Sockets: Deep vs. Shallow & 6-Point vs 12-Point

I need some more sockets (don't we all?). In general, are deep sockets not used very often & will they damage/slip the fastener more than a shallow? I do plan on purchasing impact sockets as all of mine are currently chrome.

In particular, I need a 19mm socket for the crank bolt on an '02 Accord V6 (timing belt job). I believe a deep socket would be best here, although I have a 19mm shallow socket but not impact rated (not used daily - I'm a DIY). Would type socket would be best in this use? I would think that the chrome socket would do fine, but not 100% sure.

As a followup, what would you recommend as additional sockets that would be the most used in automotive repair applications that I don't currently have? I'm saving about $600 doing the timing belt myself, so that gives me $300 to spend on garage items. Anyway, these are the sockets that I currently have.

1/4" Drive 6-point shallow:
4-14 mm including 5.5
5/32, 3/16, 7/32, 1/4, 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8-9/16 (skipping the /32)

1/4" Drive 12-point shallow:
3/16, 7/32, 1/4, 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8-9/16 (skipping the /32)

3/8" Drive 6-point shallow:
6-17mm
1/4-13/16

3/8" Drive 12-point shallow:
12-19mm
5/16-13/16

3/8" Drive 6-point deep:
12-18mm
3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16

I am seriously considering Wright impact sockets. What are the opinions of the Wright spline drive sockets?

Thank you.

IMHO build your set with 6 point & then add with 12 as you have the extra funds or the need for a particular size arises.

I would recommend 1/2 drive deep & shallow 6 point metric Grey Pneumatic impact sockets. I would then recommend 3/8 (first) & 1/4 impact wobble sockets, GP also.

Do you already have the crankshaft holding tool to do the Honda timing belt?

benjamming said:

I need some more sockets (don't we all?). In general, are deep sockets not used very often & will they damage/slip the fastener more than a shallow? I do plan on purchasing impact sockets as all of mine are currently chrome.

Click to expand...

Deep sockets MIGHT slip more. They can rock on a fastener more easily when you tighten or loosen them. I don't really think about it much, and the sockets I use first are always shallows. Actually, what I often use before sockets are the closed end of combination wrenches.

benjamming said:

In particular, I need a 19mm socket for the crank bolt on an '02 Accord V6 (timing belt job). I believe a deep socket would be best here, although I have a 19mm shallow socket but not impact rated (not used daily - I'm a DIY). Would type socket would be best in this use? I would think that the chrome socket would do fine, but not 100% sure.

Click to expand...

Chrome is fine if you are tightening/loosening by hand. But, don't use an impact wrench on a chrome socket because the wrench might dammage it. Also, most impact sockets are thicker walled and could have difficulty fitting in some places where a non-impact socket would fit. I doubt that's an issue with the crank bolt, but it's something to keep in mind in general.

benjamming said:

As a followup, what would you recommend as additional sockets that would be the most used in automotive repair applications that I don't currently have? I'm saving about $600 doing the timing belt myself, so that gives me $300 to spend on garage items. Anyway, these are the sockets that I currently have.

1/4" Drive 6-point shallow:
4-14 mm including 5.5
5/32, 3/16, 7/32, 1/4, 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8-9/16 (skipping the /32)

1/4" Drive 12-point shallow:
3/16, 7/32, 1/4, 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8-9/16 (skipping the /32)

3/8" Drive 6-point shallow:
6-17mm
1/4-13/16

3/8" Drive 12-point shallow:
12-19mm
5/16-13/16

3/8" Drive 6-point deep:
12-18mm
3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16

I am seriously considering Wright impact sockets. What are the opinions of the Wright spline drive sockets?

Thank you.

Click to expand...

You've got a pretty good set. But, 19mm fasteners are pretty common. I'd suggest you get a 19mm 6 point deep and shallow in 3/8" drive. You could also get a 1/2" drive set to generally cover the larger sizes. I agree with daveblank's suggestion for you to next get a 1/2" drive impact set with shallow and deeep metrics.

