Do you guys have a dedicated $$ lug sockets

[mobiledynamics]

I do - still do but they don't see alot of time these days. I just resort to a couple of thinwall impacts and I just wrap the top head with red electrical tape so I can SEE how it fits in the hole.

The ones I had were made by a a manuf in which the whole core made out of fiberglass. Can't recall if the manuf. went out of biz or got bought out

I've never used the anodized ones with the the plastic sleeving everyone seems to be using

 

[Modifieddriver]

Mine are dedicated $1 swap meet special thin wall standard sockets that'll get in tough places. I use a flex handle (breaker bar) rather than an impact if the nuts are chrome or have a jacket.

 

[383 240z]

Years ago I bought a set of AL wheel sockets pretty nice set, was cheap enough. I use them off and on. Some of my wheels need them, some don't. Only use them with hand tools of course. I would buy them again. Keith

 

[warmpancakes]

cheap impact socket and 10 minutes on the lathe problem solved , wifes truck had billet wheels and the holes where the lugs go are tiny

 

[XSSIVE]

I've had a few different styles of dedicated lug sockets over the years depending on the size needed for my particular car at the time (home mechanic, not pro so I never bother buying the full set). I just bought this 17mm Sunex one for my current VW and it's been working fine so far.

That said I'd like to find one that's even a bit more gentle on the lug bolts themselves if possible. Not sure that's actually possible since we're talking about a bolt that needs to be tightened to 90ft-lbs while keeping the gloss black finish on its edges. I have black wheels with black lug bolts and the bolts of course don't hold up well to repeated installs and removals as chrome ones do, even when done by hand. Forget about impact tools of any sort on these bolts that would destroy the finish in an instant.

 

[Farmall450]

I haven't had a problem getting Impact sockets in but I see the need....

 

[McKay]

yes I have a set of GP wheel sockets with the coated plastic cover. Nice to have on my good wheels.

 

[firebox40dash5]

I've got Blue Point's thinwall flip sockets in 17/19, 19/21, and 21/22. They're all US, and they've held up to my impact for about a year so far. Only sucky part is that my impact extensions won't fit in the 17mm end on the smallest, so it's pretty much just a 17mm.

I pretty much always use them, unless the threads are so jacked up the extension keeps my impact from breaking it free, then I'll use a regular socket. I don't really have any customers with fancyass ricer lugnuts to need sockets that protect the lugnuts, though.

 

[dirtmister16]

ive always wondered if one should loosen and tighten chrome lugs or otherwise coated by hand to help protect them. sounds like that thought was on the money. i buy the good solid chrome lugnuts so i don't have cap to come off of mine. but just the same.

regular lugs not a issue of course. only person i know that has a problem fitting sockets is my friends suzuki that thing as aftermarket wheels requires i think a 19mm and has to be either thin or a chrome socket to do the job. stupid car.

 

[mobiledynamics]

Hence the fiberglass sockets...

I'll have to goggle to see if there are any other glass socket makers on the market. If memory recalls, Matco bought them out but I'm not doing a lot of googling right now at work...

 

[rmsg0040]

Nope all my regular sockets fit,

if I need special sockets for nice wheels I will try and wrap my regular sockets in electrical tape and see if it works, if not will but a thin wall set or ones with sleeves

 

[firebox40dash5]

regular lugs not a issue of course. only person i know that has a problem fitting sockets is my friends suzuki that thing as aftermarket wheels requires i think a 19mm and has to be either thin or a chrome socket to do the job. stupid car.

A lot of Nissans, especially early-00's trucks and SUVs. My regular 21mm deep is all scratched up from my boss using it on an Xterra... 'twas my reason for buying the flip sockets, actually.

 

[kiatech]

No, all I ever use use is a 21mm deep

 

[crewchief888]

no,

all my factory and aftermarket wheels have the lugs exposed.

i can see the need for them on expensive billet wheels that cost more than all my tires and wheels put together....

 

[Murphy4570]

I grind down the outside circumference of junk Chinese impact sockets as needed to fit inside lug nut holes in fancy aftermarket wheels. No need to spend crazy cash on special sockets you don't use that often.

 

[Trey T]

Time to get some, mainly 17mm, 19mm, and 21mm

 

[Lou0000]

use these from schwaben pretty inexpensive around $20 and they work pretty good, although i havent used them with an impact gun yet.

 

[NiteWolf]

I have the color coded lug nut sockets for HFT they work for what I need, but haven't used on a impact sense I don't have one.

 

[DoubleA]

I just bought one 19/21 blue point thinwall flip socket for $20. I use it for everything. Sometimes I have to pull out a 17 or a 22 impact socket but I've never needed a thinwall in those sizes.

 

[dodge610]

I have the color coded lug nut sockets for HFT they work for what I need, but haven't used on a impact sense I don't have one.

I have the same set and have used mine with the impact and my breaker bar and they work great either way no marring of the lugs at all. Also have had no problem on stock or after market rims.

 

[Requin6]

use these from schwaben pretty inexpensive around $20 and they work pretty good, although i havent used them with an impact gun yet.

I use these as well. (Really only use the red 21mm on my Nissan's). They work great. I've used it with both air and cordless impact guns, no troubles. Protect the wheels nicely!

 

[greasemonkey44]

i have a blue point thin wall flip i got from the snapon man a while back; its pretty sweet
before that i just used regular deeps, or for the really crazy rims i used thinwall 3/8 gp duo sockets adapted up