Are no scratch lug nut impact sockets worth buying?

[impactsocket]

Are no scratch lug nut impact sockets worth buying? I will use my electric 1/2" impact wrench on the no scratch lug nut impact sockets. Will the plastic sleeves come apart?

How is the Astro Pneumatic 5PC NO SCRATCH LUG NUT SET?

 

[Rubiman14]

I bought these Astro sockets off the SO truck a few months ago, to use with my new Jeep wheels. Only had a chance to use them a few times now but so far they're holding up. I'm using a 90 ft/lb torque stick and then a torque wrench to finish, though.

 

[LXCam]

I've yet to find a custom set of wheels that they fit. The coating normally kills it which is why I bought them in the first place. Go figure

 

[impactsocket]

Will using an electric impact wrench on these no scratch lug nut impact sockets tear up the plastic inserts inside the sockets? Can you buy replacement outer sleeves?

 

[Rubiman14]

I've yet to find a custom set of wheels that they fit. The coating normally kills it which is why I bought them in the first place. Go figure

I was wondering how many wheels these would work on. They barely fit my beadlocks. Sounds like I got lucky! For the price, I don't really care if they ever fit another wheel.

 

[impactsocket]

There are plastic inserts inside.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

OP,

They have a warranty, even though these plastic guards get chewed up.
You drop me a line and you get at least free replacement sleeves or inserts.


____________
Chris
Product Manager

 

[Wakefield]

How do the KoKen ones rank?

 

[K-Dog]

I have those sockets.
I can't say for sure if they work or not, but I have never marrd a wheel while using them.

I would rather use them and be safe than use a metal socket and take the risk.

 

[CJM8515]

Used those sockets, busted several sets. Not sure why but they didnt hold up and I wasnt using air, older snap on cordless impact.

If you are worried about the finish of the wheels wrap painters blue tape on the socket. Insides that touches the lug-no idea wtf you could do.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I use flip Sunex flip sockets. No scratches but I only have used them on factory aluminum wheels.

 

[liam.fenemore]

I've had the CP ones that are identical for a couple years. They get used every so often and I use them on an air impact. The only thing that's gone wrong for me was the sleeves will fall of, but I just glued them back on. Pretty good value I'd say.

 

[rayh91]

Thought about getting some, didn't want to worry about getting them warrantied though. So I passed.

I usually switch to chrome sockets with a light touch of the trigger if I'm worried about scratching the wheels.

 

[kctyphoon]

I have a flip set like tekton I use with my cars.. Haven't scratched my wheels or lugs yet. I'm not a mechanic, but my feeling is that if your beating the sides of the lugs with an impact, and they don't scratch, I'm not sure you need any "protective" plastic.. If your putting on/off expensive rims or anything on a new car, I'd "hope" people would take the extra tenth of a second to line up the socket instead of just slapping it on. If your willing to buy the protective sockets, you would probably do that anyway.. I might be wrong on this, but I've never scratched up my rims or lugs and I've have a bunch of aftermarkets..

 

[shockwave]

I have had the Cornwell set off a few years now it has been great broke a few here and there but also doubles as thin wall sockets for custom wheels and lifetime warranty

The only wheels I have had issues with is Mercedes amg requires slightly deeper 17mm that cost a pretty penny from hazet too

 

[joecon]

I have that set from about 10 years ago and they held up well
the plastic sleeves brake but it takes a while. If you deal with fancy
wheels they are worth it. also had a socket with a aluminum insert
for the lug bolts on Porsches.

 

[impactsocket]

How do the Chicago Pneumatic no scratch lug nut impact sockets compare to the Astro Pneumatic? Chicago Pneumatic are lower price but are they lower quality?

The CP set comes with 17mm, 19mm, 21mm.

 

[impactsocket]

I've had the CP ones that are identical for a couple years. They get used every so often and I use them on an air impact. The only thing that's gone wrong for me was the sleeves will fall of, but I just glued them back on. Pretty good value I'd say.

liam.fenemore, do you see noticeable wear on the inside of your Chicago Pneumatic no scratch lug nut impact sockets?

 

[abvw]

I have a flip set like tekton I use with my cars.. Haven't scratched my wheels or lugs yet. I'm not a mechanic, but my feeling is that if your beating the sides of the lugs with an impact, and they don't scratch, I'm not sure you need any "protective" plastic.. If your putting on/off expensive rims or anything on a new car, I'd "hope" people would take the extra tenth of a second to line up the socket instead of just slapping it on. If your willing to buy the protective sockets, you would probably do that anyway.. I might be wrong on this, but I've never scratched up my rims or lugs and I've have a bunch of aftermarkets..

There aren't many 21mm impact sockets that can clear the stock Nissan/Infiniti rims, I think they purposely designed this so you're required to hand tight the wheels. No issues with other brands.

