WSSM said:
Problem: How do I replace the ratchet gear? The index adjustment screw has no effect and when I took things apart the gear is stripped where the screw contacts it.
Welcome to THR. Here's how you replace the nylon ratchet gears:
Pull the center hex index rod out
Unscrew the two phillips head screws (blue arrows) and remove cover
Remove the nylon ratchet gears but not the phillips head bolt
Drop in new ratchet gears making sure the gear teeth mesh with the threads on the phillips head bolt
Replace cover and tighten the two screws
Be sure to clean the hex index rod and place a drop of oil on your finger tip and spread it around the rod (I use any gun oil on the bench or any weight motor oil). Insert the rod from the bottom of shell plate carrier (with the spiral portion at the bottom).
Reinstall the shell plate carrier on top of the ram making sure the shell plate carrier is pushed all the way down or you'll crack the shell plate carrier when you tighten the hex bolt. Before you tighten the hex bolt, ensure that the pin attached to the primer attachment is making contact with the frame rod to shake the primer tray as the pin clicks on the notches - this clicking/shaking action helps feed the primers into station #2 under the case.
More than likely, the shell plate timing will need to be adjusted. Cycle the ram lever and bring the shell plate carrier to the bottom. If the shell plate does not click into station, use a phillips screwdriver and turn the phillips head bolt clock-wise until it does. Cycle the ram lever several times to ensure the shell plate clicks into station as the shell plate carrier approaches the bottom.
Before you begin your reloading session, cycle the ram lever to see if the shell plate carrier slides up and down smoothly and shell plate indexes properly. If not, apply a drop of oil on the center index rod with your finger tip and cycle the ram lever until it does and check the shell plate timing. Whenever the indexing operation becomes less smooth, apply some more oil on the hex rod until it does (wipe off excess oil). Properly lubing the hex index rod will also extend the life of the center nylon ratchet gear - for me, they easily last 20,000-40,000+ cycles.