How do you lube ratcheting wrenchs?

Or do you at all? I have the standard Gearwrench style. When I searched I found one post where someone talks about submerging them in air tool oil overnight. makes sense but man would that be messy for a long time after. Is it even necessary? Anyone have any tricks they use?

I have Snap on ratchet wrenches. I just put some motor oil in mechanisam and that is all. It needs to be oiled a litlle but not swamped with oil.

How do you get it into the mechanism though?

Sparkfarmer said:

How do you get it into the mechanism though?

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using a light oil (like mentioned), just put it near the edge of mechanism and manually "ratchet" the wrench. It will go in with a little effort.. I do *not* recommend putting it on there and using any sort of air blast. Light oils will seap into the crevase just fine, but not grease (which you don't want in there anyways)

It's messy, but it's an easy way to do it and will keep them functioning for a long time. Sure, you use a bit more than you want to but the other option is an unlubricated (or not lubed enough) ratcheting mechanism, and we all know how those fare over time.

Another option is to use a cup of oil and submerge the racheting edge and then do the same as above, move the mechanism. Take the wrench out and thoroughly wipe it down. Oil will still be coming out of there for a while but again, it beats having nothing in there.

Oh, and an aerosol-style can of lubricant should be able to get in there as well without much trouble. Point and shoot.

However, some believe that they don't really need it and only do so when the wrench jams, which is a bit lazy IMO.

Once a yr I just dip all of mine into a jar of tri flow let them sit for a min or two and then wipe them down. Works for me.

***** juice, lubricates your tool, and makes it smell good too...

Thanks for the useful suggestions guys... you know who you are.

Not sure if it's the right thing but I use trans fluid. Dip all of the ratcheting end in a small containiner. Come back from a break and wipe them down.

Search on this and you'll find many a thread, people are also fans of "RLL", the "Red Lube of Love", which is really Permatex Engine Assembly Lube. Don't think you can sneak it into an assembled ratchet as easily as an ATF dunking, though.