Broken Keyless Chuck

[ChicagoNewGuy]

Hey Everyone.
The Keyless Chuck for my 6 year old C12 seems to be broken.  When I turn the chuck it clicks and feels a little springy but the jaws seem to be stuck open as the chuck clicks and spins relatively freely.  What's surprising is that I use this drill for driving with the centrotech attachment, I rarely drill with the keyless chuck.  Anyone else experience this or have any recommendations?  Being out of warranty I assume it's not worth sending back to Festool for repair.  Would hate to blow another $78 for a new one but would like the option (the ability to drill with 1/16th inch bit is nice).

Thanks Everyone,
Imran

 

[peter halle]

Before I bought another one I would spray the heck out of it with product used for breaking loose rusty bolts and see what happens.  Put it in a shallow container and flip it around from time to time.

Peter

 

[nclemmons]

I'd try to spray with Boeshield if you have any. https://www.amazon.com/BOESHIELD-Co...UTF8&qid=1524350564&sr=8-1&keywords=boeshield+t9

 

[Birdhunter]

I use Kroil to break loose rusty bolts.

 

[RKA]

I would put a flat tipped punch on the tip of the jaw and tap it with a hammer to break the jaws loose.  Be firm but you won’t need to hit it hard.  Just enough to shock it.

 

[yetihunter]

The newer chucks have locked up on me.  Especially after cranking the trigger to open them.  What I did was attach it to the centrotec screwdriver, sprayed it with oil, and muscled it until it broke free.

If you don't have one handy (it was replaced by the same Wiha driver handle but with their power bit holder instead of the centrotec connection) then.... at your own risk.... put it on the drill, hold the sleeve, feather the trigger, switching between forward and reverse.  50/50 chance it will either break free or just plain break. 

What's stuck, btw, isn't the actual keyless chuck mechanism, but the ratchet mechanism.  It happens.

Barring that, I'd reccomend just driving down the street to Berland's and asking one of the guys at the service counter to get it loose. 

 

[Cheese]

I surmise that because you only use it for the Centrotec driver, the jaws always remain in the same position. Then add a little moisture, a little humidity, a little rain ️ and the jaws or the internal elements probably become stuck in place.

As others have said, give it a shot of WD40, Boeshield, Dyna glide or some other penetrating lubricant. Let it set for a few hours and then it’ll probably break free. A tap here, a tap there helps the process.

Time is your friend in this situation.  [big grin]

 

[ChicagoNewGuy]

Thanks folks,
Appreciate the tips and advice.  It's not actually locked or frozen per se.  The sleeve of the chuck spins freely and clicks slightly.  It also feels a little springy when spun in one direction.  The jaws are also in the most open position so there is really nothing to bang on and nothing to lubricate.  Although the sleeve spins the jaws don't close anymore.  It's possible that I over tightened it since my bit came loose and I was pissed when re-tightening it.  Temper temper.  There is a spring washer on the front end.  I may try removing that and disassemble it, at the very least to see how it works.

Thanks again

 

[six-point socket II]

Hi,

Sounds like it's stuck, kinda "locked", in the open position because it was opened "too wide", that's why the sleeve turns relatively freely.

What you should definitely try before disassembling is to grab the sleeve and give it a really, really quick and hard turn in the direction where it would close the jaws.

Here's a great illustration of what I mean:=48s

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[Brice Burrell]

Hi,

Sounds like it's stuck, kinda "locked", in the open position because it was opened "too wide", that's why the sleeve turns relatively freely.

What you should definitely try before disassembling is to grab the sleeve and give it a really, really quick and hard turn in the direction where it would close the jaws.

Here's a great illustration of what I mean:=48s

Kind regards,
Oliver

I had one of my Festool chucks get stuck all the open and I resolved the issue just as Oliver and the video suggest.

 

[ChicagoNewGuy]

Dude! That was totally it! Thanks to you and everyone else for the help.  You guys and this forum in general are awesome.