Any use for 12 point impacts?

[pugglewuggle]

Is there any realistic use for 12 point impact sockets? I always see 6 point ones but I know they make 12 points, so just wondering. If I already have a chrome 12 point set, is there anywhere I will actually need the impact to use on an impact gun for busting serious stuff loose? No... I won't use my chrome on an impact gun...

 

[454ragtop]

I think the primary use for 12 point impacts is 12 point headed bolts or nuts.

 

[Bowles]

All semi truck u joint caps are 12 point. There known for busting chrome

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

99 ram front hub bolts and ford 8.8 from an explorer

 

[ken w.]

U joint bolts , some axle nuts , head bolts.

 

[toolaholic]

Axle sockets such as these.

 

[Old Man Roger]

Hypothetically, you could find yourself in a position where you can only use a long breaker bar, but only have limited space to turn a nut.

I can't think of a specific scenario, but it could happen?

 

[AS556]

Maybe 30, 32, 34, and 39 depending on what you work on (Toyota).

What are you seeing that large on a car? Those common sizes on Japanese cars?

Biggest I have are 30, 32mm but they are 6 point.

 

[Tallpilot]

What are you seeing that large on a car? Those common sizes on Japanese cars?

Biggest I have are 30, 32mm but they are 6 point.

39mm 12pt axle nut on Tundra and Sequoia. 35mm 6 point on Tacoma and 4Runner.

 

[619DioFan]

What are you seeing that large on a car? Those common sizes on Japanese cars?

Biggest I have are 30, 32mm but they are 6 point.

A variety of vehicles have 12 point axle nuts so the larger size 12 point axle nut sockets are needed.

 

[CR888]

Well, what is the real reason 90%+ 3/8-3/4" impact sockets are 6pt. I have my thoughts which are very different reasons than chrome 6pt vs 12pt. What is it about the 6pt design that makes them better suited for impact guns?

 

[ChevyEFI]

Well, what is the real reason 90%+ 3/8-3/4" impact sockets are 6pt. I have my thoughts which are very different reasons than chrome 6pt vs 12pt. What is it about the 6pt design that makes them better suited for impact guns?

The rustier the vehicles in an area, the more people think 6 point is mandatory across the board. I thought that growing up, because I had heard it enough.

In truth, the larger the fastener, the less possibility of a 12 point rounding a 6pt fastener off. Unless the fastener head is mangled or rusted rather badly.

 

[chrismenke]

Hypothetically, you could find yourself in a position where you can only use a long breaker bar, but only have limited space to turn a nut.

I can't think of a specific scenario, but it could happen?

Toyota LandCruiser rear calipers. Don't ask me how I know this.

 

[Dakkyz]

VW love 12 point, Trucks love 12 point on the engine and drivetrain and some axle nuts on passenger cars are also 28/30/32 and 34mm 12 point.

 

[Balakay]

Exactly. 39 12pt on Tundra, Sequoia and Land Cruiser.

I'm assuming 100 and 200 series Cruisers? Because the solid axle Cruisers use 54mm axle nuts. Same as the mini trucks and 4Runners of the 80s.

 

[gungatim]

just be careful buying used 12pt. impacts. I picked up a nice full set of snap-on 3/8" drive 12 pt. at the flea market for $35. thought I got a great deal. then I looked them up just to see what they listed for and found they aren't impact rated, just black oxide finished sockets. live and learn...I still use them mostly on mower blades since my little 3/8 impact is easier to fit under the deck and has just the right amount of power, and occasionally when I need a thinner walled impact and don't want to risk messing up a chrome socket.

 

[Tonyuk]

I use my 12 point set pretty much daily.

 

[coljar]

The only thing I will use them on is larger 12 point bolts, but never on any 6 point.

 

[Sloper0204]

Well, what is the real reason 90%+ 3/8-3/4" impact sockets are 6pt. I have my thoughts which are very different reasons than chrome 6pt vs 12pt. What is it about the 6pt design that makes them better suited for impact guns?

3/4" drive and up are primarily 6pt for the industrial sector. No need to buy a 12pt when all you are doing is rattling up flanges with 1-1/8" to 2-3/4" dia studs.

We always considered anything under 3/4" drive light duty, can't tell you how many 1/2" drive sockets we've blown up just with breaker bars.

Its really fun when you get up to 3-1/2" drive sockets.

 

[wobble extension]

Some white tractors have 3/4 ( I think) 12 point bolts that you have to take out to split it I think that's the only time I've needed one

 

[toddmorr]

100 series land cruiser lx470 are 54 mm

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[GTO]

I have ARP Polished SS 12 point bolts on my engine on my collector car.
Yes,there is a need for 12 pt sockets.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

My 12 point impact socket sets have something in common with a jack hammer: They are needed for some specific jobs, but not for most others. This general rule applies to every tool sold.

My 12 point impact sockets are primarily needed for working on semi truck engines and drive lines. Being it is doubtful You share this need,, (or any other regular need for 12 point impact sockets) I would recommend buying "normal" 6 point impact sockets.

