22mm or 7/8" for Lug Nuts

[nafterclifen]

Is it safe to continuously use a 7/8" impact socket on a 22mm lug nut?

My gut says in a pinch, no problem. But don't do it on the regular.

I'm asking because I haven't been able to find a Cro-Moly 22mm non-marring impact socket but I do have a 7/8".

 

[johninct]

On my F-350, I don't know if it is 22mm or 7/8". I try both and just use what fits the tightest.

 

[bwringer]

7/8" = 22.225mm

.2mm doesn't make any humanly detectable difference at that size. In fact, you'll find many lug nut sockets say something like 7/8" on one side and 22mm on the other.


13/16" = 20.64mm, so there's sometimes a difference -- there are a few tight-fitting 13/16" sockets that won't fit 21mm lug nuts or spark plugs, but most of the time they work fine.

 

[howpeculiar]

Same size as O2 sensors, both 7/8 and 22mm fit, and both work fine with solid engagement. You should be perfectly fine.

 

[BillK]

I personally would never use an impact so I don't think it would make a difference My Snap On 7/8 socket measures about .010" larger than a 22 mm one.

 

[Justind97]

I have had quite a few new lug nuts start to mushroom from using an impact gun to remove/install. Now I at least loosen said lug nuts with a breaker bar and then proceed with the impact. I have also realized that most new cars do not have solid lug nuts anymore like they did in the past. Now there's a thin tin like coating over top of the steel to keep the shine and luster. This is what mushrooms.

As someone said 22.2 vs 22mm is nothing to worry about. Either/or in my books.

 

[Fixin'Stuff]

I have also realized that most new cars do not have solid lug nuts anymore like they did in the past. Now there's a thin tin like coating over top of the steel to keep the shine and luster. This is what mushrooms.

My 1973 Pontiac had those, so they're not exactly a "new" invention.

 

[Showkey]

7/8” to 22mm same same and 19mm and 3/4” is the other almost exact conversion as far as sockets. Years ago I was told by a Snap On factory rep that they use the same socket for 19mm and 3/4 witha labeling change.

 

[3rdgendslmech]

Let me tell you guys what I experienced a few weeks ago and it kinda had me pissed off for more than one reason. I know Ford isn't the only one doing this because I've seen and experienced it on other makes.
I was doing a brake job on a 2013-14 Ford Focus, alloy wheels, chrome lugs....got to the last lug on on the first wheel I was taking off and it was a different size, no big deal I grabbed a 19mm instead of the 21 or 22 I was using. Noticed that the chrome lug cover was gone. Then I noticed that someone either used a 12 pt socket or beat whatever would fit on a few of the other lugs.
What I found next really had me irritated. All the lugs that had that the chrome covers still intact and in good shape had 2 little indents that were right up against the actual lug...the other 4 sides you could squeeze in with a pair of pliers. So the few that were really boogered up I cut the chrome covers off and put them back on the car...I called the girl and told her what was going on so she knew, then I put an old lug wrench i had laying around in her car so if she had a flat she could change it.
Then she tells me that her boyfriend had used the factory lug wrench to take off the tire that they thought was squeaking and he had trouble....Sure enough even the factory lug wrench didn't fit as tight as it should. And in the process of tightening or loosening you'll distort the chrome covers and make things really difficult.

"Things that really grind my gears!"

 

[bwringer]

Chrome lug nut covers are evil. Eventually they get corrosion between the cover and the nut, and the covers swell so that a socket no longer fits.

I think I even saw a 19.5mm socket once, used to remove swollen Chrysler lug nuts that would normally take 19mm.

 

[ZipSnafu]

Use a quality socket and you are good to go.

 

[KEH]

I believe a lot of lug nuts are buggered by someone using the factory lug wrench or other poorly fitting socket and standing on the wrench, causing unequal force on the socket. I like to have a breaker bar and proper size 6 point socket in my cars. Overtightened lug bolts also cause problems.

KEH

 

[Fixin'Stuff]

I... Overtightened lug bolts also cause problems.

KEH

Years ago I was having new tires put on a truck. I was watching this guy just keep holding the trigger on his impact gun on one of the lug nuts. I interrupted and asked what was up. He responded "This one is crossthreaded, but I'll get it on all the way". My response "How in the HELL would I ever remove it if I was stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire?!?!" The look on his face was priceless. &*&$ing *****. I convinced him to just remove that one and that I would replace the boogered stud when I got home.

 

[KEH]

Good call, I wouldn't want that guy replacing my stud either.

KEH