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1/4" Wobble Extensions

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MDK22

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Joined
Apr 1, 2015
Messages
222
Location
Philadelphia, PA
I originally had Grey Pneumatic 9703WE. My one co-worker borrowed it and snapped the 4". I then told him it was off limits because they do not make it any more. 6 months later he borrows it without asking and breaks it.

They are literally the best wobble extensions I have ever seen. I need good quality that will not twist the heads off. Also to head you off at the pass Snap-On ones my coworker has been through over 8 of. The one that snapped mine has been through 2 of mine :angry: and Matco ones 4-6 times. I currently use my 6" from that same GP set to break the same bolt loose.

I need one that will work and work consistently any suggestions of a brand (Not already listed) would be appreciated. I do not care if it has to get mailed from overseas either.
 
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2

2ndGearRubber

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Mar 24, 2014
Messages
14,185
Location
Pittsburgh
gaffobohs said:
Wow that's a lot of extensions broken! Is it a case of too much force being applied?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Click to expand...



It's usually a case of: 3/8 is too bulky, not enough room for a universal joint in 1/4, "do your best to make the time".



I've used Gear-wrench chrome wobbles for the last year or so. I did break one, but I was 95% sure going in I was going to snap it. To me, even with a good warranty, wobbles are going to break, especially in 1/4 drive. Have a back-up set whenever possible.
 
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M

MDK22

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Apr 1, 2015
Messages
222
Location
Philadelphia, PA
It's usually a case of: 3/8 is too bulky, not enough room for a universal joint in 1/4, "do your best to make the time".
Click to expand...

That is exactly my problem.

Yes, the Grey Pneumatic are impact.

Yes, I am positive they do not make them anymore.

Yes, I have called 10-15 places trying to get them that said they had them including one cancelled amazon order.

I would like the new ones to be impact but, beggers can not be choosers. It is located on top of a lower turbo and I have to sneak past an upper turbo. Unless I want to loose approx 3-4 hrs every time we have to do one which is 3-4x a month I need a solution. I am willing to give gearwrench a try.
 
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jeremy v

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Jul 26, 2011
Messages
784
If worst comes to worst you could always buy a couple regular extensions and make them into wobbles yourself. It only takes about 10 minutes to make one with something like a Dremel and a mini metal file set.

I have made 5-7 of them now and I realized quickly that they still work well with much less shaping than they usually have. I easily achieve 15 degrees of angle with mine and I have a lot more meat left on the drive end for strength purposes. I don't use impact tools much, so I can't tell you how they hold up under impact use, but I have used my 1/4" drive wobbles with hand tools many times and they work like they should and I haven't broken any. If you prefer Grey Pneumatic extensions you might want to try using one of their regular 4" impact extensions (part number 944E) as your base.
 

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D

dnschmidt

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Oct 3, 2014
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Phoenix, AZ
Why not try the Harbor Freight set. You get several 1/4" drive wobbles in the set and they sell the entire set for $10 during parking lot sales. Get five uses out of one and it's paid for itself.
 
A

Adam.C

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Jan 29, 2013
Messages
1,490
Are you driving the extension with an impact gun? Normal Snap On 1/4 extensions are good for 90ftlbs. No decent mechanic would load up a ratchet that short that high. Now wobbles are weaker than normal extensions. Wobble plus might be slightly stronger than normal wobbles.

Otherwise, I think you should be use swivels if they fit. I don't think impact sockets are extensions are as strong as chrome. They are designed for fracture toughness, not strength. If you are driving these with ratchets, get high quality chrome.
 
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jimmybread

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Aug 18, 2014
Messages
133
I use harbor freight wobble adapters at work. I put them through some abuse and they hold up pretty good. Plus, with pittsburgh's lifetime warranty, just go get another if it breaks.
 
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M

MDK22

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Joined
Apr 1, 2015
Messages
222
Location
Philadelphia, PA
The size of the bolt is 8mm head M6x16 bolt with captive washer. I looked into swivel sockets today from SO. They might and i stress might work but, it is doubtful I could get it onto the bolt.

It is located on a lower turbo, it holds in the oil feed line, and you have to go in between the upper turbo and EGR and go through a hole between the center manifold and upper turbo that drags on any 1/4" socket. Lots of pachinko has been played with sockets and the 8mm bolt when it comes out also not fun. Ball type impact swivel sockets will not fit.

You then have to get it to sit on top the bolt with only being able to manipulate it with a very thin extra long screwdriver. A full wobble socket I also feel might weebble wobble too much and electrical tape will make it too stiff.

Torque spec is supposed to be 10' lbs. I will tell you right now it feels like I will break my 1/4" SO fine tooth ratchet every time. I assure you the heat cycling and rust does not help. We also soak the ever living hell out of them with penetrating oil normally hitting them 5-6 times over a 2 hr period till when it needs to be removed.

Even with a 3/8 drive long handle on there with an adapter it still is hella tight.

Pittsburgh doesn't make a wobble extension in 1/4" drive at least as far as I have seen on their website unless you do not mean Harbor Freight.

SO guy told me he doubts the gearwrench will be stronger then the SO though he is a SO rep so.... But, he sells both and warranties the Gearwrench more often so I dunno.

We had huge issues with them rounding before I bought my 6s Grey Pneumatic 1/4" set also. So using a wobble socket also scares me for this reason.

Anyone know if the brands they are suggesting are stronger then the SO are?
 
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M

MDK22

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 1, 2015
Messages
222
Location
Philadelphia, PA
jeremy v said:
If worst comes to worst you could always buy a couple regular extensions and make them into wobbles yourself. It only takes about 10 minutes to make one with something like a Dremel and a mini metal file set.

I have made 5-7 of them now and I realized quickly that they still work well with much less shaping than they usually have. I easily achieve 15 degrees of angle with mine and I have a lot more meat left on the drive end for strength purposes. I don't use impact tools much, so I can't tell you how they hold up under impact use, but I have used my 1/4" drive wobbles with hand tools many times and they work like they should and I haven't broken any. If you prefer Grey Pneumatic extensions you might want to try using one of their regular 4" impact extensions (part number 944E) as your base.
Click to expand...

I will get my wobble sent out for warranty tomm and when the std one comes back I will have to try this.
 
T

Tanro

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Feb 14, 2015
Messages
98
I've got chrome pitsburg ones I use on my matco 1/4" impact gun everyday...
 
G

GuyllFyre

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Sep 2, 2014
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378
Location
Scotia, NY
This assortment recently helped me replace a starter on a 2005 Aveo, top bolt, without removing any coolant lines or mounting brackets.
SDC13170.JPG
 
S

shockwave

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Joined
Oct 23, 2012
Messages
2,125
Location
Marietta,ga
Have you tried stahl wile or hazet they have held up quite well for me

And I second getting snap on 1/4 chrome universals they are the best out there gearwrench ones will not hold up

Matco has very nice 1/4 drive universal impacts pinless but might be too fat for your situation
 
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