 

[CR888]

The rustier the vehicles in an area, the more people think 6 point is mandatory across the board. I thought that growing up, because I had heard it enough.

In truth, the larger the fastener, the less possibility of a 12 point rounding a 6pt fastener off. Unless the fastener head is mangled or rusted rather badly.

Prohably so, but do you think the weight or extra mass of the 6pt design is beneficial when using an impact? Some of the higher end tool co's offer impacts in regular & heavy duty which is just added wall thickness/weight. Stahlwille does this.

 

[marinusdees]

Torquing headbolts on older Toyota V-6 engines, used widely in Forerunners. You need a 1/2" to 3/8" adapter in order to use a torque wrench with the range to torque the bolt. 1/2" drive socket is too big to fit in the well.

 

[mikegt4]

Used a 12 point chrome socket and my air impact just yesterday to remove the 12 point bolts holding the driveshaft to the rear axle pinion flange on my Ranger pickup. IIRC it was a 12mm socket torqued to 90 ft. lbs. so I had to be careful.

 

[AS556]

Used a 12 point chrome socket and my air impact just yesterday to remove the 12 point bolts holding the driveshaft to the rear axle pinion flange on my Ranger pickup. IIRC it was a 12mm socket torqued to 90 ft. lbs. so I had to be careful.

Sounds like a good time for a breaker bar IMO

 

[ken w.]

I usually add a bit of heat to the Ranger bolts as they are lock tited on too. I also bought a 12mm 12 pt impact swivel just for these.

 

[mikehaugen]

In truth, the larger the fastener, the less possibility of a 12 point rounding a 6pt fastener off. Unless the fastener head is mangled or rusted rather badly.

I don't buy this, yes you will get more contact area on a larger head, but the force needed to turn it will be greater as well. There may be some other physics going on but I believe the scale of "torque required to round off a head" of small bolts vs big bolts would be linear.

 

[mikehaugen]

99 ram front hub bolts and ford 8.8 from an explorer

This is the only 12 point bolt I can remember ever seeing (the ram), and if I remember correctly if you wanted to use an impact it would need to be a swivel socket.

Edit, I was just reminded by another post of the ford axle flange bolts (though I think this was on an f-150)

 

[ChrisLS8]

I've always just used my set just like the six points. Never an issue. I do use a 14mm specifically for Nissan Flywheel bolts

 

[TractorJeff]

I don't buy this, yes you will get more contact area on a larger head, but the force needed to turn it will be greater as well. There may be some other physics going on but I believe the scale of "torque required to round off a head" of small bolts vs big bolts would be linear.

I've rounded out 6 points changing Track Pads on a 3/4" Impact a couple of times. I would NOT even consider sing a 12 point socket!

 

[ToolPolisher]

You could probably get away with 3/8 drive but I'm thinking flywheel and clutch bolts for Honda.

 

[ken w.]

I think some of you are missing the point of 12 point impact sockets. They are for 12 point bolt heads.

 

[mikegt4]

Sounds like a good time for a breaker bar IMO

That was plan A, truck was on ramps so my long breaker bar didn't have room to swing. Impact was plan B.

 

[CR888]

Wouldn't a 12pt socket with flank drive feature that near all modern sockets have be less likely to round a fastener as it engages back away from the hex corners opposed to a 6pt that engages right at the edge which is the weakest most vulnerable/prone area to rounding?

 

[plinker]

Wouldn't a 12pt socket with flank drive feature that near all modern sockets have be less likely to round a fastener as it engages back away from the hex corners opposed to a 6pt that engages right at the edge which is the weakest most vulnerable/prone area to rounding?

Provided the contact points are intact and not already rounded off & not rusted away it should work fine.

I've run into it where even a 6pt socket would not work due to rust eating away the bolt head, that's when a Matco non-slip socket can work as it engages differently. A turbo socket tends to work well in this case as well. I've had both work on nuts & bolts that started out as a 13mm hex and ended up being a about a 12.5mm hex or thereabouts.

One other thing I've noticed is if you have a rusty 12pt bolt, after wire brushing the rust off they actually dont tend to round off that much IME. They do look like **** and should be replaced though.


FWIW, 12pt bolts are fairly common in trucks & heavy equipment.

 

[ChevyEFI]

Wouldn't a 12pt socket with flank drive feature that near all modern sockets have be less likely to round a fastener as it engages back away from the hex corners opposed to a 6pt that engages right at the edge which is the weakest most vulnerable/prone area to rounding?

"Modem" 6 point and 12 point sockets and wrenches have off corner engagment. Their distance from corners can be identical. A missing point (in 12pt tool on 6pt fastener) in the middle of a side of the hex has little bearing until a tool is being heavily worked and deformed in use.

 

[Tbird22]

Just did timing on a vw and the crank pulley had 4 hex bolts and a 19mm 12 point bolt. Wouldn’t buy a set of impacts just for that (especially bc the pulley can be removed without removing the bolt), but if I had it, I would use it over chrome


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal