Pliers not closing smoothly after drop - fix or replace?

Hey all, I dropped my needle-nose pliers on concrete and now they feel gritty when opening/closing. They don't lock up, but the action is rough and not smooth like before. Should I try to fix them or just get a new pair? Any advice would be appreciated.

I've had that happen before. Usually it's just dirt or a tiny burr on the pivot. Try cleaning them thoroughly with some brake cleaner or WD-40, then give them a drop of light oil. That usually smooths things out. If they're still rough after that, you might have bent the pivot slightly. Then it's time to replace them - pliers are cheap enough.

I agree with Sarah. But if you want to be precise about it, disassemble them if possible. Most pliers have a screw or rivet that can be adjusted. Clean the mating surfaces and check for any burrs. A tiny file can take care of that. Reassemble with a bit of grease on the pivot. If the action is still not smooth, the drop might have warped the handles or jaws, so replacing is the way. I'm a bit obsessive about my tools, so I'd take them apart anyway to inspect.

Yeah, what they said. But honestly, for the price of decent pliers, I'd just buy a new pair. Time is money, and messing with a pair that might never be the same is a waste. I've got a drawer full of pliers that I've 'repaired' - they end up as backups or scrap. Unless they're some high-end brand, just replace them. Also, check if they have a warranty - some brands like Channellock will replace them if they're defective.

Thanks for the tips! I'll give them a good cleaning and see if that helps. If not, I'll probably just get a new pair. I guess I was being sentimental, but you're right, Carl. They're not that expensive. I'll keep the old ones as backups.