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Low profile Allen/hex bit wrenches?

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bimmer630

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Is there an actual name for a spanner/wrench style tool with an allen bit attached to the end?

Im trying to find something for a tight spot on a bmw transfer case. The drain in the T-case is facing the transmission pan, and you cannot get a wrench in there. I ended up welding a 14mm nut to a short bolt and turning it with a wrench, but it would be nice to find something for the future, that would be something like a long zero offset wrench with a 14mm short allen bit insert attached to the end.
Bavauto makes this tool https://www.bavauto.com/bmw-wrench-...SeLNNtBtrypaHotnhdECb1GGKvE1gG_YaAnHaEALw_wcB

... But Im not sure exactly how long the allen bit is. If its too long, I can obviously cut it down, but id rather buy a tool that just works.
 
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bimmer630

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d4166106c4789d5c80472ac6523069cc.jpg

This is the drain plug


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wkndwarrior29

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You're looking for the ez red wc100 wrench insert set - I'm surprised there wasn't a diy suggesting it.

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pbon

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They do make them and I have a set. Forget who. You can also take a regular Allen socket, cut off the Allen part, put it in the bolt and use an open or box End wrench to loosen/tighten.
 
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bimmer630

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that EZ red wrench insert/connection set looks awesome! and yes pbon I understand I can cut something and make stuff.. I just wondered if anyone actually made something. I have this Mercedes drain plug wrench made by Hazet that would work perfect if I cut the allen bit shorter, but I dont want to, lol
 
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Mr Ratchet

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You could make you own with a ratcheting wrench and a hex bit shank the correct size. Then you can cut it to any length you want.
Can you use a regular hex bolt instead? Break it loose with the box end and then the open end until it finger loose.
 
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bimmer630

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the EZ red kit is out of production... Bummer...


And you would think that It would be cheap and easy to by hex bit stock. I can buy a harbor freight socket for 5 bucks and cut/remove the allen shank off of it, but thats just silly. Ive been looking online and there surprisingly arent many places to get such a thing. Even Mcmaster/carr
 
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wkndwarrior29

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I didn't realize they were discontinuing them. Either you bought the $25 set on eBay as I was googling it or someone read this thread and got a jump on you. For what it's worth, I'd spend the $50 and buy a set from Amazon while you can - I can't tell you how many times they were useful for me.

What kind of BMW are you working on?

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5ktq

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That looks like you can crack it with the short end of a key, and spin it out with the ball end. I'm guessing that isn't actually the case though?

I'd imagine the dealer uses one of these, hazet 2760
6053913.jpg


But for the price of one of those I'd probably cut down a 14mm key, and install it in a cheap wrench with a setscrew. You could use a ratcheting wrench and do both ends, I guess if clearance is tight enough you could hold the bit in with green loctite..?
 
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5ktq

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Ps bondhus sells just the bits without sockets (try searching "prohold bit" - but it's cheaper to just buy a key and cut it).
 
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bimmer630

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8e9d1eb9bbdfa3387fd331548da3a9cb.jpg

I have the hazet, although mine has a 13mm box end. The Allen end is the same though. And it doesn’t fit.

I bought the EZ red kit. Nobody got a jump on me..


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stonesfan68

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I bought a Gearwrench 14mm hex socket and drove the bit out of the socket. I have that Hazet wrench that I bought years ago for a Mercedes Benz but it was too big to fit.
 
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pbon

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bimmer630 said:
that EZ red wrench insert/connection set looks awesome! and yes pbon I understand I can cut something and make stuff.. I just wondered if anyone actually made something. I have this Mercedes drain plug wrench made by Hazet that would work perfect if I cut the allen bit shorter, but I dont want to, lol
Click to expand...

I think I have copies of the EZ Red that come in black boxes in both sae and metric. But others make them like sunex and vems and you can find them on amazon. I fugured you wanted to get the job done now, so I suggested cutting a long hex socket or Allen key — that is what I did although I later bought the stubby ones.
 
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bimmer630

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pbon said:
I think I have copies of the EZ Red that come in black boxes in both sae and metric. But others make them like sunex and vems and you can find them on amazon. I fugured you wanted to get the job done now, so I suggested cutting a long hex socket or Allen key — that is what I did although I later bought the stubby ones.
Click to expand...



Yeah the job is done, this was last week I think. I made this lil thing, but I’m a tool snob and want to have something “correct” for next time 6cde4736d439c6e88f4fe7bcdad0c1a5.jpg


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dede2897234

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bimmer630 said:
Is there an actual name for a spanner/wrench style tool with an allen bit attached to the end?

Im trying to find something for a tight spot on a bmw transfer case. The drain in the T-case is facing the transmission pan, and you cannot get a wrench in there. I ended up welding a 14mm nut to a short bolt and turning it with a wrench, but it would be nice to find something for the future, that would be something like a long zero offset wrench with a 14mm short allen bit insert attached to the end.
Bavauto makes this tool https://www.bavauto.com/bmw-wrench-...SeLNNtBtrypaHotnhdECb1GGKvE1gG_YaAnHaEALw_wcB

... But Im not sure exactly how long the allen bit is. If its too long, I can obviously cut it down, but id rather buy a tool that just works.
Click to expand...


bimmer630,

For the next time you need a 14mm stubby hex tool, consider the VIM Tools 3/8" drive, 1/2 cut, stubby hex socket set: LINK.


Dave
 
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bimmer630

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aczr2k said:
Snap on makes the socket, combined with a low pro ratchet.

https://store.snapon.com/Low-Profil...MW5-Differential-Fill-Plug-14-mm-P649054.aspx
Click to expand...
\

That still wouldnt fit. I have a picture of essentially the same sized socket from VIM at the beginning of this thread. you cannot get a ratchet on the socket, Even a low profile one (I have a set of the SO low profile sockets and ratchet coming in tomorrow, hopefully.. But I ordered those a while back for another reason)

The Atd wrench connector/low profile allen kit will be perfect for this.
 
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bimmer630

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Michael_in_DE said:
Damn german cars. What a pita. Hate my wifes.
Click to expand...


Ehhh I dunno man. Ive been wrenching on German cars(mostly BMW. Audi/VW is another story and I have found that there would always be some weird hard to access fastener on those cars. Seems like they are on a lower level of engineering quality compared to Porsche-BMW-Benz) for a LONG time, And I can do most anything on these cars with a small set of tools. I changed jobs for a while and was wrenching on everything, and found myself investing a LOT of money in tools to get things done on Asian and American stuff.

Guys I worked with at BMW dealerships usually got by fine with a small set of basic tools.
Every now and then something like this drain plug access issue will pop up, and Im guessing its because whoever designed their transfer case wasnt the same guy that worked for ZF designing their transmission pans, haha
 
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WWheeler

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I'd just cut a appropriate length chunk off whatever size hex wrench fits and turn it with an open end wrench. Once cracked loose, spin it out with my fingers.
 
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bimmer630

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WWheeler said:
I'd just cut a appropriate length chunk off whatever size hex wrench fits and turn it with an open end wrench. Once cracked loose, spin it out with my fingers.
Click to expand...

Well of course! And that’s what essentially I did do, but i want the right tool for it, next time
 
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JBradley500

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Would he be possible to put a different plug in there that you could just get out with a wrench?
 
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