Try to have a good mix of extensions in 1/4" and 3/8", and a universal joint in each size if you already don't.

I don't have any experience with Wright spline drive or impact sockets. But, they make excellent products overall.

I hope this helps.

Joe Mamma

Thanks guys as those are two great responses.
Yes, I do have the pulley holder tool for the TB job.

Are 6-point or 12-point sockets more apt to slip, etc.?

I had considered a set like this one from Craftsman. Linkie

Using a 12-point socket on a 6-point fastener is much more likely to strip the fastener than using the correct 6-point socket.

I have no 12-point sockets in my main toolbox, it's all 6-point. From memory I think I can only recall one 12-point fastener in the last 12 years.

On the aircraft I work on, there are loads of 12pt fasteners. I encounter them everyday, especially on the engines.

I seem to use my 3/8 semi-deeps far more often than the deeps..

To rip a single fasener out for a job I would use what ever I had on hand, a 4$ Duro from the autp parts store would suffice. 3/4 or 19.

I chose sockets that are 6 point because the walls are thicker in the spots where the extra points would be. Not sure if that adds much rigidity if any at all, but I'll keep telling myself that it does.

There's also the point that has already been brought up about 12 point fasteners...I have rarely touched one. I'm a weekender mechanic, so if I ever came across a 12pt fastener I'd likely reach for a box-end wrench.

Make sure you have a "real" impact wrench at hand (1000 ft/lbs) to remove that crank bolt, Sometimes even that doesn't budge it, then you get to have fun with the crank holder attachment. I lost my trusty MIT 24" breaker bar to a Honda crank bolt.

I have a 1/2" IR 2135TiMAX impact with a Champion 7.5 HP 80-gal 2-stage compressor. I have an SK 24" x 1/2" breaker bar along with the crank holder attachment if the impact doesn't work. A cheater bar will also be nearby if things really become stubborn.

benjamming said:

I have a 1/2" IR 2135TiMAX impact with a Champion 7.5 HP 80-gal 2-stage compressor. I have an SK 24" x 1/2" breaker bar along with the crank holder attachment if the impact doesn't work. A cheater bar will also be nearby if things really become stubborn.

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You're going to need it. Yesterday I pulled the crank pulley bolt off to do a timing belt on my wife's '00 Accord (4 cyl). It laughed at my IR impact gun, but I don't have the air that you do. I eventually used a 1/2" 24" breaker bar ($10 Harbor Freight ) with a 6' pipe on it. Pulled it from over my head (i'm 6'4") and a few inches from the ground it finally popped the bolt loose.

The crank pulley holder is a lifesaver though. That'll make it so much easier. Good luck .

Oh yea, def get an impact, deep 19" socket for the crank pulley bolt. I would NOT want to go putting that much force on a non-impact socket. Plus it could flex and ****** up the crank bolt, which wouldn't make things fun. Also, I use 6-pt sockets almost exclusively. I've rounded off a few bolts with 12 pt sockets, so it's not worth the aggravation IMO.

Scotto,
I understand the recommendation for an impact socket, but why a deep instead of a shallow?

benjamming said:

Scotto,
I understand the recommendation for an impact socket, but why a deep instead of a shallow?

Click to expand...

I dunno if it's different on the V6 motors, but the crank pulley bolt on the F23 (4 cyl) is a good 1" deep. A standard depth socket won't fully cover the bolt head and you want the whole bolt on there because of the force. Plus the bolt is inset into the pulley a bit and the impact gun would be really close to the pulley.

I only have a deep impact socket set. I like the gun to be a little further away from the bolt so I have good clearance. Only a few times have I needed an standard depth or 12 pt socket and then I just use a regular socket. It's usually not a huge bolt so it's not much strain on the socket.

BTW, for Honda's I do have four 12 pt sockets - 10, 12, 14, and 17mm. There's some bolts that are 12 pts, like flywheel and clutch pressure plate bolts. Pretty uncommon, but you're screwed if you don't have one because a 6 pt won't fit.