I recently removed & installed intake & exhaust mahifolds on BMW M54 inline six. Studs are 7mm thread, hex nuts are 11mm. That 1/4 drive 11mm socket has been hanging around my toolbox since the 90s, taking up space! Finally had its moment in the sun. I really didn't think I'd ever use it.
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Question about sockets
- Thread starter Sbl777
- Start date
Old Man Roger
Well-known member
I’ve used 11 mm a bunch, but they may have been sloppy 7/16.
I work on Alfa Romeo, Bertone, Lancia, Fiat, and a Ram pickup. I'm not sure the Italians had a standard. I know they were not always consistent about fasteners from year to year. Between the vehicles and Random projects around the house I have every finally filled in all my socket holders with no skips. It is nice to be able to glance at the toll cart and be able to tell that they have all been put back.
I'll bet my sockets are from at least a dozen different brands.
I'll bet my sockets are from at least a dozen different brands.
nadogail
Well-known member
IMHO, The only consistentcy has been their inconsistencyI work on Alfa Romeo, Bertone, Lancia, Fiat, and a Ram pickup. I'm not sure the Italians had a standard. I know they were not always consistent about fasteners from year to year. Between the vehicles and Random projects around the house I have every finally filled in all my socket holders with no skips. It is nice to be able to glance at the toll cart and be able to tell that they have all been put back.
I'll bet my sockets are from at least a dozen different brands.
Old Man Roger
Well-known member
So many of the worlds problems can be solved with a bigger box.lolClearly you need a full size top box, and a mid-box. The box you’re using now can go on the floor, until you buy a small roller to go under it.
The words “Bigger Box” are Garage Journals version of “42“ from The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy.
Dave455
Well-known member
Well there you go!I recently removed & installed intake & exhaust mahifolds on BMW M54 inline six. Studs are 7mm thread, hex nuts are 11mm. That 1/4 drive 11mm socket has been hanging around my toolbox since the 90s, taking up space! Finally had its moment in the sun. I really didn't think I'd ever use it.
In theory, the 7mm is a “non preferred” size under ISO, so might be seen less.
But in reality, as soon as you move away from standard fasteners, and start dealing with flange nuts, studs, hydraulic fittings, banjo fittings - or whatever, all bets are off!
And this is always the problem I have found with metric. I can fix pretty much anything found on a car with about 4 or 5 Whitworth sizes. I need at least 7 to cover the same range in SAE, and about 11 for metric!
In theory you only need about 5 “standard” sizes, but there are too many standards, and too many “specials”.
VolvoRyan
Well-known member
There are lots of standards, but decades of legacy baggage driving what you see on a car.
-Ryan
-Ryan
The BMW I'm working on is a 2003, I think it must have been a transitional era from DIN to ISO or something. I need pretty much every size from 8mm to 19mm- except 12mm, I don't think I've encountered those on this car.Well there you go!
In theory, the 7mm is a “non preferred” size under ISO, so might be seen less.
But in reality, as soon as you move away from standard fasteners, and start dealing with flange nuts, studs, hydraulic fittings, banjo fittings - or whatever, all bets are off!
And this is always the problem I have found with metric. I can fix pretty much anything found on a car with about 4 or 5 Whitworth sizes. I need at least 7 to cover the same range in SAE, and about 11 for metric!
In theory you only need about 5 “standard” sizes, but there are too many standards, and too many “specials”.
I just did an engine swap though, so I was into just about everything under the hood.
Dave455
Well-known member
Yes, I think you are dead right.The BMW I'm working on is a 2003, I think it must have been a transitional era from DIN to ISO or something. I need pretty much every size from 8mm to 19mm- except 12mm, I don't think I've encountered those on this car.
I just did an engine swap though, so I was into just about everything under the hood.
I’ve got a 2005, and that’s pretty much ISO - 16’s and 18’s, but the crucial words are “pretty much” - there are always the odd one or two that escaped the change. And of course the wheel bolts are 17mm, and the hose clips are 6mm, not 5.5 or 7, and…. and…
Good job on the engine swap. Mine is all original - 122k, but due to age I’ve had to swap just about every gasket, most of the brake and suspension components, and all manner of plastic parts.
I too own only Japanese vehicles, six of them. I keep all of the sockets and here’s why.
