Gearwrench Sensor and Sending Socket Set Opinions?

[HomeTheaterMan]

Does anyone have the Gearwrench Sensor and Sending Unit Socket Set. Part # 41720?

I currently have an old KD tools 02 sensor socket that works well when it fits. For ones it doesn't fit, I have a cheap parts store 02 sensor crow foot style socket and this is where the problem comes in. If they are seized, it's going to strip them out. It's almost like it spreads out when you put pressure on it. It's pretty terrible. My first thought was that this is probably one tool that I should replace with a Snap On. I was surprised when one of my good friends, who is a mechanic told me not to waste my money on the SO 02 socket. He's normally a huge Snap On fan, but told me he's been using the Gearwrench kit for years and it works great. I didn't think anything more of it until now.

I need an oil pressure sensor socket, and I'm confident the Gearwrench will be fine for me. I'm wondering if I should just buy it individually, or if it's the time to go ahead and get the whole set. I just don't want to waste the money on the whole set if they are going to perform the same way that my current one does. The reviews on Amazon mostly seem good, but the second review talks about how it's no Snap On. Many others mention it spreading, or stripping the sensors. Of course there are tons of positive reviews, but we also all know how many shill reviews there are on Amazon. So I'm looking for real world opinions. If they ****, I'd much rather just buy the individual oil pressure sensor socket and buy the others I need from Snap On.

 

[robert6715]

If you want the kit, do not let me talk you out of buying it. I have spent 10-15 % of my yearly income on tools for 36 years. That being said.

Are you removing O2 sensors to put them in new exhaust or replacing the sensor?

I had a SO socket until it was stolen. Never had a problem with the SO. It was a nice socket. After it was stolen, I realized that for the 15 or so a year that I deal with, the closed end of a stuby length 22mm or 7/8" wrench would do all of them. Yes, all of them. Ya, I might be prying on that wrench with a pry bar, sticking an extender on it, smacking it with a hammer or wrapping a long skinny rag around it & pulling like hell to get it broke loose. After I get it broke loose, they generally come out by hand or I use the open end of the stubby Chinese $8 wrench I don't mind hitting with a hammer. Remember these things have all of 1/4" of thread length.

The majority of sensors I remove because I am replacing them, those I cut the wiring off of to allow easy access of the closed end of a combination wrench & retorque with the open end.

For the ones I have to reinstall. I take a pic of the connector & disassemble the connector if it is too big to fit thru the closed end of the wrench, most 4 wire sensor connectors are smaller than 22mm-7/8".

Since my tools were stolen I have ordered oil sender sockets as needed from eBay. In my opinion oil sender/coolant sender sockets are necessary, O2 sockets, not so much & I turn wrenches for a living.

 

[Wrench97]

If they are tight enough that a little heat does not work I cut the top off and use a socket or box wrench.
I've started to check them now before quoting exhaust work.

 

[Xcursion88]

Does anyone have the Gearwrench Sensor and Sending Unit Socket Set. Part # 41720?

I currently have an old KD tools 02 sensor socket that works well when it fits. For ones it doesn't fit, I have a cheap parts store 02 sensor crow foot style socket and this is where the problem comes in. If they are seized, it's going to strip them out. It's almost like it spreads out when you put pressure on it. It's pretty terrible. My first thought was that this is probably one tool that I should replace with a Snap On. I was surprised when one of my good friends, who is a mechanic told me not to waste my money on the SO 02 socket. He's normally a huge Snap On fan, but told me he's been using the Gearwrench kit for years and it works great. I didn't think anything more of it until now.

I need an oil pressure sensor socket, and I'm confident the Gearwrench will be fine for me. I'm wondering if I should just buy it individually, or if it's the time to go ahead and get the whole set. I just don't want to waste the money on the whole set if they are going to perform the same way that my current one does. The reviews on Amazon mostly seem good, but the second review talks about how it's no Snap On. Many others mention it spreading, or stripping the sensors. Of course there are tons of positive reviews, but we also all know how many shill reviews there are on Amazon. So I'm looking for real world opinions. If they ****, I'd much rather just buy the individual oil pressure sensor socket and buy the others I need from Snap On.

I tried seeing your location but nothing is listed.
I'm in the midst of the rust belt. We work on a wide array of vehicles and their ages....along with a wide array pf conditions.
The problem with your set in question is the o2 sensor sockets.

I've had no luck with those two sockets.
The one on the very left attaches the ratchet too far away creating an unintended angle once you apply force to it.
The other one with that universal star slot for a 1/2" use...if you get a really seized sensor two things happen. Either the socket flexes open and or your ratchet walks right inside the star pattern that's holding your ratchet.

Both of those o2 socket suffer from flexing open because they're thin and the angle leverage is too much. They will walk right around your o2 sensor if badly seized. Because of that flex it won't really strip your o2 but you'll still be without o2 removal and full of piss and vinegar now.
If you're not anywhere near rusted stuff the Gearwrench wrench set (I believe it's also a rebranded OTC set) and OTC might be a rebranded set from _______
will work fine.

