Looking for a decent, but not high dollar deep pass thru socket set

[VolvoRyan]

So far I've just been able to use a hex wrench to do them for BMW, Mazda, and Honda. Can't remember what we did for the Volvo.

The P2/P3 chassis Volvos seem to be using a torx bit from above on the Genuine (Sachs) dampers. IIRC, the strut nut sits fairly "proud" of the mounts, so you don't need anything fancy to get at them. On the old 240's, the nut was sunk pretty low in the bearing/mount, so you needed something "deep" to get at the nut. Koni, Sachs, and Bilstein are all different when it comes to counterholding the strut.

I have one of the end-run first-gen (P2 chassis) XC90's. That's been pretty good, but it's an after-the-fact SUV on a car chassis, so it eats strut mounts. They're super easy to change, and you don't have to compress the spring to swap them. But I've had to take the strut nuts on/off several times. Gotta use the right counterholds. No air tools.

-Ryan

 

[ching0n]

On these; the extension is hollow which is what makes the hollow sockets deep.

bahco:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005HVWRU8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V33MGFR/?tag=atomicindus08-20

SAE and Metric Go-Thru Socket Set, 21-Piece

Amazing deals on this 21Pc Sae/Metric Go-Thru Socket Set at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

If you don't need the offset, ratchet wrenches or some w/a small offset could work:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CBLQB5BJ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[tak1313]

I need to replace the front & rear struts on the 2016 Explorer. For the front, YouTube states I need a deep 21 or 22 mm pass thru socket for the front & 17 or 18 mm crows foot for the rear. I can't verify the size because my daughter has the car at school.

Icon has the crows foot, although the HF I went to today didn't have the metric set.

Nobody seems to stock a deep pass thru socket set that includes 21 or 22 mm.

Looking for a decent, but not high dollar deep pass thru socket set. Any suggestions on a safe place to order and a decent brand?
I see nothing from Craftsman, icon, gear wrench, kobalt, or husky.

I have about 2.5 weeks to procure these tools.

If you can use a 22mm, I've used an offset O2 socket to do that



Not sure if they come in 21mm since 22 is kinda "universal." When I had to do a SAAB we had years and years ago, I just used a deep offset box end. This is a snip of a VW Vortex, but same thing/depth.



But of course, if the intent is to get a new tool, then...

 

[Citation]

If you can use a 22mm, I've used an offset O2 socket to do that



Not sure if they come in 21mm since 22 is kinda "universal." When I had to do a SAAB we had years and years ago, I just used a deep offset box end. This is a snip of a VW Vortex, but same thing/depth.



But of course, if the intent is to get a new tool, then...

That offset wrench is the thing I suggested. Seems like the cheapest reasonable option.

 

[Wrench97]

Usually you can remove and install with a deep socket on a impact gun in a pinch.
Just make sure you have the spring compressor set up correctly.
Or take the easy way and use already assembled quick struts.

 

[ching0n]

I need to replace the front & rear struts on the 2016 Explorer. For the front, YouTube states I need a deep 21 or 22 mm pass thru socket for the front & 17 or 18 mm crows foot for the rear. I can't verify the size because my daughter has the car at school.

Icon has the crows foot, although the HF I went to today didn't have the metric set.

Nobody seems to stock a deep pass thru socket set that includes 21 or 22 mm.

Looking for a decent, but not high dollar deep pass thru socket set. Any suggestions on a safe place to order and a decent brand?

I see nothing from Craftsman, icon, gear wrench, kobalt, or husky.

I have about 2.5 weeks to procure these tools.

maybe I should've read the whole post. Can you chop off w/grinder the driver end off a normal deep socket and/or drill it out? Then use vice grips and/or weld a handle?

This is the ghetto need it done yesterday route I'd take.

 

[Etchase]

Well, it looks like what I need

But I guess we shall see about the quality. Not so good, if we go by the description on the label.

"18-piece special tool set for the five-corner sleeve of the saucer-type sub-pump"

Did it arrive yet? I’m curious how the quality is.

 

[jade97]

Did it arrive yet? I’m curious how the quality is.

Yes, I took those pictures.

As for quality, I'll let you know after the weekend of 10/7, when the car comes home for repair.

 

[Toold_up]

Well, it looks like what I need

But I guess we shall see about the quality. Not so good, if we go by the description on the label.

"18-piece special tool set for the five-corner sleeve of the saucer-type sub-pump"

It looks like those sockets have flats that you could possibly get a wrench on too.

 

[jade97]

Well, now for my review.....

This set worked well for the nut on the front strut mount, except I needed to use a 1/4 drive extension & socket for the strut rod. They didn't have a large enough center socket part. Also used it for the sway bar link.

In the rear, I still need to buy crows foot wrenches to make sure I have the rear right enough. The plastic trim didn't allow me to use the spanner on the 18 mm socket....too deep.

What I learned on this mission is that I should consider just paying a shop to do the work.....

Buggered the threads on one of the strut mount studs & one nut. Luckily I have my trusty HF tap & die kit...

Getting the rear upper bushings pushed into the hole far enough to get the nut to start threading in....

