Educate me on Wobble Drives please

[bobg03]

Are there any advantages to a wobble drive extension? I have always typically used a flex joint, which we know can be a PITA at times on those rare occasions when angular dexterity is needed and it's usually on a 1/4" drive.

Is a wobble drive really that helpful?

 

[4xdog]

I use wobble extensions more than regular ones, since finding my first on (a Snap-on) by the side of the road while biking many years ago. I’ve since bought more, in both 1/4” and 3/8” in various lengths.

There are wobble extensions that also lock by pushing the socket on farther. They work OK and sometimes I’ll use one, but most of the time it’s dedicated wobble or dedicated fixed.

They're a helluva lot more convenient than a universal drive or one of the springy flex drives.

 

[jonshonda]

It's hard for me to imagine the advantages and disadvantages to not be obvious.

 

[lardy1]

I use mine when I just need that little bit of offset. Look into Felo if you're buying 1/4". Very nice.

 

[vavet]

U-joints can rob a lot of the torque. The wobble joints are great when you need just a little bit off offset. They're not as springy/flexy as a u-joint, but still allow your socket to make good contant with the fastener.

 

[Lucid Moments]

I am not a huge fan of them, but they can certainly be useful. I prefer a wobble socket when I need something like that, but that is a whole additional set of sockets so costs more in both money and storage.

 

[Bubba Fett]

Strait extensions are better if you need to reach something laterally. Wobble extensions will sag, especially if you need to string multiple together. However, wobble extensions do make it easier to get to fasteners without having to be perfectly perpendicular. Universal joints allow even more offset, but they can add bulk and create a potential weak point.

 

[u2slow]

I dig the wobbles. Sometimes connect 2 together for hard to reach places, like bellhousing bolts on a vehicle.

 

[VolvoRyan]

I don't have any universal adapters in my tool box. As they age, they get sloppy. Wobbles are less bulky and work just as well.... until they break.

-Ryan

 

[budget76]

I dig the wobbles. Sometimes connect 2 together for hard to reach places, like bellhousing bolts on a vehicle.

I stacked a couple extensions and was able to loosen/remove all of the upper bolts from behind the transmission. Couldn't have done that with straight extensions. That bit itself sold me on wobbles forever

they are annoying for certain things, but like someone above said, when you need them they are perfect. I despise the universal sockets/adapters for just about any use even though I've got full sets

 

[bobg03]

It's hard for me to imagine the advantages and disadvantages to not be obvious.

Is that a polite way to insult ones intelligence?

I made a good living without ever turning a wrench for profit nor have I ever set foot on a tool truck, if it wasn't for this site I may have been dead before I ever even heard of this tool...

For the other posters thanks for the information...I guess it's obvious to me now...

 

[jonshonda]

Is that a polite way to insult ones intelligence?

Not necessarily, just never been puzzled by how something like that would work. It is also early on a Monday morning, so unintentional insults may be evident.

A straight extension is used when the extension is perpendicular to the fastener. A wobble extension allows use at obtuse angles. A straight extension isn't good at obtuse angles, and a wobble is less then ideal being used perpendicular as the sockets will be like a big floppy donkey ****!

 

[unslow1]

The big advantage of the wobble extension is have a much more controllable flex. It also isn't huge like the universal.

 

[lardy1]

The OP may also want to explore the pro's and con's of the wobble extensions that will also engage like a standard extension by inserting it a bit farther. I'm not sure which brands do or don't have that feature but I do know some prefer it and some dislike it.

 

[vavet]

Is that a polite way to insult ones intelligence?

I made a good living without ever turning a wrench for profit nor have I ever set foot on a tool truck, if it wasn't for this site I may have been dead before I ever even heard of this tool...

For the other posters thanks for the information...I guess it's obvious to me now...

I'm pretty sure I've asked some dumb question on this forum and others. I've asked about things that might have been obvious to other people, but they weren't obvious to me at the time, hence the question. This forum is here to give us a place to learn and teach. Most people can do that.

