Removing those two long screws in the ratchet lid

[billbuilds]

     I can't seem to get those two long bolts in my 4 speed ratchet top lid to come loose. My craftsman 3/8" drive socket is too short. A 5/32 L-key, even one in a folding set where the handle provide a fair amount of leverage won't budge them.  Any help would be greatly appreciated. Bill

[vern]

oh bill, bad news! they are hard to get out, tap them from the top with the driver in place. patience is the trick. tap the little fu*kers and try to break the threads loose. you'll need some beer and what ever else relaxes you. oh and good luck. vern

[ricochet]

At the risk of overtorquing them what I found sometime works for stubborn ones like that is to try tightening just a wee bit first, then back em out.  Just trying to break that bond that's developed .  Whatever wrench, key, whatever you use make sure it's in good shape to get a good bite at it without stripping.  Slather so'me wd40 on there too but clean off before wrenching.

ricochet

[BKACHE]

Cut an L key off and put in in a 1/4 inch socket so you can push down on it while tapping it sideways.
Install with anti-sieze.

[verson22]

hand impact driver.

[billbuilds]

     I've got a hand impact driver ok but what I don't have is a long enough 5/32 allen in socket form. Checked Snap-on online and could only find a 1/4" impact socket to the tune of about $17. Looks like it's plenty long enough though.  I guess I'll have to give the local dealer a call, I'm told that he'll be in the area tomorrow.

[billbuilds]

     Finally got em!

     My 1/4" drive sockets go down as small as 1/4" and that's it. Even if I cut off  a 5/32"  L-key I have no socket that small to drive it with. What to do...
     I realized that the bit on my Craftsman 3/8" drive by 5/32" allen head socket was 1/4" where it comes out of the socket, before it tapers to the working size. I spread the jaws on vise and used a punch to drive the bit out of the socket. It fit nicely in a 1/4" drive 1/4" socket secured by a little switch of duct tape.
     I stacked a 1/2" to 3/8" drive adapter on top of a 3/8" to 1/4" adapter so that I could spin the 1/4" drive socket with a 1/2" drive hand held impact wrench. This stacking of bit in socket-in adapter in-adapter fit pretty nicely. Several sharp wraps on the impact wrench with a 3# hammer and they brokes loose with the good twist of a 3/8" drive ratchet.  Yum, the beer tastes good.