4-Way VS. 1/2" Breaker in your trunk tools.

[ChevyEFI]

I've carried a 4-way because I had one & it comes in handy and works.

But I have an extra flex handle / breaker bar & the sockets to fit everything. It fits handily in the plastic box I got from Cripes a while back.

There's probably a little torque advantage to having two hands on a 4-way vs. the breaker, but M12 & 1/2" studs aren't concerning to me.

Any other reason I shouldn't take the 4-way out of the SUV & cars?

 

[General Geoff]

easier to spin the lugs off with a 4 way vs a breaker bar.

 

[M6erfan]

I carry a 1/2" breaker bar and Tekton flip socket set in my jeep. I hate 4 ways, my set up gives me 50% more socket sizes and takes up far less space. Furthermore, it's more versatile giving me another drive option that will work with any 1/2" socket.

I also find that I can get a lot more torque with the breaker bar, the 4 ways I've used are always 'off square' and tend to slip off the fastener. Add to that the uncomfortable bending, kneeling, stooping position you need to be in to grab a 4 way with both hands... Did I mention I don't like 4 ways?

 

[Tellingthem]

I do the breaker and sockets as well. I've never liked the four way wrench.

 

[thesilverone]

4 way

 

[shockwave]

Definitely breaker bar with sockets much better than a 4 way I keep 14-18 inch breaker is a good size for most trunks

 

[geartow]

I have both they are in there all the time, at work the 4 way with a 3/4 drive end and a socket, and you can put 2 men on it.

 

[Whiplash316]

Breaker bar and sockets all the way. I don't like how far away from the lug nut the "handles" are on a four way. Plus the four way takes up a lot more space.

 

[seber]

I drive a 3500 dually. Four way will not break the bolts loose.

 

[M6erfan]

Trying hard, but I can't think of 1 advantage a 4 way has over BB/socket set up...

 

[finn]

A long breaker and short, or no extension gives a better angle of attack and better leverage.

Also stores more efficiently.

I'm done with old school 4 way lug wrenches.

 

[gdocktor3]

I have one better. I keep a Snap On sliding breaker bar with a Proto ratchet adapter & a deep SK socket, as well as a SO speeder with a shallow SO socket. All vintage. Both my trucks have the plastic lug nuts and hub cap covers that I like to put in with the speeder so I don't crack them.

 

[wmm2]

I'll add a quick vote in favor of the breaker bar. My car has aftermarket wheels. The only thing that fits them is a deep well socket, so I pretty much have to go the breaker bar route.

The only advantage I can see to the four way is quick spinning as someone else mentioned.

Everything else seems to work in favor of the breaker bar:

1. Flexibility
2. more torque if needed
3. better working position near traffic
4. less storage space required
5. Plus my breaker bar can go straight out to work almost like a speeder

 

[Richard Cranium]

another vote for the breaker bar.

 

[Al Borland]

Breaker bar, Proto impact socket to fit lugnut, ratchet for running the nuts in and out.

 

[Wakefield]

So some people have twisted the 4 way into a pretzel?

Big sliding T bar in 3/4" drive-not many people can twist that into a pretzel -but the 3/4" to 1/2" adapter might be another story?

 

[derosa]

I've had the weld on one 4 way break with two of us trying to loosen some overtightened lugnuts and what I assume was a cheap aftermarket 4 way bend trying to get a wheel off, opening also deformed so it was like it hadn't been heat treated. 18" wright breaker with a decent impact socket and I can stand on the bar to get a lugnut loose. 250+ lbs on the end of 18" of lever will beat a 4 way.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I love 4 ways, they keep my scrap metal bin from blowing over. My M18 impact cost less than some peoples tire change setups

 

[Two Speed]

18" breaker bar in all the vehicles.
Working in the driveway? I usually grab the 4-way. Its got a good fit on the socket, and its always parked against the wall where the floor jack lives.

Alex.

 

[M6erfan]

1/2" Bosch 18v impact in garage

 

[Ign]

I used to carry my 2763 and 1/2" HF sockets in both metric and standard. But I wanted the 2763 in the shop. So when HD just put the 2663 kit on for $199 I did that and "downgraded" my truck box from brushless to brushed. I also carry a small Al floor jack and a ramp to help tandem axle people without using a jack at all.

We're camping this weekend in our Yukon in which case I carry my 2654 3/8" impact w a 22mm socket pre-loaded. It easily breaks the lugnuts which I personally torque to 140 in my shop as no one else services the vehicle.

But on things like my trailer - as a last resort backup - I keep a breaker bar and 13/16" socket in the tongue box 100% of the time. Small bottle jack too

 

[zcbauer89]

I have a cheapo no name breaker bar I got at TSC I keep in my pickup. My service truck...well there's plenty of tools in that lol

 

[619DioFan]

Both my 95 ram and 95 4runner have a 24'' breaker bar and a set of flip sockets with extension. this seems to be the best set up for me vs a 4 way wrench.

 

[Jim C.]

Glad I found this thread. It's right on time! You guys must have been reading my mind. I've been using the same Craftsman 4-way wrench for at least 30 years. It's not welded where the arms intersect, but rather appears to be one solid casting. It seems fairly rugged. Unfortunately I've had to use it more than I care to remember. No complaints whatsoever. I've been very happy with its performance and like it so much, I've been on the lookout for another one to put into my business vehicle. After looking in all the usual places, I still haven't found another one like the one I have. Prior to reading this thread, I actually started thinking that I might just pick up some sockets and a breaker bar instead.

Now that I read all of your comments, I think I might go with the sockets and breaker bar. I did have a couple questions however. Would it make sense to use impact sockets versus standard chrome non-impact sockets? In terms of clearing the wheel, I think there would be an advantage using a deep socket, possibly with a short extension. Any thoughts on this? Thanks.

