mechanics - what size sockets are used on tractor-trailers - class 8

[wild cowboy]

I am especially wondering about all of the large socket sizes that the big rigs use, both in standard and metric - I am buying a friend new tools and want to surprise him with the good stuff he can't afford, but I want buy to individual sockets - as I know a cheap surplus source, but their are no sets.

 

[wild cowboy]

any guys work on big trucks for a living who know the answer? - it's for a Christmas gift to a young mechanic who is gonna big working on big rigs.

 

[e30bradley]

The shop I worked in supplied all the huge sockets.

 

[FOCUS.FREAK]

Like axle sockets and such? For me I work on school busses. 33mm for lug nuts and for some front hubs it's 1 5/8. I'll have to check at work tomorrow. We have a few. Most of the stuff I use is just normal everyday stuff. I'm 36mm fuel filter sockets also for oil filters.

-Jordan

 

[rob0781]

How big are you talking? On a daily basis i find 1 1/8, 1 1/4 , 1 5/16 are pretty common they aren't really huge but im not really sure what you mean by big

 

[chris142]

Often they just use more bolts instead of bigger ones.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Up to 1-1/2" easily (Lugs, torque arms and CAT drain plugs). Daily use for 15/16" through 1-1/4" impact sockets.

Shop should provide 3/4" drive sockets and larger wrenches, but if there are a good amount of technicians, those get left on jobs regularly, to the point it's worth buying your own set.

Cripe Distributing has a great selection of larger stuff, but I had to buy a Sunex 1/2" drive 1-1/2" impact socket on Amazon. Chrome stuff is much easier (and cheaper) to find.

 

[MetallicA]

You have to be more specific on the type of work being performed and the type of vehicles being worked on. Sockets larger than say 1 3/8" are usually supplied by the shop. Sockets used to take yolks off and to dismantle wheel ends can vary. Also wheel end sockets can be 6 or 8 point.

 

[mopar01]

My sets go to 36 mm , and 1 1/2. Deep and shallow. As everybody said shops usually supply bigger sockets. Id think after 42 years in a shop youd have an idea of what he would need.

 

[Jon.R]

Focus Freak , sounds like you work on a fleet of IC buses also ?

 

[Jon.R]

Like axle sockets and such? For me I work on school busses. 33mm for lug nuts and for some front hubs it's 1 5/8. I'll have to check at work tomorrow. We have a few. Most of the stuff I use is just normal everyday stuff. I'm 36mm fuel filter sockets also for oil filters.

-Jordan

Focus . Freak , sounds like you work on a fleet of IC Buses also ?

 

[CNGsaves]

Emmer Some Bigens !!

OP . . . you might just go for 3/4" drive set with honker sockets >1" to 2". I've seen nice Proto sets on CL for $150 to $200 that would do the job.

 

[wild cowboy]

My sets go to 36 mm , and 1 1/2. Deep and shallow. As everybody said shops usually supply bigger sockets. Id think after 42 years in a shop youd have an idea of what he would need.

I haven't been in a shop for 42 years, my 46 years of wrenching includes early teen age years long before I was in a shop, also, my experience working on big rigs and heavy equipment is too limited to know the most common sizes in that area of mechanics.

Most of my experience is in GM and Japanese cars & trucks with a smattering of everything else. Air conditioning and ECU/ECM repair are my specialties.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I have 3/4" hand drive and impacts in metric and sae. 26mm to 38mm and 7/8" to 1 1/2" impacts.. My hand drive sets go beyond these sizes, but I seldom use them...

I would suggest impact sockets for the best bang for the buck... One other thing I would suggest is getting the sae sizes (and metric counterparts) down to 3/4"... reason being, I disfavor adapters on an impact wrench, and would rather shear some of those old bolts off rather than fart around unscrewing a rusty old bolt that should be replaced anyway.. 3/4" impact is a good partner to have..... especially when teamed up with the proper sockets....

I'll reserve the torque multipliers and 1" drive whopper toolies , and OTC axel nut sockets for another post.. We would end up straying toooo far from your original question on 3/4" drive

 

[wild cowboy]

since I am buying the sockets as singles, I don't want to waste money on sizes that never get used - so if you never see 1-15/16" - that would be good information to know

 

[BDT/NWMN]

since I am buying the sockets as singles, I don't want to waste money on sizes that never get used - so if you never see 1-15/16" - that would be good information to know

Ya,,, for 3/4" drive, stop at 1-1/2" on the sae..... make sure to include a 1-5/16";;; it will get used....

sizes larger than 1-1/2" are needed for removing the retaining nuts for transmission and differential yokes.. Well, I have these whoppers in 3/4"drive, but,, unless the feller is an Independent Mechanic; those should be shop supplied, along with the pullers and seal installers....