As mentioned above, had to use a box end wrench on the fancy socket to tighten the top bolts.

Getting the front strut mount bolts tight enough using a ratcheting wrench, because a regular socket was too shallow and a deep socket wouldn't fit under the cowl.

And I found a push pin in the sidewall, that leaked when I pulled it out. So now I need to find a new tire too.

On the bright side, the motorcraft front struts came with the boot & bellows, so I can return the 2 boot kits for a refund! $36 - $8 shipping...

 

[Etchase]

That refund will buy you the crows foot. Now you need to update this thread the next time you use these specialty sockets

Thanks for the update, and the realistic outcome.

 

[Toold_up]

Ford has some preditory design to their vehicles. I had an explorer sport and that thing was not fun to work on. Now I have a navigator and the last oil change I did will be the last one I perform on the car. They engineered the vehicles with enough "this *****" to prevent the home guy from wanting to work on their vehicles. I'd rather pay someone else to deal with it now.

 

[s45]

Anyone know if these Chinese strut nut sockets are any good? Are the Schwaben ones better or are they all the same? There's also another set on Amazon by Laser but they're really expensive. I just changed a coil spring on my Golf and I want to be able to torque the strut nuts to the correct spec.

 

[M635_Guy]

Anyone know if these Chinese strut nut sockets are any good? Are the Schwaben ones better or are they all the same? There's also another set on Amazon by Laser but they're really expensive. I just changed a coil spring on my Golf and I want to be able to torque the strut nuts to the correct spec.

I have the Schwaben set (which is almost certainly just a re-label) and they're fine. For essentially the same money, I'd get that one just to have a (relatively) more accessible company to deal with in the unlikely event you need support. I doubt there's any real-world difference between them - these are not tools that see a lot of stress.

 

[s45]

I have the Schwaben set (which is almost certainly just a re-label) and they're fine. For essentially the same money, I'd get that one just to have a (relatively) more accessible company to deal with in the unlikely event you need support. I doubt there's any real-world difference between them - these are not tools that see a lot of stress.

Thanks, I ordered the Chinese ones. Was going to order the Schwabens but I am in Canada and I don't know how much duties would cost.

 

[jade97]

I have decided that I should have bought those sockets mentioned above that are cut out on the side AND the pass through socket (that I bought) AND the crows foot set (which I also bought) AND a bunch of other tools for the job at hand....

Might have been better to just pay a shop to do the job, but I wouldn't have purchased new tools....

 

[cherrybomb]

Two questions?
Bahco makes pass thru extensions,where can you buy the individuals?
Would a deep off set wrench get the job done?

 

[VolvoRyan]

Two questions?
Bahco makes pass thru extensions,where can you buy the individuals?
Would a deep off set wrench get the job done?

If the offset is just right, they can work. I've a HF deep offset that was perfect out of the box to get at strut nuts. Snap-On, not so much.

 

[jade97]

Two questions?
Bahco makes pass thru extensions,where can you buy the individuals?
Would a deep off set wrench get the job done?

Not sure if an offset wrench would have worked.

 

[Etchase]

Too late, but I found a couple less expensive solutions. First a Wurth set.

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[Etchase]

And a less expensive set from Firstinfo. Both are produced in Taiwan, and I’ve personally had good luck with both distributors products.

FIRSTINFO Low Profile Go-Through Socket Wrench 52 Pcs Set SAE/Metric, 1/4" 3/8" 1/2" Wrench, Spline Sockets For Damaged Fasteners https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08WRX822V/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Twincam1450]

You deserve a "You ****!" for that score btw!

Someone didn"t know what they had.

 

[msharley]

My garage sale score for the summer was a unused 1/2" Armstrong set for 20 bucks.






Do you have any idea whats supposed to go in the unused cutout?

The Suckage is Strong!

 

[gleman]

Someone didn"t know what they had.

The Suckage is Strong!

Every summer the community does a combined garage sale weekend. It's rural so 25 garage sales within two miles brings a lot of traffic.

That set came from a nice house in the back parts of the woods. No others tools in sight(I asked). It was sitting with the kitchen knick-knacks and old board games.

I used the 1 1/16" once and really liked the wrench handle.

After seeing the prices. I'll probably put it up for sale or trade when I go back to Michigan for the Summer.

 

[Twincam1450]

I use my set every time I work on my car. You don't need to have deep wells and standard sockets both this is both. I do admit I have the big set 3/8 and 1/4 drive both have extensions very convenient. I even found brand new old stock ratchets for both and replaced them. They were cheap on good old eBay.

 

[ChevyEFI]

a deep pass thru socket set that includes 21 or 22 mm.

13/16 1/2-drive plug socket.
7/8 Av plug socket (ask someone else if those are 1/2.)
Or 1/2 Dr 7/8 O2 sensor socket.

 

[boom10ful]

13/16 1/2-drive plug socket.
7/8 Av plug socket (ask someone else if those are 1/2.)
Or 1/2 Dr 7/8 O2 sensor socket.

That's what I used on my porsche 944!

https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-12390-Oxygen-Sensor-Wrench/dp/B001C6NE40/?tag=atomicindus08-20