Crowsfoot wrenches

[Flivver250]

In all my years of wrenching I have never needed a crowfoot wrench. Does anyone find them useful and what for? I am wondering what I am missing or if there were tasks I just never did. Surprised I haven't bought any never the less.

 

[Stooge]

i only picked up a proto sae set maybe 2 yrs ago for cheap and have a few sae and metric flare ones for different jobs. i sort of liken it to its one of those tools you wouldnt think you would need until you have them. tight spaces where you might not get as much leverage otherwise, torquing down obstructed bolts without having to try and manuuver a socket in there or even just getting to obstructed bolts. they dont get a ton of use, but definitely come in handy

 

[Bull]

I just had to order a 14mm crowsfoot on eBay. I am installing new front shocks on my '95 Roadmaster. They sell shock absorber sockets that capture the top of the shock shaft while fitting over the nut below it, but the nut on the Gabriel shocks is 14mm, and none of the special sockets that I found are that size.

So, I bought a Snap-on socket that will fit the 1/4" absorber stem and a crowfoot to tighten the nut below it. Only way I can see of doing it.

I've also found them useful on steering box connections (flare crowfoot).

 

[mattygee]

They come in handy in aviation and hydraulic equipment applications... say you have a valve assembly with 8 fluid lines attached to it and a middle one is leaking... no room to swing a regular wrench, so a crows foot on a long extension just might save the day.

M

 

[mds47588]

As an aircraft mechanic...I get enough use from my Snap On flare crowsfoot to justify their cost. Expensive? Yes. But they get into places where others can't which makes 'em worth it.

 

[gungatim]

Probably one of my least used tools as well, but I did have a need for one when installing my used 2-post hoist. The hydraulic line that runs between the two posts is encased in a box beam, with flare fittings at each end. Not enough room to swing a wrench in the beam so had to borrow a 11/16" crows foot to tighten it back down. Most new hoists use hose but this is an older Bear brand with steel lines. Other than that, I don't recall ever having a need. My serpentine pulley tensioner removal kit came with some, probably a few applications where there isn't enough room for a socket in fwd vehicles but I haven't come across one yet.

 

[shane3fan]

Ive rarely used mine but I have a full set of SAE and metric Snap On crowsfoot sockets. I bought them used from a tech that was selling out while I was turning wrenches. Havent used them in years.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

As an aircraft mechanic...I get enough use from my Snap On flare crowsfoot to justify their cost. Expensive? Yes. But they get into places where others can't which makes 'em worth it.

I've got a bunch of sets that I bought when I went to Aviation school...I have only used a few of them...This is one tool that you could probably get away with buying single pieces instead of the whole sets...

 

[bcradio]

I've used them on fuel pumps (flare nut version) where I couldn't get enough room to swing/reset a flare nut wrench. They are not used too much though.

 

[Flivver250]

The hoarder in me wants to buy a set, but like I said, never been stymied by a bolt I couldn't reach. I did have to bend up an SK once to get to one of the 13mm nut on an old MG 240D injector pump. I think the twisted remains are still in my box waiting for a repaeat after 35 years.

 

[RM209]

I've got a set and some miscellaneous pieces. Although I rarely need them, there have been a couple occasions when they made a difficult job much easier; most notable was when I changed the power steering hose on an early Taurus, and needed access to the end that went into the steering rack.

RM209

 

[Fastbird]

I've used them most on exhaust stuff, to hold the nuts for the header flange bolt since there's no room for a wrench if it's up by the frame rail or something.

 

[rsanter]

Just used one the other day to disconnect the trans fluid lines to get the trans out of the mustang

Bob

 

[porschedude996TT]

Being and old Aircraft Mech, I can say that I used them every week. Recently I used a 1/2" crowfoot on my Drive Shaft U-Joint Nuts with a torque wrench becasue I can't get a straight shot with my standard socket.

 

[Iron-Iceberg]

Just used one to remove an injector from a duramax.

 

[foreverfalcon40]

I have COO USA Cman all 4 sets in Metric, SAE, flare and non flare. 6 years of wrenching never had a use for them. But quite comforting that I do have them.

 

[genevabuck]

I was a mechanic n the Marine Corps. We need a couple of sizes on Hummers. After that, I can't remember using one.

 

[btbsandman]

Use mine twice a year. For hydraulic lines and some plumbing.

 

[bobcatdan]

I could not function without, especially my 1/2' drive. Used pretty much daily for any hydraulic repair.

 

[NC-Shaun]

I have had to use them to torque cylinder base studs on engines, and the flare style for removing fuel lines on certain vehicles.