Quote Originally Posted by Matt167
I hear about a lot of complaints about snap on ratchets, my auto teacher
even warned me about them, because they slip.

they have a fine tooth gear set which is really smooth compared to others but
is weaker, because there isn't much for the ratchet stops to catch on. what this means is the $5 walmart special ratchet, COULD have a stronger gear set. I don't know because I have never had the chance to test a snap on ratchet like that. I'v broken 2 of the $5 cheepo's but I tried to use them w/ a 6' pipe as a breaker bar to get a lugnut loose, so they were a ubused. the lugnut was stuck bad.
I seriously doubt the $5.00 special would have a stronger gear set. The direction switch on the top of a ratchet is both good and bad. Just got one of the fine tooth long handled ratchet from Snap-on a couple weeks ago. It has the big handle on it, works great for us geezers with hands that operate at bit less then perfect!!!!!

Next time Matt, use a breaker bar or jump up to a 1/2 drive set up and a longer breaker bar.... Cheater bars usually cause more damage then they could ever fix!!!! A bit of PB Blaster sprayed on the lugs and either an impact wrench or a long 1/2" breaker bar and a bit of patience would have got the lug off just fine!!!!