Axle Nut Socket Set (automotive)

[AJHD]

Long story made short... As of recently, I'm officially no longer a heavy equipment tech. I'm going back into automotive starting next week and I need to pick up a few tools with a focus on automotive repair (as opposed to heavy equipment). For this thread, I need to get some axle nut sockets.

Right now, I'd prefer not to go the tool truck route for strictly financial reasons. I've more or less narrowed it down to HF and Astro. The HF set is cheaper, but the Astro set includes an additional 12-point 39mm socket for Toyota. They both appear to be CR-MO and both include the same sizes (except that 39mm w/ Astro).

I'm looking for opinions. Which set would you buy and why? Do you own or have real life experience using either set? Is the HF set strong enough to hold up long-term or would they quickly need to be replaced by something better? The Astro set has a lifetime warranty, whereas HF is only 90 days.

If you have another option/brand, please share it. Budget for this is currently under $100 and I need something by this weekend.

6 Point Axle Nut Socket Set 8 Pieces | Astro Pneumatic Tools

Includes seven 6-point axle nut sockets and one 12-point axle nut socket (39mm) Extra deep precision broached and forged from Cr-Mo with lasting finish 39mm ...

www.astrotools.com

1/2 in. Drive Front Wheel Drive Axle Lock-Nut Socket Set, 7-Piece

Amazing deals on this Drive Axle 1/2In Lock-Nut Socket 7Pc at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[dnschmidt]

The ASTRO set has been updated to all 12 point which is a good thing since Toyota uses twelve point on the Camry and many other cars. At the size these sockets are six or twelve point means nothing as 12 point are completely acceptable for any nut that size.

 

[rockettauto]

I wouldn't sweat the durability on an axle nut set. I've had all no name for years.

The most recent were some Amazon **** in all 12 point.

 

[AJHD]

The ASTRO set has been updated to all 12 point which is a good thing since Toyota uses twelve point on the Camry and many other cars. At the size these sockets are six or twelve point means nothing as 12 point are completely acceptable for any nut that size.

Actually Astro has both a 12-point set and 6-point. I'm looking for 6-point.

I had 12-point Astro set but literally never used them.

 

[AJHD]

Well I think my decision has been made.

I just noticed HF has a new set of coupons out today and sure enough the axle nut socket set is on sale for $45.

Finances being what they currently are, I'm going to snag the HF set tomorrow. I plan to upgrade them in the future anyway (if needed), and I can buy that 39mm 12-point individually later.

 

[Sneezer]

I have the HF one. I am strictly a home gamer, but it has been used on at least 4 vehicles in the last 6 months, with no complaints. I picked it up with a coupon, and have been quite happy with it. Been using it on Mopar and Fords.

 

[Buckaroo5]

If you are looking for tool truck quality tools at a cheaper price, check out this thread - I have referred to it many times.

The Truck Tool Equivalents Thread - Gathering Data

While searching for some good bang-for-the-buck tools, I've discovered that many of the tool truck brands can be purchased for about 1/2 price by going through their industrial brand. I'd like to use this thread to identify some of the most common brands and tools for easy reference. Here's my...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[cherokee]

I also have the HF set and also a home monkey. On my last one it was breaker bar pipe and standing on it, no budge.

Then I remember I bought a cheapo amazon induction heater, hay try that. put it on there it starts to smoke a little and stop, still no joy. Put it on there again and let it start to change color. It makes a squeeeeeeeeek and it turns. I bet I could have done it without the pipe.

That induction heater thingy is really amazing. I used it on the mower deck as well and it was fantastic. One of those where have you been all my life tools.

 

[Ricky Joe]

I also have the HF set and also a home monkey. On my last one it was breaker bar pipe and standing on it, no budge.

Then I remember I bought a cheapo amazon induction heater, hay try that. put it on there it starts to smoke a little and stop, still no joy. Put it on there again and let it start to change color. It makes a squeeeeeeeeek and it turns. I bet I could have done it without the pipe.