1. Once friends and family found out I can fix cars, they asked for help and they don’t all drive japanese cars.
2. On occasion damaged or rusted bolts required using the oddball sizes to fit.
3. I still buy sets as it’s way cheaper than buying them individually even if you account for unneeded sizes. I solved some of the overstocking issue by buying Japanese brand tools such as Koken and KTC as their sets are typically only include sizes used for Japanese cars.
1. Once friends and family found out I can fix cars, they asked for help and they don’t all drive japanese cars.
2. On occasion damaged or rusted bolts required using the oddball sizes to fit.
3. I still buy sets as it’s way cheaper than buying them individually even if you account for unneeded sizes. I solved some of the overstocking issue by buying Japanese brand tools such as Koken and KTC as their sets are typically only include sizes used for Japanese cars.
Old Man Roger
Well-known member
I’ve worked on everything from tiny remote control helicopters to garbage trucks, and everything in between. I don’t think I have an unused tool, and like a lot of garage journal members, I have a metric **** ton of them..lol
Pinemarten
Well-known member
This thread is a Gold Mine of good advice for the OP. And we haven't even gotten to the "where will I need the tool" question. In my case, tools in the Toyota Tacoma won't help if I'm riding my motorcycle. Tools at home only help out at home............etc.
I'd suggest you buy sets and lay in an emergency stash in your vehicle(s), and the motherland for home. You also should consider getting some SAE (Imperial) sockets/wrenches to work on older US stuff and other tools or equipment made in that standard.
I'd suggest you buy sets and lay in an emergency stash in your vehicle(s), and the motherland for home. You also should consider getting some SAE (Imperial) sockets/wrenches to work on older US stuff and other tools or equipment made in that standard.
Using a single tool is a nice thing. Easier to zip it off with an over powered tool, rather than having another tool to carry or get out. (And m6 12.9 torque specs hit 20 NM/15 ft-lbs. Allow for lock tite, galling, or other corrosion, and they can take a surprising amount of torque to get loose.) Putting it back together, you probably don't want to use the 1/2 impact, of course.Agreed. I've never quite understood what scenario might feasibly call for a 1/2" impact on an 8 or 10mm fastener. I mean, you can easily twist these right off by hand.
GX460DIYguy
Well-known member
This. I’ve always bought sets before and having Toyota and Lexus vehicles means that I really only need 8, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 24, 30, and 35. Since I’ve started doing most of the work on my vehicles I’ve started getting singles in just what I need along with any specialty tools. I still have a couple 11 and 13 sockets and wrenches for aftermarket stuff, but I’m tired of buying unnecessary sizes.Why do you keep buying sets? Just buy the sockets you need. The rest either sit in the drawer, or you sell/give them away
LWB
Well-known member
I have full sets in my main box and started buying select semi deep for the cart. Sets don't really take up that much room as long as you don't go crazy. I only have one row of 1/2" deep in impact. It saves a lot of space.
Thanks! Mine is about the same. Mostly 16 & 18 but the occasional 15 (I forget where) and 17 (wheel bolts, alternator B+ cable nut, and other random places). The engine swap wasn't overly difficult, just a lot of steps. I tagged every electrical connector and vac hose during disassembly which helped a lot. I don't have a lift or even a cherry picker. I removed the front bumper & rad support, and rolled the whole subframe, engine, and gearbox out on a motorcycle/atv lift and furniture dolly. Car was on jack stands, it wasn't bad to do. I bought a set of Tekton 3/8 dr. E-torx sockets for this project, required for bellhousing & starter bolts, and a couple other places.Yes, I think you are dead right.
I’ve got a 2005, and that’s pretty much ISO - 16’s and 18’s, but the crucial words are “pretty much” - there are always the odd one or two that escaped the change. And of course the wheel bolts are 17mm, and the hose clips are 6mm, not 5.5 or 7, and…. and…
Good job on the engine swap. Mine is all original - 122k, but due to age I’ve had to swap just about every gasket, most of the brake and suspension components, and all manner of plastic parts.
Car is an E46 wagon, AWD. Here in the US they were only sold as 325 models, no 3 liter option. My original 2.5 engine had low compression in cyl. #4 so I installed a M54b30 3 liter. Reflashed the DME to 3L spec and it runs well now.
TLDR= glad I have no skip sets!!