Sleeved Wheel Lug Socket

I think Hill Engineering makes a 22mm socket that is designed for this.
You can purchase from Daniel at

http://ricambiamerica.com/product_info.php?cPath=600_531&products_id=261093&osCsid=3f59be38b072147411d5eb5094d81c90

 

Mac Tools has just come out with a line of sockets that have a plastic innner or outer linner. I know you can buy one or a whole set. YOur best bet is call the local shop and ask them if they have a Mac tool rep and what day and time he comes by. or look online It think the web site is MACTOOLS.com but dont quote me on that I just bought the complete set fromt hem though. The sockets with the plastic sleave on the outside is nice in the fact that you can remove the sleve if you want.

good luck

if you can find them I will be happy to order the sockets you want from my Mac tool rep and ship the sockets out to you.

 

Note that the Hill Engineering socket (which is very nice, I have one) uses an Aluminium (it IS British, after all!) end to protect the chrome on the lug bolts, but that probably isn't as friendly to the surface of your wheel if you misalign it as a plastic cap would be. I've seen the plastic covered sockets at a local tool shop (the kind of place that sells all the Chinese stuff cheap), I don't remember if the set had 22mm or not, but you can get the whole set for less than I'd bet Mac would charge for 1 socket. And for the home mechanic, the quality should be just fine.

 

http://patchboy.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=P&Product_Code=2022MTP

I just ordered this... and it looks like you can order any other size individually, too. I haven't ordered from this company before, so I'll let you know if I run into problems with this company.

HTH.

Alex

 

OK, will do.

I actually got a set from Harbor Freight... seems like a great deal (~$29 for the kit of 9 sockets, if I remember correctly) and is of good quality. I was dissapointed to find out, though, that a 22mm socket wasn't included. Most kits do not include that size; only Griot's and that kit from Patchboy has it. Patchboy is the only place I have found online that can sell it separately. It only costs $8 for the socket, versus buying the $80 kit from Griot's just to get the 22mm.

HTH.

Alex

 

For a "quick fix" I've taken a regular deep socket. Take a plastic bag, the kind your grocery's come in, and cut the corner of the bag. Take the section you just cut and stuff it in the socket.

The plastic is thin enough to allow the socket to fit and protects the lugs from metal to metal contact with the socket..

 

There are also a lot of plastic dips that you can buy cheaply. They are designed to coat the handles of tools, but work perfectly well on sockets as well. You buy a plain 22mm socket, dip it in the plastic coating and let dry. Cheap and renewable.

 

Do you have any experience with doing this? It's not a bad idea, but my experience with those products seems that they go on pretty thick, so you'd need to use a larger socket, and hope to get the thickness of the dip right. I'd also be curious about how well it holds up, as the renewal process seems like it would be a time-consuming manual effort to remove the old plasti-dip. I'd be interested to hear of real-world usage of this and how to do it at home!

 

Why not consider the Hill Engineering socket?

I know these are expensive -- and probably more targeted to my shop-based customers than general DIY wrenches like many of us, but it is an excellent item.

http://ricambiamerica.com/product_info.php?products_id=261093

Just an idea.

 

I got the socket today, and it looks pretty good. The socket itself is thin walled, and made out of Chrome-Moly, and has a vinyl sleeve on the outside, and another plastic insert inside (to protect the head of the wheel bolt). It fits perfectly on the 355 wheel bolt, with lots of room to spare between it and the wheel opening.

Not bad for 8 bucks ($16 total inc. shipping), and looks like the company is good to deal wtih.

HTH,

Alex

 

Thanks for reporting back!

 

the problem is you need the plastic on the inside. here is the perfect solution but unfortunately they either went out of business or what, they never returned my calls.....
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