That induction heater thingy is really amazing. I used it on the mower deck as well and it was fantastic. One of those where have you been all my life tools.

I’ve gotten the gas cap stuck on my lawn mower. Maybe I can try this.

 

[Gordon84]

I just had to change a wheel bearing on my 2012 Toyota Rav4 and it was a 30mm 12pt spindle nut. I think this nut is common on many Toyota models. I bought an OEM tools 12pt set for $57, but I see it is out of stock now. The OEM set seems decently quality, but I've only used it once so far.

 

[WWheeler]

I’ve gotten the gas cap stuck on my lawn mower. Maybe I can try this.

You'll know when you have had it on there long enough when you don't even have to use any other tool, not even your hand, to get that gas tank open. It'll do it all by itself.

 

[vssjim]

I like all my Astro tools and they have fantastic customer service so if you have problem Chris fixes it and they support Garage Journal and HF could care less

 

[xjfish]

I have been using mismatched, mostly no-name, axle nut sockets for years. 30,32,34,35,36,38 and some misc. standard covers 99%. I have several oddish 12pt sockets for VW, Audi, and Toyota but most use 6pt...

 

[2ndGearRubber]

You want 12pt working on cars. If it's so nasty 12pt doesn't work, torch will loosen it up and you can walk it off with an air hammer. And they're buying an axle. You need 12pt for toyota. My daily driver tool cart set is 30/32/34/36, in 6 point. But you will be buying 12pt.

I'd buy astro anything over HF. My DD set is sunex, 12pt set might be sunex too.

 

[no704]

I’ve got the rental set from orileys that I never returned!

 

[oldschoolcraft]

At the size these sockets are six or twelve point means nothing as 12 point are completely acceptable for any nut that size.

What size would you say is the lower threshold where 6 versus 12 point is meaningless? And you would just go with 12 points?

My daily driver tool cart set is 30/32/34/36, in 6 point. But you will be buying 12pt.

I'm curious if you mentioning 30 / 32 / 34 / 36 as specifically being axle sockets like extra deep ones, or are they just part of your regular impact socket set that are bigger than anything you'd use on the car except for axles?

Can regular deep 12 point sockets be used or do you really need the extra deep?

 

[john.k]

All the axle nut spanners I have are tube spanners ,from as mentioned Toyota Landcruiser up to ones I made myself to fit such things as worm drive Kirkstall axles on Coles cranes ...about 6 inch AF ,eight sided ,from memory.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

What size would you say is the lower threshold where 6 versus 12 point is meaningless? And you would just go with 12 points?


I'm curious if you mentioning 30 / 32 / 34 / 36 as specifically being axle sockets like extra deep ones, or are they just part of your regular impact socket set that are bigger than anything you'd use on the car except for axles?

Can regular deep 12 point sockets be used or do you really need the extra deep?

One could use a regular impact deep. Most people and most sets don't have 36mm sockets commonly, so that's where they become "axle nut" sockets. Most, not all, but 99% of axle nuts can be removed with impact sockets and you don't need the wall thickness advantage of chrome.

Around.... 1" I would say 12pt and 6pt begin not to matter, so ~27mm. That said if it's all rotted out, 6 point is superior.

 

[dnschmidt]

What size would you say is the lower threshold where 6 versus 12 point is meaningless? And you would just go with 12 points?


I'm curious if you mentioning 30 / 32 / 34 / 36 as specifically being axle sockets like extra deep ones, or are they just part of your regular impact socket set that are bigger than anything you'd use on the car except for axles?

Can regular deep 12 point sockets be used or do you really need the extra deep?

I think that anything above 7/8" (22 millimeters) is above the point of irrelevance.

 

[bwringer]

Agreed that the HF set is just fine, and that you WILL need a 30mm 12pt for Toy Yoda. However, Toyotas are everywhere and that 12pt is on the shelf in any auto parts store for not a lot of cash, so just grab that next time you pass an AutoClownz.