Most other small lug bore aftermarket rims are often paired with spline lug nuts with a key so socket diameter/clearance are not much of a concern anymore.

 

[impactsocket]

How is Chicago Pneumatic's customer service in case the plastic sleeve/inserts break?

 

[WhataTool]

I'm sure CP will chime in any minute like Astro did.....

 

[impactsocket]

Chicago Pneumatic SS413WP 1/2" Drive 3 Piece Metric Deep Wheel ProtectorImpact Socket Set is only $20.86 on amazon.com

Does the low price = low quality???

http://www.amazon.com/Chicago-Pneumatic-SS413WP-Metric-ProtectorImpact/dp/B001JJBN4I

Chicago Pneumatic is even lower price than Harbor Freight. HF gives you SAE also but I don't need SAE.


Harbor Freight 1/2 in. Drive SAE & Metric Lug Nut Impact Sockets 7 Pc - Pittsburgh Automotive $34.99

 

[greyjasper51]

i have a set, not broken one yet, they are SO ones but i agree i have found that with the plastic covers on they are the same thickness as a std socket, however something ive not got round to yet, but between christmas and new year i will do it...

remove all the sleeves and plasti dip the outside of the sockets so they have a thin rubber like coating that protects against the wheel but isnt that thick.

if anyone has done this already and has feedback that would be great, also save changing sleeves just peel off the old plasti dip and apply new

 

[L.Cheapo]

Is there a US made version of these?

 

[impactsocket]

Are the black oxide finish thin wall impact sockets as thin as the shinny colored thin wall sockets?

 

[WhiffySpark]

I've always just used thin wall sockets. The sleeves never fit .

 

[JonDick13926]

I've always felt a little apprehensive about these. In part because I've never seen anyone use them, which I think says a lot. I have always wondered about the Koken ultra thin wall impact sockets though. I'm thinking those would be a better idea, or at least that's where I'd rather put MY money.

http://frankstools.com/koexthwaimso.html

 

[impactsocket]

Here is a video of the Harbor Freight no scratch lug nut impact sockets in use:

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Harbor Freight no scratch lug nut impact socket set overview video:

 

[dutchgray]

I've always felt a little apprehensive about these. In part because I've never seen anyone use them, which I think says a lot. I have always wondered about the Koken ultra thin wall impact sockets though. I'm thinking those would be a better idea, or at least that's where I'd rather put MY money.

http://frankstools.com/koexthwaimso.html

That is where my money would go if I needed these sockets, but since all my vehicles have steel wheels on I don't need more than a standard socket.

 

[94EG8]

We have a set at work, more often than not you have to take the sleeves off because they wont fit, then they start falling off all the time because they've been on and off so many times.

 

[impactsocket]

94EG8, what brand no scratch lug nut impact socket do you use at work?

 

[Skidonenko]

I bought a set of cornwell ones and kept splitting them. I was using them day in and day out though.

 

[94EG8]

94EG8, what brand no scratch lug nut impact socket do you use at work?

Westward.

 

[pacemade]

Those sockets work better when you take the plastic off for a thin wall.

 

[pacemade]

Use a hub centric ring, tightening by hand the way the instructions specify on the box and use a little grease on the socket and your rims will come out just fine. Always re torque your new wheels 50-150 miles after putting them on.

 

[Greg85mcss]

There aren't many 21mm impact sockets that can clear the stock Nissan/Infiniti rims, I think they purposely designed this so you're required to hand tight the wheels. No issues with other brands.

Most other small lug bore aftermarket rims are often paired with spline lug nuts with a key so socket diameter/clearance are not much of a concern anymore.

The same thing with newer legacy 19mm. Other than those specific situations they work pretty good

 

[JettaGetUpandGo]

I have the Sunex version with no issues and really like them. Previously I used a chrome Craftsman socket with heat shrink tubing around it. A standard impact socket didn't fit. I broke the lugs free with a breaker bar and tightened them with a torque wrench so minimal stress on the socket from an impact. It really only used to spin the lugs off and back on.

 

[6-Speed]

I have the Harbor Freight set pictured above in post #22. I have only used one of the sockets so far but the Delrin sleeve on half of them have started to split. The nice polished finish probably won't hold up. Other than that they are nice tools and you can easily remove the sleeve exposing a thin wall socket. I needed another 17mm lug nut socket so I just purchased a Sunex thin wall impact socket without the fancy finish or protective sleeve.

 

[ImStricken06]

i have seen the plastic get chewed up. i simply cover a basic impact socket with painters tape, and it works fine. just replace the tape as needed.

 

[impactsocket]

UPDATE: I purchased the Chicago Pneumatic no scratch lug nut impact sockets and they are excellent. The plastic insert falls out but you can glue it down.