The other sockets in that set like for oil pressure sending units are fine. (They don't get seized like o2 sensors can at times)

I'm not partial to any one brand but the best o2 sensor socket I've found is the SWR2 from Snap-On

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

Notice the short distance from ratchet attach to the center of the fastener gripping area.
Also the thicknes of the material used.

***********

Know this

***********

Many ways to skin that cat.
Heat...REAL HEAT like acetylene(heat always helps stuck fasteners)
You can also cut the wires and use a deep 6 point...but not always because if you don't have the clearance for that...

The above ruins the o2 which is fine if your intending on replacing with a new one...

If your intention is to just put on o2 socket and remove the Snap-on socket is definitely the best we found.

Good luck

 

[dnschmidt]

Nothing wrong with Astro: https://www.astrotools.com/product/7pc-sensor-sending-unit-socket-set/

 

[HomeTheaterMan]

If you want the kit, do not let me talk you out of buying it. I have spent 10-15 % of my yearly income on tools for 36 years. That being said.

Are you removing O2 sensors to put them in new exhaust or replacing the sensor?

I had a SO socket until it was stolen. Never had a problem with the SO. It was a nice socket. After it was stolen, I realized that for the 15 or so a year that I deal with, the closed end of a stuby length 22mm or 7/8" wrench would do all of them. Yes, all of them. Ya, I might be prying on that wrench with a pry bar, sticking an extender on it, smacking it with a hammer or wrapping a long skinny rag around it & pulling like hell to get it broke loose. After I get it broke loose, they generally come out by hand or I use the open end of the stubby Chinese $8 wrench I don't mind hitting with a hammer. Remember these things have all of 1/4" of thread length.

The majority of sensors I remove because I am replacing them, those I cut the wiring off of to allow easy access of the closed end of a combination wrench & retorque with the open end.

For the ones I have to reinstall. I take a pic of the connector & disassemble the connector if it is too big to fit thru the closed end of the wrench, most 4 wire sensor connectors are smaller than 22mm-7/8".

Since my tools were stolen I have ordered oil sender sockets as needed from eBay. In my opinion oil sender/coolant sender sockets are necessary, O2 sockets, not so much & I turn wrenches for a living.

I mainly am replacing them when I remove them, although I've had a couple of times that I've installed them in new exhausts. The last one I did that I never could get out with the sockets, I finally just cut the wires and used a wrench as you suggested. It worked in that case, but I've had a few cases, where I can't get a wrench or socket it with enough room to turn it, even with the wires cut. That's where the crowsfoot style comes in handy. I can put it on there, run an extension from the bottom side instead of the top, and then use a ratchet down out of the way to turn it. That's why I find this style comes in handy for me, it would just be better if I had one that didn't flex strip the sensors out instead of removing them.

 

[HomeTheaterMan]

I tried seeing your location but nothing is listed.
I'm in the midst of the rust belt. We work on a wide array of vehicles and their ages....along with a wide array pf conditions.
The problem with your set in question is the o2 sensor sockets.

I've had no luck with those two sockets.
The one on the very left attaches the ratchet too far away creating an unintended angle once you apply force to it.
The other one with that universal star slot for a 1/2" use...if you get a really seized sensor two things happen. Either the socket flexes open and or your ratchet walks right inside the star pattern that's holding your ratchet.

Both of those o2 socket suffer from flexing open because they're thin and the angle leverage is too much. They will walk right around your o2 sensor if badly seized. Because of that flex it won't really strip your o2 but you'll still be without o2 removal and full of piss and vinegar now.
If you're not anywhere near rusted stuff the Gearwrench wrench set (I believe it's also a rebranded OTC set) and OTC might be a rebranded set from _______
will work fine.

The other sockets in that set like for oil pressure sending units are fine. (They don't get seized like o2 sensors can at times)

I'm not partial to any one brand but the best o2 sensor socket I've found is the SWR2 from Snap-On

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

Notice the short distance from ratchet attach to the center of the fastener gripping area.
Also the thicknes of the material used.

***********

Know this

***********

Many ways to skin that cat.
Heat...REAL HEAT like acetylene(hways helps stuck fasteners)
You can also cut the wires and use a deep 6 point...but not always because if you don't have the clearance for that...

The above ruins the o2 which is fine if your intending on replacing with a new one...

If your intention is to just put on o2 socket and remove the Snap-on socket is definitely the best we found.

Good luck

This is exactly the advice I was looking for. So I really appreciate it. The problem you describe with the crowsfoot style o2 sensor sockets is exactly the same problem that I have with my current one. I'm hoping to upgrade to one that fits in tight spaces like that, but actually removes the sensors rather than slipping on the sensor. This kind of makes me think my initial thought of just buying the Snap On is the way to go. If I have to replace the pipe, or worse the catalytic converter a single time because it strips the sensor out and I can't get it out, it'll cost way more than the Snap On socket costs. I really didn't think I was going to get this last one I did out. Although I finally got it out with a wrench and some heat. I really don't want to repeat that process again.