I've never run into 39mm, but then again I'm just some guy in his driveway.

With your background in heavy equipment, you'll barely even notice the ugliest, nastiest, stuck-est nuts on pissy little bitty car axles.

Never heard of anyone going back to passenger vehicle work from heavy equipment. But that's beside the point.

 

[AJHD]

Never heard of anyone going back to passenger vehicle work from heavy equipment. But that's beside the point.

So, while the advice in this thread is still applicable, my situation changed from my original post.

Long story short, my decision to leave CAT wasn't easy and it wasn't really up to me. I put in my notice yes, but I was forced out. My original plan was going back into automotive repair, but that plan was short lived. I also opted to not pursue heavy equipment repair elsewhere.

Simply put, the work reached a point where I had to make a decision, and that decision was it was no longer worth the back breaking work and consequential physical pain. In fact, I'm actually making more now doing something else that doesn't require physical labor and is therefore easier on my body (specifically my back).

Carry on.

 

[oldschoolcraft]

I think that anything above 7/8" (22 millimeters) is above the point of irrelevance.

to be clear you are suggesting that up to 22mm having 6 point 1/2-drive sockets is ideal because then you get greater engagement, but once you get to 24mm and higher you should switch to 12 point sockets if you just have one set, because you might encounter 12-point fasteners (like some axle nuts) and there's minimal benefit of 6-point so go with 12-point?

So if you want to have everything, get both 6 point and 12 point sockets of all sizes in shallow and deep, but if you wanted a basic set that can do most things, go with 6 point up to 22mm and then switch to 12point for everything bigger?

And possibly even just go with deeps not bother with shallows for those bigger sizes?

 

[AJHD]

Outside of a box end wrench, I don't use 12-point unless I have to. I just don't see the point and never had the need. I've owned a few sets over the years and never used them (and got rid of them because of that). I prefer a 6-point socket on a 6-point fastener.

My suggestion is to buy 6-point sockets and only buy the 12-point sockets you would actually need (like for a Toyota axle nut).
If you want the capability to do anything and everything, then buy 12-point and 6-point sets for everything.

Personally, I've changed gears over the last year or so, selling a lot of my Snap On tools (and other brands) and replacing some of them with cheaper versions because those tools see so little use (if I replaced them at all). Like deep sockets for example, I've replaced with Icon, whereas my shallows and semi-deeps are still tool truck.

 

[f121]

Outside of a box end wrench, I don't use 12-point unless I have to. I just don't see the point and never had the need. I've owned a few sets over the years and never used them (and got rid of them because of that). I prefer a 6-point socket on a 6-point fastener.

Same. With hindsight I probably should have bought my 3/4” set in 12pt not 6 for the reasons above, I’m not convinced it makes much difference past 30mm and gives me more options.

Can regular deep 12 point sockets be used or do you really need the extra deep?

I just use deep sockets, don’t own any extra deep.

 

[swsman]

I bought HF set on sale, for what I need it to do it functions fine.
If it needs to be replaced down the road, I can just go to a nearby store. Why I chose it over Astro/Sunex etc.

 

[ChevyEFI]

some Amazon **** in all 12 point.

Old thread, but this is still the way. I bought a 3/4" chrome 12pt set to do front chassis work on a 4x4. Socket was too shallow, but it worked on a weekend. Later, picked up the HF axle nut socket set. Only regret was "wish I would have just bought a 12pt. set."

What size would you say is the lower threshold where 6 versus 12 point is meaningless? And you would just go with 12 points?


I'm curious if you mentioning 30 / 32 / 34 / 36 as specifically being axle sockets like extra deep ones, or are they just part of your regular impact socket set that are bigger than anything you'd use on the car except for axles?

Can regular deep 12 point sockets be used or do you really need the extra deep?

