Hill Engineering Wheel socket

Daniel at Ricambi America provided me with one of the Hill Engineering wheel sockets to evaluate for him. I got the impression that he hates to promote a product without some sense of assurance about it. So I got one, the one person who said in a thread a while back that such tools are not necessary if proper caution is used with a plain steel socket. Go figure.

I am impressed by quality workmanship no matter what form it takes and this tool is an example of that. Not only is it well made but it is well thought out. One aspect of it's design that causes me to make this comment is at the base of the flutes there is a rubber insert that is, while in use, in contact with the top (and most visible) domed part of the lug bolt and prevents damage of the chrome in that area. Most standard steel sockets when they are made are broached either to a shoulder that stops the socket on the top of the dome giving the possibility of damaging the chrome or all the way down causing the socket to bottom on the wheel allowing for the possibility of damage to the finish of the wheels at the area surrounding the bolts themselves.

To some people worrying about such minor details seems very nitpicky. I know that many clients are concerned about such details so I have to worry about it too. So that translates into taking lots of extra time to be cautious of many such small details and anything I can buy this cheap that will save time and reduce exposure to damaging a car (no matter in how minor a fashion) I am all for.

I have been using this socket with an air gun (something we have never done before) not only to see if the chrome plating on the bolts is damaged (no evidence of that) but also to try to damage the tool. Well it's a little early for that yet but I am still trying. I do still advocate reinstalling the bolts by hand and using a torque wrench to tighten them to the proper torque.

Now the only question is what other special tools does Hill make? I will have to investigate.