GearWrench Oil Drain Plug Socket Set

[Mr. Tool]

Happen to come across this oil drain plug socket set by GearWrench and was wondering if anyone here in GJF actually has this set?

I remember years ago buying a set from Harbor Freight that was basically the exact same thing like it, made by Pittsburgh Tools. I liked the fact the sockets are color coded for quick recognition on size.

A couple of things though is that it did not come with the ratchet or the fancy dark gray plastic case. The sockets are used with a normal 3/8" ratchet with an extension if needed. Unlike the one's GearWrench designed sockets with it's groove's, to be used only with the special 3/8" designed ratchet that come's with the set. Sad thing about it though is that it looks like it could not be used with an extension if needed.

I believe Harbor Freight quit carrying that particular set a long time ago because I haven't seen it displayed there for years now.

It only came wrapped in cheap see through hard plastic covering that eventually broke apart over time. It also did not say GearWrench on it. Each socket is magnetic and just has the size printed on it along with those now famous three words...."MADE IN CHINA" ...we're all familar with.

Still though I've come to use those sockets from time to time.

 

[Fedwrench]

I have the set. It's handy for keeping your fingers off a hot drain plug and away from hotter oil My set is older and is Taiwan vintage. I found a kobalt pass through flex head ratchet at cripe that works well with the sockets.
However, i don't use them that much lately as since i bought OTC's drain plug buddy (magnet on a spiral cable attached to a screwdriver handle) which is great for avoiding hot oil and keeping control of the drain plug.

 

[rmsg0040]

Another vote for the OTC drain plug tool, you can still turn the drain plug when the tool is bent in a "U" shape

 

[Snakebyt]

i have that set, i use it on a daily basis, or at least the sockets, the ratchet, only used a few times

 

[Mr. Tool]

Here are a couple of pictures of the one's made by Pittsburgh Tools that I mentioned in my first post from Harbor Freight.

 

[wombat31x]

Yet another vote for the OTC drain plug tool. It has saved me from so many scalded fingers and hands.

 

[marineman]

I had no idea that OTC tool existed, it's now on my ever growing amazon wishlist thanks to this site.

 

[crf450x]

The ratchet is useless. Not long enough to loosen most drain plugs.

The sockets are great. They make it easy to spin the plug off by hand and help tremendously with not dropping it. Plus you don't have to get all your normal sockets covered in oil

 

[rpcraft]

If your drain plug is that tight its a problem, lol

 

[ItsNemo]

Get their 3/8" equiv pass thru set with the flex head ratchet and extension to go with this set and then you're set.

 

[PoorOwner]

I use it, still get oil over my hand all the time, but I won't drop the drain plug.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I bought the Gearwrench set through Cripe years ago, and they were set up to use with a pass through ratchet or a regular 3/8 square drive. I ended up selling them since 90% of what I work on is generators or diesels, which either has a drain valve or a plug larger than those cover.

 

[Tallpilot]

Get their 3/8" equiv pass thru set with the flex head ratchet and extension to go with this set and then you're set.

Buy the serpentine belt tool instead. Then you end up with the metric pass through sockets, locking flex head wrench and the lever arm.

 

[Wamsutta]

My favorite tool for drain plugs is the Snap-on XBM series wrenches.

 

[WWheeler]

I have the set. It's handy for keeping your fingers off a hot drain plug and away from hotter oil My set is older and is Taiwan vintage. I found a kobalt pass through flex head ratchet at cripe that works well with the sockets.

However, i don't use them that much lately as since i bought OTC's drain plug buddy (magnet on a spiral cable attached to a screwdriver handle) which is great for avoiding hot oil and keeping control of the drain plug.

Another vote for the OTC drain plug tool, you can still turn the drain plug when the tool is bent in a "U" shape

Yet another vote for the OTC drain plug tool. It has saved me from so many scalded fingers and hands.

Another vote here for the best oil drain plug invention ever. There's no need to get a drop of oil on your hands from the plug anymore. As for the filter, that's still hit & miss.

 

[Tonyuk]

I use the tool above to run them off, especially if its the kind that face straight down rather than to the side.

I find a normal spanner is plenty of loosen and tighten, torque on them isn't usually any more than 30nm.

 

[joel63]

My favorite tool for drain plugs is the Snap-on XBM series wrenches.

I use the 6 point XBMxxxxS wrench.

 

[Tallpilot]

I use the tool above to run them off, especially if its the kind that face straight down rather than to the side.

I find a normal spanner is plenty of loosen and tighten, torque on them isn't usually any more than 30nm.

You must not have 10 minute oil change places in Scotland then. Here in the States those places torque it like a lug nut because that’s easier than replacing the crush washer. I guess they all must also assume they won’t be the next guy trying to take it back off.