Axle nut sockets are out there because they are needed. If you do expand tools in that size range and get a 12pt axle nut socket set, you won't go looking for a deep, because you already have it. Shallow? Maybe if you meed clearance. Cheap, metric, 12-point, with as many sizes in the set as you can find. Done.

 

[Sumboodie]

I've just bought the ones I've needed. I've seen full setups on walls in shops. Id imagine they are a few grand, figure each socket is $30-50.

Played heck finding a Ford front D60 socket a few months ago. The one everyone stocked and was listed as correct wasn't correct.

 

[dscheidt]

I've just bought the ones I've needed. I've seen full setups on walls in shops. Id imagine they are a few grand, figure each socket is $30-50.

Played heck finding a Ford front D60 socket a few months ago. The one everyone stocked and was listed as correct wasn't correct.

this is the way, especially for home users. Get what you need, when you need it. You're going to have to get parts, get the tool at the same time. Working in a shop, you can probably justify a set that covers the common stuff that comes in your bay.

 

[Sumboodie]

this is the way, especially for home users. Get what you need, when you need it. You're going to have to get parts, get the tool at the same time. Working in a shop, you can probably justify a set that covers the common stuff that comes in your bay.

I've drooled over them, as well as the fastener area, hydraulic lines/fittings setups, etc, etc.

But lot of the shops I go to have easily hundreds of millions in heavy equipment.
Some of them go through a couple million $$ in lube oils each year.

 

[mikey03]

If you still need them I came across Tekton set looks real sweet!

 

[AJHD]

If you still need them I came across Tekton set looks real sweet!

I don't, but that is a nice set I haven't noticed before.

Although employment changed as explained in earlier posts above, I bought the Astro set.

Aside from the Astro set, most of my sockets above 27mm are Tekton. I have a few more individual sockets to pick up.

 

[L.Cheapo]

If you still need them I came across Tekton set looks real sweet!

I have this set, bought it for ~$110 on sale a while ago. It's quite nice and will cover most light duty vehicles on the road today. For $8 a socket, decent case, lifetime warranty, delivered to your door, it's hard to go wrong. COO Taiwan.

 

[mikey03]

Although employment changed as explained in earlier posts above, I bought the Astro set.

What you doing for work these days man? I know you said you worked as a mechanic in one of your toolbox posts and downsized when you stopped doing it professional. Are you back at wrenching again?

 

[ecotec]

this is the way, especially for home users. Get what you need, when you need it. You're going to have to get parts, get the tool at the same time. Working in a shop, you can probably justify a set that covers the common stuff that comes in your bay.

For home users I agree.

I have the Harbor Freight set (under $30, with coupon, about 20 years ago and a Performance Tool 12pt 30mm (I can’t remember how much it cost, but it came from a auto parts store).

I doubt that I would add any until I specifically needed it.

If I were a mechanic, I would probably make more effort to have the ones for the vehicles I worked on. For dealerships, that would probably include other brands trade ins.

 

[kctgb]

Well I think my decision has been made.

I just noticed HF has a new set of coupons out today and sure enough the axle nut socket set is on sale for $45.

Finances being what they currently are, I'm going to snag the HF set tomorrow. I plan to upgrade them in the future anyway (if needed), and I can buy that 39mm 12-point individually later.

To be honest, I bought HF Pittsburgh impact sockets years ago and they have been exceptionally good to me. I’ve used them on air and cordless impacts and never broke a single one. Some are starting to look a little rough after 25 years of use. I don’t expect any impact to look like new after 25 years of hard use. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy the HF axel impacts.

 

[AJHD]

To be honest, I bought HF Pittsburgh impact sockets years ago and they have been exceptionally good to me. I’ve used them on air and cordless impacts and never broke a single one. Some are starting to look a little rough after 25 years of use. I don’t expect any impact to look like new after 25 years of hard use. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy the HF axel impacts.

In my experience, the HF set is a good budget alternative and frequently go on sale (or applicable coupon).

I opted for the Astro set at the time however, as I said before. They are only about $20 more than the HF set and have some differences/advantages.