 

[HomeTheaterMan]

Nothing wrong with Astro: https://www.astrotools.com/product/7pc-sensor-sending-unit-socket-set/

I have no problem with Astro, and I like the majority of tools I've purchased from them. However, their set is $81.85 vs $51.02 for the Gearwrench. It just doesn't make a lot of sense to me to pay an extra $30 for a set that includes 7 sockets instead of 8. The Astro stuff I've purchased in the past seems about on par with most of the Gearwrench stuff I've bought, so unless you guys convince me otherwise I'm not sure I see the reason to pay the extra money there.

 

[qqzj]

The GearWrench set is often below $40. I think it is a no brainer to have in the arsenal given the price.

 

[HomeTheaterMan]

The GearWrench set is often below $40. I think it is a no brainer to have in the arsenal given the price.

I wish I could find it for $40. I'd go ahead and pick it up for that. It seems like $51 is about the cheapest I'm seeing it anywhere now. It's $11 for just the oil pressure sensor socket that I need to buy. Which is why I'm considering just going for the whole set. It's much cheaper than buying the sockets individually, but then again, I'm not sure I'd buy them all if I was buying them individually.

I'm leaning heavily towards just buying the long oil pressure socket now for $11, then if I ever need the short one in the future, picking it up then. Then picking up the crowsfoot style from Snap On. I already have a KD Tools pre Gearwrench version of the deepwell one with the slit in it to the far right. So far, in my 15 years of working on cars, I haven't needed the others. If I ever do, I guess I could just pick them up at that time.

 

[vssjim]

I really see a lot of sets all made in Taiwan and many look the same so buy which ever brand you like GearWrench and Astro easy to warranty companies like OTC no more as they don't stand behind anything after a year and those O2 crows feet are thin and do break once in a while

 

[2ndGearRubber]

My preference is Schley tools spline drive for oxygen sensors I cannot get to with the open end of my wright grips.

 

[Xcursion88]

This is exactly the advice I was looking for. So I really appreciate it. The problem you describe with the crowsfoot style o2 sensor sockets is exactly the same problem that I have with my current one. I'm hoping to upgrade to one that fits in tight spaces like that, but actually removes the sensors rather than slipping on the sensor. This kind of makes me think my initial thought of just buying the Snap On is the way to go. If I have to replace the pipe, or worse the catalytic converter a single time because it strips the sensor out and I can't get it out, it'll cost way more than the Snap On socket costs. I really didn't think I was going to get this last one I did out. Although I finally got it out with a wrench and some heat. I really don't want to repeat that process again.

In the rust belt ours can get extremely seized and some have been in there a long time. Yet the exhaust still ok. Go figure...just happens like that at times.

Anyway...that SO o2 socket I showed you most times I must put a reducer (1/2" to 3/8") to use a SO 1/2" drive long ratchet
This one...

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

I'm not suggesting you need a ratchet like that but it gives you an idea how much power that SO o2 socket will hold without flexing open and slipping.

If you need the other pieces of that GW set ok...but I wouldn't buy it for the o2 sockets.
Been there...done that...learned from that mistake!!!

Good luck

 

[Xcursion88]

I really see a lot of sets all made in Taiwan and many look the same so buy which ever brand you like GearWrench and Astro easy to warranty companies like OTC no more as they don't stand behind anything after a year and those O2 crows feet are thin and do break once in a while

The problem isntbthe warranty...
As I mentioned there are many rebranded...

The priblem is they flex open and walk right around the o2.

Too thin and or too far from the ratchet.

Been there done that.


There are times I don't really give a **** on the warranty(like most times) because I don't/can't afford it to break to begin with. Don't have the time for that nonsense.

I gave my thoughts from rust belt heaven but it's ultimately his money, time and aggravation

 

[toddmorr]

My preference is Schley tools spline drive for oxygen sensors I cannot get to with the open end of my wright grips.

That thing is awesome, pricey, but works everytime

 

[jsmeece]

OP, I have the Craftsman 8 piece master sensor socket set (part number 4928), I think it is a rebranded Greawrench set. I have had "ok" luck using the two sockets Xcursion88 pointed out in his post. I have used these two sockets twice. Had no problem changing the O2 sensors on my Lincoln LS, but both of them spread on the two upper O2 sensors in the exhaust manifold I changed on my Toyota Rav4. I finally got them out by clamping vise grip around the socket to keep it from spreading until they broke loose. That Rav4 has very rusty exhaust and I don't think the O2 have ever been changed before. That Rav4 was original from Indiana (in the rust belt).

​

 

[Mr_B]

Just buy individual socket/tool of known quality as need them .
On known bad sensors I just chop them and go socket or ring wrench, wright grip2 open end wrenches done me good when working space allows ...

 

[2ndGearRubber]

That thing is awesome, pricey, but works everytime

They're not really that bad. I have 3 different schley oxygen sensor tools,35 to 50 bucks each. That's less than labor would cost at nearly any shop. I think they're a great value since they work so well.

A more economical tool may cost less, but if it fails to remove the sensor then you're stuck with a sunk cost and the need to still buy another tool. At least with the Schley stuff I know if i can't remove it I did my best. Lol