 

[Mr. Tool]

Every vehicle's nut, bolt, nut lugs, etc. has a torque value. Just check the Service Manual for your particular model and year vehicle and it should list the torque value for the Oil Drain Plug. The torque values are there for a reason but many tend to dismiss this important factor for whatever reason.

Heck even check your vehicles Owners Manual it just might even list it there too?

Now with that being said if you take your vehicle to a quick lube & oil place, chances are they are not going to mess with setting the torque value on your vehicle (for several reasons, too many different vehicles to contend with, waste of time, etc.).

Or not even that, if you, yourself change the oil and just tighten the Oil Drain Plug snug enough, washer and all and don't bother with torque, hey that's up to you.

As for me, I change the oil myself and take the time to torque down the Oil Drain Plug, again, that's just me.

The Service Manual for my vehicle specifically states that the Oil Drain Plug should be torqued down to 40 N-m or 30 ft-lbs.

Bottom line though, hey to each their own on how they want to handle things.

 

[WWheeler]

[...] Now with that being said if you take your vehicle to a quick lube & oil place, chances are they are not going to mess with setting the torque value on your vehicle (for several reasons, too many different vehicles to contend with, waste of time, etc.). [...]

Oh hell no. Several decades ago right out of high school I managed a pizza delivery shop and common practice was to food trade with other places for food or movie tickets or even free oil changes. My drivers loved all of them, but especially the free oil changes.

Anywho, I had a litle time to kill and a stack of free oil change cards with me so what the hell, I pull in the 'Jiffy' place and they pull my truck in a bay and I head to the waiting room and pick up a mag. I just happen to glance though the window into the bay to see the guy under my truck try out by hand a couple wrong-size sockets on my drain plug before he grabbed a pair of vice grips. I started pounding on the window and yelling. He couldn't hear me. I RAN outside and into the bay where I cussed him and his manager up down and otherwise. Made sure my drain plug & filter was still in and drove the hell out of there. Never ever ever even thought of going back to any place like that ever again. Not even for free.

 

[Mr. Tool]

Heck, I don't blame you on that.

As a matter of fact I wouldn't "even consider" taking my vehicle to any place to have just the oil changed. Because, basically "nobody" is going to take care and the time to change the oil the correct way like you, yourself would.

I've heard too many horror stories from others about the bad experiences they encountered when taking their vehicle to a quick lube & oil change places. Basically they tend to just "jack up" your vehicle in more ways bad than good.

So I would highly recommend not even considering it or avoiding it at all, that is if you can help it.

I know there are several reasons why people have to go because of either they don't have the time, the area or tools, etc. but still it is a very bad and high risk to take it to one of those places.

I've been changing the oil on my vehicle since the 70's.

 

[Hytekrednek]

The LAST time I took my truck to one of the oil change places the guy would not stop trying to sell me the generic shop brand oil instead of the full synthetic I asked for. 4 or 5 times he said are you sure, this is cheaper and just as good, if not better. He was very annoying and persistent. He finally said ok, its your money to waste. A few minutes later I looked and he had 6 unlabeled bottles of oil ready to use. NO! I got out to check the oil he planned to use as I had no trust by this time for this place. The bottles had labels peeled off, and the seals were broken. They had refilled the bottles with god knows what. I snapped, screaming and cussing this shady and crooked man as I squealed my tires out of that place and headed straight to the auto parts store to just do the job myself, because I trust my work and I trust that the oil type and brand on the bottles I purchased was actually what the label said. I wish I would have had a dash cam.
And yes, I managed to get out of that joint before they drained my oil and used it to lube my **** up with.

Thanks for the post, I will check out the drain plug tools mentioned as I just use plain wrenches and sockets, getting myself very dirty while doing.

 

[Tonyuk]

You must not have 10 minute oil change places in Scotland then. Here in the States those places torque it like a lug nut because that’s easier than replacing the crush washer. I guess they all must also assume they won’t be the next guy trying to take it back off.

Nah we don't, the dealership I work in wont even do just an oil change, they either pay for a minor or major service.

Hopefully they take some reasonable care, you'll strip the threads of an aluminium pan easily if your not careful.

 

[zorrox]

While we are on the subject of oil drain plugs, have you guys seen this?

looks pretty cool, and it has a backup cap in case it fails, but idk if I would use it. I think I would still be paranoid about it failing and blowing my engine. I'm also thinking the threads would go into the pan a bit and you wouldn't get all the oil at the bottom while draining

 

[Orangestang]

Buy some Harbor Freight gloves and grab a wrench and rag. Don't need special sockets.

 

[Mr. Tool]

There are several types of adapters available to replace the Oil Drain Plug on your vehicle.