 

[FMB4]

I have universals, a set of SAE 3/8" uni-sockets, and several wobble extension and adaptors. All are good to have around when needed (which isn't very often in my case these days).

As for universals, I long ago learned from an old mechanic to wrap them with a layer or two of electrical tape as means of keeping them from flopping around. This actually works great.

 

[RedneckWelder]

A lot of time a wobble extension will go where a universal socket (either ujoint chrome or impact style) won’t go.

 

[bobg03]

A lot of time a wobble extension will go where a universal socket (either ujoint chrome or impact style) won’t go.

Good, I am not blind to the obvious as pointed out earlier. I am about to take my 63rd trip around the sun and have yet to have performed a task where I realized I didn't have something that could make it easier...

I have already passed on more than 50% of my tools to my stepson because at this point I won't be doing much as I wither away. I guess they can say on my headstone that I didn't know what a wobble was...lol

 

[Wakefield]

The OP may also want to explore the pro's and con's of the wobble extensions that will also engage like a standard extension by inserting it a bit farther. I'm not sure which brands do or don't have that feature but I do know some prefer it and some dislike it.

I wonder if the locking wobble is as strong as a plain non-wobble extension when pushed all the way in(locked)
big deal of using the wobble when a plain one will do is that the wobble isn't as strong

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I wonder if the locking wobble is as strong as a plain non-wobble extension when pushed all the way in(locked)
big deal of using the wobble when a plain one will do is that the wobble isn't as strong

There is objectively less metal in a wobble plus style, than a solid extension.
Above 1/4 drive most decent quality stuff is plenty strong even in standard wobble form. With infinite torque applied, less metal will be more apt to break.

 

[CS454]

I wonder if the locking wobble is as strong as a plain non-wobble extension when pushed all the way in(locked)
big deal of using the wobble when a plain one will do is that the wobble isn't as strong

I twisted the end off of 3 different Snap On Wobble Plus 3/8" extensions with an 11" long ratchet whilst locked, my Mac chrome non-wobble 3/8" have taken the bellhousing bolts out of Freightliners with an impact without complaint.

 

[wafrederick]

Useless,wear out and the socket falls off overtime

 

[DAustin]

Weebles wobble, but they don't fall down.

 

[kelpaso1]

Useless,wear out and the socket falls off overtime

Ya if you buy cheap ones. Have my snap-on's for 30 years now and have never broken one or socket "falling" off/

 

[Ton ton]

Not necessarily, just never been puzzled by how something like that would work. It is also early on a Monday morning, so unintentional insults may be evident.

A straight extension is used when the extension is perpendicular to the fastener. A wobble extension allows use at obtuse angles. A straight extension isn't good at obtuse angles, and a wobble is less then ideal being used perpendicular as the sockets will be like a big floppy donkey ****!

LOL. You are hilarious.

 

[jonshonda]

LOL. You are hilarious.

I do my best!

 

[Firebrick43]

Wobble extensions, not drives. Wobble drives are on sickle bar mowers.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Ya if you buy cheap ones. Have my snap-on's for 30 years now and have never broken one or socket "falling" off/

I abuse my 1/4 stuff pretty hard. and snap on is worth the cost. SK, gear wrench, koken .... snap on wobbles have the best life, with SK being in second place only failing when used in questionable ways usually. Koken were very nice to use, but broke easier.

Koken and their meaty knurling is very nice for normal extensions though.

 

[FredWanaker]

Bonney used to make an outstanding one. Combine that with a swivel head type joint and one can get a lot of degrees of angle on a rogue bolt, like down on a manifold, or bell housing, in just a short 1 1/2" - 2" distance, It doesn't bind like a universal joint does, and it is a lot more strong too.

 

[charbar]

I have some Snap On ones that are wobble but lock on straight if you push the socket on all the way. Worthless in my opinion. Thank God I got them as promotional **** otherwise I would be pissed if I actually had to hand over cash for them.