Jim C.

 

[supertooljunkie]

I have a 24" HF breaker bar and deep well sockets to break the lug nuts. Then use a ratchet adapter to finish running them on and off.

 

[ex-x-fire]

Hard to jump on a 4 way handle.

 

[LSU]

18" craftsman breaker bar with a custom made piece of iron pipe as a cheater bar is my go to tire changer.

 

[mjoekingz28]

What all sized lugs do we have now-a-days?

My 4 way includes 17,19,21,22mm.

I guess we can forget 18wheelers because you need a whole gitup to fix those, what sizes should we keep to be able to help others in need?

 

[geartow]

If you wish to help the big trucks carry a "nut buddy" I have one of these for work , the "nut buddy jr" is made for cars and pick ups a 3 year old can change your tire for you after watching a youtube how to video with one.

 

[Roobaix]

I've got a breaker bar and sockets. When spinning off the lugs I'll put an extension on the socket and spin them off quickly with my fingers.

 

[Two Speed]

Now that I read all of your comments, I think I might go with the sockets and breaker bar. I did have a couple questions however. Would it make sense to use impact sockets versus standard chrome non-impact sockets? In terms of clearing the wheel, I think there would be an advantage using a deep socket, possibly with a short extension. Any thoughts on this?

Use what you have, or find first. I use a regular 6pt deep socket with a bit of rag stuffed in it so it doesn't bottom out onto the wheel face. I do not use any extension, never found a need for one.

Alex.

 

[davethorik]

Depends on vehicle. I keep my Wright 4435 (1/2 breaker 18" oal) in my Accord with a spare 19mm socket on it, my lugs are 19 and I hate the oem lug wrench. I must be lucky because 6 point shallow socket will fit, chrome or impact.

 

[mrjaw14]

I have a breaker bar and sockets in my vehicle. Was at my grandparents and they asked me to take a tire off their trailer. effing lug nuts were seized on there. They had several 4-ways, so I grabbed one. Wouldn't budge. grabbed a cheater pipe, but the 4-way stripped out! at first I thought I stripped the lug nut. Other 4-way was **** too. Finally got my breaker bar and a lug nut socket from my car, and although I had to stand on it, got the lug nut off no problem, and the socket fit the lug nut I thought was rounded off.

I'll never use a 4-way when I have the option for a breaker bar!

 

[LX-Markham]

I thought the 4-way went away around the same time as the bumper jack?

 

[bobcatdan]

I have both a 4 way and a complete 1/2" socket set with a flexible head SO ratchet and a pipe. If I can't a lug nut off a car or truck with that, I'm hunting down the guy who put that wheel on and kick him in the nuts.

 

[Jarhead0408]

I use a HF 24" breaker bar and a set of flip sockets.

I use a 1/2" speeder to run them off and on.

 

[finn]

Glad I found this thread. It's right on time! You guys must have been reading my mind. I've been using the same Craftsman 4-way wrench for at least 30 years. It's not welded where the arms intersect, but rather appears to be one solid casting. It seems fairly rugged. Unfortunately I've had to use it more than I care to remember. No complaints whatsoever. I've been very happy with its performance and like it so much, I've been on the lookout for another one to put into my business vehicle. After looking in all the usual places, I still haven't found another one like the one I have. Prior to reading this thread, I actually started thinking that I might just pick up some sockets and a breaker bar instead.

Now that I read all of your comments, I think I might go with the sockets and breaker bar. I did have a couple questions however. Would it make sense to use impact sockets versus standard chrome non-impact sockets? In terms of clearing the wheel, I think there would be an advantage using a deep socket, possibly with a short extension. Any thoughts on this? Thanks.

Jim C.

Impact sockets often have a thick wall.

They don't fit the opening around the lug nut on my wife's car, so I keep a thin wall deep socket in the trunk along with a long breaker.

 

[lakeroadster]

My vote is the 4-way.

That being said this would be a great thread to have also asked for your age as part of the response too, and if you even own a 4-way.

The one response of

Trying hard, but I can't think of 1 advantage a 4 way has over BB/socket set up...

... makes me wonder... ever used a 4-way?

All 4-ways aren't the same.. size matters, as they say.

 

[M6erfan]

My vote is the 4-way.

That being said this would be a great thread to have also asked for your age as part of the response too, and if you even own a 4-way.

The one response of ... makes me wonder... ever used a 4-way?

All 4-ways aren't the same.. size matters, as they say.

Yeah, I've used 4 way's, gave up on them back in the 80's after I discovered there was a much better way. Haven't owned a 4 way for at least a couple decades.

I've also moved on from the Commodore 64 I had back then...

I'd like to know what advantage in your opinion a 4 way has. I listed several advantages Of my set up, you haven't made your case.

 

[wmm2]

My vote is the 4-way.

That being said this would be a great thread to have also asked for your age as part of the response too, and if you even own a 4-way.

The one response of ... makes me wonder... ever used a 4-way?

All 4-ways aren't the same.. size matters, as they say.

OK, I'll play. My first cars had chrome bumpers and bumper jacks. The jack handle had a lug wrench built into the crook in the handle. I also carried a 4 way in the trunk. If you were smart, you used the the jack handle to break the lug nuts loose, then use the 4 way to spin the nuts off quick. Kept your hands cleaner too. (Flat tires always seemed to happen on the way to a date, or while on a date)

Someone stole the 4 way I had, and I couldn't find a replacement the same size as my old one locally. I still have the one I bought. It's sitting in storage right now, underneath my stairs. For fun, I measured it. 14 inches end to end. Divide by 2, take out a couple of inches for the width of your hand, and you're looking at around 5 inches. Not very good for leverage, even if you are using both hands. Now I remember why I put it in storage.

I'll stick with the breaker bar