Here is one that was popular on another forum for trucks.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HTV2N4E/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Just do an internet search and you'll find a few.

 

[WWheeler]

I could never trust replacing the drain plug with one of those contraptions. It would drive me crazy. My riding mower came new with a similar setup and one of the first things I did was replace it with a short piece of threaded pipe and a plug.

 

[Mr. Tool]

I could never trust replacing the drain plug with one of those contraptions. It would drive me crazy. My riding mower came new with a similar setup and one of the first things I did was replace it with a short piece of threaded pipe and a plug.

I'm with you on that, cause I feel the same way. No thanks, I'll just stick to the original old fashion way, just remove the Oil Drain Plug and let the oil drain. Then once done, replace the Oil Drain Plug, tighten down by torque.

 

[zorrox]

There are several types of adapters available to replace the Oil Drain Plug on your vehicle.

Here is one that was popular on another forum for trucks.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HTV2N4E/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Just do an internet search and you'll know find a few.

That one makes me nervous just thinking about it. All it would take is something to hit the knob and there is no fail safe.

 

[kythri]

It looks pretty much identical to a Fumoto Valve. They're totally safe, nothing is going to bump it and open the ball valve.

I've been running them on my vehicles for years. Great stuff, makes oil changes a snap.

 

[rossomania]

Maybe it's a state auto safety inspection issue (in Texas, an oil leak can stop the inspection before it starts), but the three trusted garages I use won't touch an oil drain plug these days. At all three shops, motor oil is removed using a compressor driven oil extractor and during oil filter replacement.

I even use an extractor when doing my own oil and filter changes.

I gotta say I'm a fan of leaving the oil drain plug alone. All of my current vehicles are 10 years old but I can't remember the last time I had any kind of oil leak under the car. And man, I do love a clean driveway.

What keeps you all using the oil drain plug for oil changes?

 

[toolmutt]

What keeps you all using the oil drain plug for oil changes?

I don't have an oil extractor.

 

[Mr. Tool]

Quick oil drain........http://fumotousa.com/


Oil Extractor......https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_390306_390306

 

[toolmutt]

Thanks for the links, Mr. Tool. I'll have to look into the extractor. With my back, it's getting harder and harder to crawl underneath. Anybody have comments on it?

 

[ChevyEFI]

I got the Gearwrench box and 6 sockets, probably from a Cripe order. I use them 99% of the time for oil changes.

Magnets could be a bit stronger. Since I use a regular flex handle 3/8" long ratchet with them, I haven't come up with a reason to add passthru ratchet or extension.

They're handy, as much as magnetic sockets can be. Since I already use a knurled spinner short extension with a lot of ratchet/socket use, the knurl on the Gearwrench sockets doesn't do much for me.

I will continue to drop pans and remove drain plugs to do oil changes hot, to let things drain out as they should.

 

[rossomania]

Thanks for the links, Mr. Tool. I'll have to look into the extractor. With my back, it's getting harder and harder to crawl underneath. Anybody have comments on it?

I own a Topsider MVP that I use exclusively for motor oil and have no complaints. It's durable and made in USA. Just make sure the 8qt capacity is sufficient for your vehicle. Got mine for less than $50.00 USD.

Pumping for me is easier on my back, but replacing the oil filters still means a trip under the car. Extracting while the oil's still warm (not hot or cold) does make things pretty easy, though.

 

[Bagherra]

While we are on the subject of oil drain plugs, have you guys seen this?

looks pretty cool, and it has a backup cap in case it fails, but idk if I would use it. I think I would still be paranoid about it failing and blowing my engine. I'm also thinking the threads would go into the pan a bit and you wouldn't get all the oil at the bottom while draining

Is that guy on something?

 

[bczygan]

Is that guy on something?

Yes!

 

[zorrox]

haha, Scotty is a bit nutty, but he's real knowledgeable. One of my favorite youtube channels.

 

[Mr. Tool]

I got the Gearwrench box and 6 sockets, probably from a Cripe order. I use them 99% of the time for oil changes.

Magnets could be a bit stronger. Since I use a regular flex handle 3/8" long ratchet with them, I haven't come up with a reason to add pass thru ratchet or extension.

They're handy, as much as magnetic sockets can be. Since I already use a knurled spinner short extension with a lot of ratchet/socket use, the knurl on the Gearwrench sockets doesn't do much for me.

I will continue to drop pans and remove drain plugs to do oil changes hot, to let things drain out as they should.

If you could, please post pictures of both ratchets, close up shots?

Isn't the original ratchet open with grooves used on the special design sockets in the GearWrench set?

Did you have to get a special designed flex ratchet to use for those sockets?