Bruce In Philly

Coupla questions...

Ratcheting Wrenches

1) Can these tools really handle the torque of say removing suspension parts without breaking?

2) What about the Harbor Frieght version? Strong enough? Only $25

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-to...set-61400.html

I just helped my friend replace the sway bars on his Touareg and besides having trouble getting a regular ratchet in there, I had to "extend" a regular wrench by looping on a 27mm monster to get the torque needed to break the bolts free. I am wondering if these ratcheting wrenches can take the torque.



Peace
Bruce in Philly

upier

I would suggest that you buy an electric impact driver. Cordless can do up to 350 ft lbs and corded ones up to 450 ft lbs.

Ben Z

How would you propose to get an impact wrench into a space too tight for a standard ratchet socket wrench?

OP: I don't know about the ones HF sells, but at $24 for a set I wouldn't expect the best quality. If it was a Snap-On or even Sears Craftsman then at least you'd get a lifetime warranty.

Clever idea looping the wrenches btw. I've always resorted to a hunk of pipe.

semicycler

The wrenches in general are great for tight spaces. But like you I worry about how much torque they can take before breaking. I have the ones with the little lever on them to change directions. Some of the larger wrenches seem to skip when applying too much torque. Nothing broken yet though. I think they are made by GearWrench.

The other style wrenches that spin in one direction only seem to be better built. No lever to change direction so less moving parts. You flip the wrench over to change direction.

kellen

Craftsman goes on sale for 30 bucks per set. Haven't put them through that much use but so far so good. Plus the lifetime warranty.

Bruizer

Sunex 9923M Metric Extra Long Double Box Flex Head Ratcheting Wrench Set, 6-Piece https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CP8DKR0..._XVCWxbGEAYJ6K
Try these, they work really well on suspension components.
I don't think Snap On makes their own. I used a set of these to put lowering springs on my wife's C4S. Had no trouble loosening any nut or bolt and could get into some really tight spots.

Bruce In Philly

Intersting.... why is my link to harbor frieght now showing Rakuten link. When the page loads, I see the HF link and then it pops to a Rakuten link?

What's up with this? Happening on my machine? Rennlist? I have adblock and noScript with Firefox. Also happens with a vanilla version of IE.

Peace
Bruce in Philly

Bruce In Philly

20 piece inch and metric on sale at Sears for $60 now..... thanx for the tip Kellen.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-20-pi...1&blockType=G1

Peace
Bruce in Philly

kellen

No problem, same set I bought.

Bruce In Philly

I really like these! But they are a bit over the top for me.... given the low frequency of work I do. Sticking a big 27" wrench looped over another ("the persuader") does it when I need it. I like the angling head.....

Tools are cool.

I am heading out to the Sears tools store now.

Peace
Bruce in Philly

captainbaker

I still use the same set of wrenches form Sears going on 30 years. The ratchet is newish.....replaced by then in the 2000's.

Use a breaker bar ( or a pipe). Looping exposes you to bloody knuckles and stripped bolts.

OKB

spray everything with pb blaster ahead of time, break with 6 point sockets and extension bars

140.6er

I have the Craftsman 117 piece Machine set for over ten years. Quality is very good but a step below the snap on stuff. I will say, the Craftsman is way good enough for me and I've been adding wrenches and sockets over the years and have a pretty big set now. I have used this set hard over the years with no fails. I would stay away from HF. A lot of their stuff is one or two time use and it breaks.

texas_maverick

And, if they end up bending just take them to ACE Hardware - they'll give you a brand new one (even if the new one is worth twice the older version).

KNS

^^ I've also noticed that you can pick up Craftsman at ACE now (which is much closer to my house than Sears). Unfortunately most of it is made in Taiwan or China now.

Some of the old Craftsman tools (1950s or earlier) are really nice. My Dad was showing me some Craftsman tools he inherited from his Dad - beautiful, precision tools made in the US from before the war. It's a shame those days are gone.