need to spend money on parts if it isn't required.

  • @yourpasstime
    @yourpasstime Жыл бұрын

    Did this and problem still exists. Crank spins but under load the anvil doesn’t spin. Anyone else run into this issue?

  • @AllThingsMech

    @AllThingsMech

    Жыл бұрын

    Are you running any grease at all, or is the anvil assembly dry? I ended up putting a small amount of Lubriplate 105 on mine because we had a triple digit heat wave, and working outside with the ratchet in the sun it actually got hot enough that the yoke and ears expanded and started to bind a little. Kind of an extreme case, but even with that tiny bit of grease, mine will slip a little. These things really don't like lube on the gear teeth. If yours is dry and it still slips, the teeth on the anvil and/or yoke might be worn enough to need replacement.

  • @lthibault
    @lthibault10 ай бұрын

    Very useful thanks! Just a reinforcement, the clip must be strong and one might have to move the clip and the top parts until they’re really well sandwiched 😂

  • @brianwelsh5424
    @brianwelsh54245 ай бұрын

    Tried this. Didn't fix issue. Same issue persists

  • @TheTuneAce
    @TheTuneAce2 ай бұрын

    How did Milwaukee/home Depot find out that you didn't buy that tool from an authorized retailer?

  • @AllThingsMech

    @AllThingsMech

    2 ай бұрын

    They asked me for a receipt, I provided my Amazon order info as proof of purchase. Lady on the phone straight up told me that they wouldn't honor the warranty because amazon wasn't an authorized distributor. Bear in mind this was several years ago. I've heard from multiple people that they may have changed their policy since then.

  • @TheTuneAce

    @TheTuneAce

    2 ай бұрын

    They asked for a receipt? I don't even have receipts for tools I buy from home Depot lol

  • @AllThingsMech

    @AllThingsMech

    Ай бұрын

    @TheTuneAce Home Depot wasn't involved at all here since I bought the tool on Amazon. I was talking directly to the Milwaukee CS rep on the phone.

  • @Joe-qv7jk
    @Joe-qv7jk Жыл бұрын

    I have found those picks are an excellent tool for checking for blood as I always find myself sticking my fingers with them while using excessive force when working. Also would I need to reset any codes when taking the tool apart? #hahaha #sarcasm

  • @AllThingsMech

    @AllThingsMech

    Жыл бұрын

    Heh, thanks for the chuckle Joe. I'm a grumpy bastard so I'm always in the mood for a good dose of sarcasm. 😁 I've stabbed myself with those picks more times than I'd care to admit...

  • @5.0Licks
    @5.0Licks7 ай бұрын

    Mine only lasted 3 work days… I don’t think cleaning will solve the problem😭

  • @kessler003
    @kessler0038 ай бұрын

    You have radio host voice.

  • @johnargue2977
    @johnargue297710 ай бұрын

    9:06 removing the crank

  • @FucqYoul
    @FucqYoul Жыл бұрын

    my boss seems to think your suppose to hold it upside down, and squirt the head down with wd40. i did that and it fucked my ratchet up

  • @AllThingsMech

    @AllThingsMech

    Жыл бұрын

    Nope. That's fine for mechanical ratchets but anything with electronics/motors/needle bearings can't have a liquid based lubricant on them. It migrates/wicks everywhere and gets into place it shouldn't go.

  • @cbake9440
    @cbake9440 Жыл бұрын

    Just returned mine cfor a new one.yeah I could have probably got it working again but my ratchet isn't even 2 months old an hasnt see much oil or debris.i shouldn't have to break this 250 dollar ratchet down this early for a repair.

  • @AllThingsMech

    @AllThingsMech

    Жыл бұрын

    Agreed, it shouldn't be an issue on brand new tools.

  • @yoshy4072
    @yoshy40729 ай бұрын

    Simple fix takes 22 minutes, eff off.

  • @AllThingsMech

    @AllThingsMech

    9 ай бұрын

    No, the repair process takes less than ten once you're familiar with it. Explaining everything to you and showing the process on camera takes 22 minutes. There is a difference. Still think that's too long? Look at it this way: Watching a 22 minute video and learning how to fix something yourself is a lot better than waiting two weeks to get your ratchet back when you send it off to Milwaukee for service.

  • @Miragemp5
    @Miragemp5 Жыл бұрын

    cool video

  • @DrakeKillah
    @DrakeKillah Жыл бұрын

    So i tried this with my ratchet that started slipping after loosening a single handfull of bolts that were already loose, and no luck… The pawls look fine, no wear, cleaned everything multiple times still slipping… Overpriced junk. Guess I’ll have to jump through the hoops and try to have it replaced under warranty😩

  • @AllThingsMech

    @AllThingsMech

    Жыл бұрын

    Lots of variables with these. It's possible you got a lemon (it happens). You can try to buy a rebuild kit for it and do the work yourself, or you can send it back to Milwaukee and let them do it if you don't mind being without the tool for a bit.

  • @DrakeKillah

    @DrakeKillah

    Жыл бұрын

    @@AllThingsMech I’ll see if I can get a rebuild kit. Warranty wise, I just have to send it to the supplier, but as I’ve had it for a while after the fault appeared, and I’ve been messing with it on my own, a rebuild might be less hassle 😂

  • @AllThingsMech

    @AllThingsMech

    Жыл бұрын

    At that point, yeah, I'd give it a shot yourself. 😂 I use ereplacementparts.com for most of my stuff, but feel free to source a kit wherever you can find one the cheapest. The rebuild kit part number is 42-06-2557, provided you have the same ratchet as the one I'm using in the video. Make sure you get genuine milwaukee though, the knockoff kits are trash. Ask me how I know, lol.