Either the socket is always falling off, or the one in a million times you actually want to use the 'wobble' feature you just end up pushing the socket onto the extension that extra 1/8" or whatever and locking it on solid anyway. I avoid using them when I can, however the majority of my 1/4" extensions are this style. Should trade them for the regular style. I remember I did that years back when I won a set of the wobble extensions in 3/8" drive and had my Snap On man exchange them for regulars.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

SO regular extensions, SO universal adapters, & SO sockets work well together so far, not yet requiring wobble extensions. Aways open to buy more tools.

 

[rd65]

I'm pretty sure I've asked some dumb question on this forum and others. I've asked about things that might have been obvious to other people, but they weren't obvious to me at the time, hence the question. This forum is here to give us a place to learn and teach. Most people can do that.

there always has to be that guy who acts like he was born with all the knowledge. no one ever helped him out, taught him anything. irritating

 

[Jagmandave]

I bought a set from Harbor Freight in the 90's, and I still use them all the time - nothing is worn out nor do the sockets fall off. I don't use them with an impact tho, just regular ratchets. I think they are a super handy thing to have in the tool box.....

 

[wafrederick]

Ya if you buy cheap ones. Have my snap-on's for 30 years now and have never broken one or socket "falling" off/

My dad has a Snap On one that will not hold a socket,worn out

 

[Balor]

I use a 3" snap-on wobble extension for my 3/8" and 1/4" ratchets, if I need longer I use my regular extensions.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

My dad has a Snap On one that will not hold a socket,worn out

Warranty it then.

Doesnt mean the concept of the tool is no good, just that the tools has met the end of it's useful life and needs replaced. Detent ball springs break, universal joints get sloppy, it just happens.

 

[M635_Guy]

It's hard for me to imagine the advantages and disadvantages to not be obvious.

U-joints can rob a lot of the torque. The wobble joints are great when you need just a little bit off offset. They're not as springy/flexy as a u-joint, but still allow your socket to make good contant with the fastener.

See how easy it is to imagine??

Not necessarily, just never been puzzled by how something like that would work. It is also early on a Monday morning, so unintentional insults may be evident.

A straight extension is used when the extension is perpendicular to the fastener. A wobble extension allows use at obtuse angles. A straight extension isn't good at obtuse angles, and a wobble is less then ideal being used perpendicular as the sockets will be like a big floppy donkey ****!

Ooooo - much superior. So pro...

 

[FredWanaker]

The third at the top is a conventions universal joint which typically is junk and light duty only. They fold over and break easily..

The second up is a swivel and a wobble. It stays together, and allows a great deal of torque on a nut or bolt that is at an unusual angle, or one that is offset and cannot be reached straight like a bell housing bolt.

The bottom one is a straight extension

If you've had the need to use the middle one, either with or without a swivel, you know there is no substitute, unless you prefer cutting holes with a hole saw in a firewall to reach bell housing bolts. I don't, and have used the wobble with or without a swivel so many times in 45 years that I can't count them.

 

[Jagmandave]

I have used the swivel with a wobble but I find it easier to use either the first type - or one like that with the socket built in, but you're right they can - like any u-joint - bind in certain positions.

Wobble extensions are like any tool, they all have a place in your toolbox depending on what you work on.

For me they work particularly well at getting to the nuts for the intake manifold at the cylinder head on classic Minis. The intake is at the back of the head on these cars and there's very little room to get any sort of a tool on these nuts. A 3" wobble extension is just right and allows just enough offset to easily remove them.

I also like wobble extensions for removing spark plugs without breaking them when they suddenly break loose and the socket cants over - with a wobble extension, the extension cants over instead and doesn't break the plug.

 

[4xdog]

A short wobble extension on a 1/4" drive flex-head ratchet is just the ticket for taking off the otherwise tricky nuts holding a Triumph TR3 fuel pump to the block.