Shallowest Pass-Through Socket Set?

[YoshiMoshi3]

Anyone know who makes the shallowest pass-through socket set. I'm caving in and need to buy a set. I would like something that would be equivalent to 3/8 " drive or 1/2 " drive in terms of torque I can apply to it. I know there's lots of 1/4" drive pass through sets that are extremely thin with a small handle. I need something that I can apply a lot more torque to than that.

 

[merkyworks]

Didn't say if you needed MM or SAE but Gearwrench and Harbor Freight have responably priced sets.

https://www.gearwrench.com/all-tool...e-38-drive-pass-thrutm-ratchet-and-socket-set


https://www.harborfreight.com/sae-and-metric-pass-thru-socket-set-21-piece-62305.html

 

[Cruzan80]

Weren't you the person who was already developing the list of shortest ratchets, sockets, torque wrenches, combinations thereof, etc?

How short does it need to be (or what is the tallest it could be without being taller than what you already have)?

 

[YoshiMoshi3]

Weren't you the person who was already developing the list of shortest ratchets, sockets, torque wrenches, combinations thereof, etc?

How short does it need to be (or what is the tallest it could be without being taller than what you already have)?

Hi thanks I did, but I didn't detail pass through socket sets. Seems that there are not many manufacturers.

 

[Toold_up]

I have Armstrong/Matco ratchets and sockets. Do you need measurements?


The 1/2" Armstrong ratchet+socket fits places a normal 1/4 drive ratchet+socket does not...

 

[JohnX14]

I have a Klein set. Similar to this. https://www.supplyhouse.com/Klein-T...vVTCsDIRSci_gCeCUoOo6Tq-hYDrDMUxoCGe4QAvD_BwE

 

[GeoBruin]

Does it need to be a truly pass-through socket set, or would it suffice to use a low profile socket set with an external hex drive along with a ratcheting wrench? I guess the difference is that the "pass through" capability would be limited to the respective drive sizes (the size of the square drive, whether 3/8" or 1/2" square hole, would be the largest size bolt/shaft you could pass."

If that works, I recommend the Astro nano sockets and the extended ratcheting pass through wrench.

Amazon.com

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JBJZAL4?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Cruzan80]

Hi thanks I did, but I didn't detail pass through socket sets. Seems that there are not many manufacturers.

So are you wanting to add to the list, or is this a specific need you have encountered? Not casting judgement either way.

 

[YoshiMoshi3]

Metric. Yes I was creating a database. But not for pass through sockets. There doesn't appear to be many makers of such tools. Could probably create a database, or at least compare and contrast them easily. Looks like a good amount of them all are the same and just rebranded. It seems that the longest ratchet is the GW one 893800 at 12 inches long might be the longest handled one? Yes pass through to stick an allen key in it. I guess external hex would work to, but pass through would have more room with the hallowed out design over internal square?

 

[Toold_up]

Metric. Yes I was creating a database. But not for pass through sockets. There doesn't appear to be many makers of such tools. Could probably create a database, or at least compare and contrast them easily. Looks like a good amount of them all are the same and just rebranded. It seems that the longest ratchet is the GW one 893800 at 12 inches long might be the longest handled one? Yes pass through to stick an allen key in it. I guess external hex would work to, but pass through would have more room with the hallowed out design over internal square?

I have a 24" flex head pass through.

You are out of your mind if you think you can apply 1/2 drive forces to a 1/4 drive mechanism.

 

[Rabid Badger]

I have to question the need for an ultra low profile pass-through socket set. Engineers make questionable decisions all the time, but a compound fastener in a low access area isn't something I've ever seen or heard of.

 

[mikey03]

This is the thread that got all the answers you could ever want

Which Pass Thru/Go Through Sockets/Ratchets Swap/Interchange?

Added 12 Aug 24: The main point of this thread is if you need to replace/add something and you cannot get it from the brand you have, you might find it under another brand. Also there might be NOS on Ebay or Cripe Distributing. An example: last year I needed to replace Craftsman (Sears) 3/8...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[YoshiMoshi3]

I have a 24" flex head pass through.

You are out of your mind if you think you can apply 1/2 drive forces to a 1/4 drive mechanism.

! Who makes a 24" version?

 

[Cruzan80]

Yes pass through to stick an allen key in it

Not sure this will work like you think. Most of them have a rounded section, so the Allen key can't "grab" onto anything if it passes thru.

 

[Toold_up]

! Who makes a 24" version?

Armstrong

 

[david3921]

Metric. Yes I was creating a database. But not for pass through sockets. There doesn't appear to be many makers of such tools. Could probably create a database, or at least compare and contrast them easily. Looks like a good amount of them all are the same and just rebranded. It seems that the longest ratchet is the GW one 893800 at 12 inches long might be the longest handled one? Yes pass through to stick an allen key in it. I guess external hex would work to, but pass through would have more room with the hallowed out design over internal square?

Guessing you need to disassemble/reassemble Macpherson struts?

 

[AEAdam]

I don’t understand I think ANY @YoshiMoshi3 posts. Why isn’t a box wrench the answer here? Or an offset box wrench.

I feel like the point at which you need some sort of unicorn tool is the point maybe you are just doing it wrong. The last one, I think you said the workshop manual said disconnect an engine mount and just rotate the engine to access. You didn’t want to do that. That isn’t actually that big of a deal. So you went looking for a special tool, that I think didn’t exist. Was it a low height torque wrench?

I sound annoyed and critical. Really just trying to help. The point at which you feel you need the shallowest, yet high torque, pass thru socket set, AND there are only a few manufacturers of such tools, should be your clue to start searching for another solution.

 

[YoshiMoshi3]

Armstrong

The eliminator one?

 

[YoshiMoshi3]

I don’t understand I think ANY @YoshiMoshi3 posts. Why isn’t a box wrench the answer here? Or an offset box wrench.

I feel like the point at which you need some sort of unicorn tool is the point maybe you are just doing it wrong. The last one, I think you said the workshop manual said disconnect an engine mount and just rotate the engine to access. You didn’t want to do that. That isn’t actually that big of a deal. So you went looking for a special tool, that I think didn’t exist. Was it a low height torque wrench?

I sound annoyed and critical. Really just trying to help. The point at which you feel you need the shallowest, yet high torque, pass thru socket set, AND there are only a few manufacturers of such tools, should be your clue to start searching for another solution.

My bad. I'm working on a newer accord sway bar end link that has some sort of flange around the top on the strut, preventing a flat box end from working, really kind of silly design. But yes I think I need pass through for this. Yes can just impact them off, but I've been told you don't want to do that with ball joints because hammering the ball into the bearing. Can just cut off, but may be able to reuse if they are ok shape. Extended ratchet box will also work, but I don't have a set. So getting pass through set.

 

[KnurledNut]

My bad. I'm working on a newer accord sway bar end link that has some sort of flange around the top on the strut, preventing a flat box end from working, really kind of silly design. But yes I think I need pass through for this. Yes can just impact them off, but I've been told you don't want to do that with ball joints because hammering the ball into the bearing. Can just cut off, but may be able to reuse if they are ok shape. Extended ratchet box will also work, but I don't have a set. So getting pass through set.

This?

 

[Toold_up]

I think you are over thinking this. Can you fit an off set box wrench?

 

[YoshiMoshi3]

This?

Yea I think like that. I'm getting it just in case I need it, don't think I will but I'd rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it as they say. Can just impact or cut it off, but I want to try and reuse it.

 

[YoshiMoshi3]

I think you are over thinking this. Can you fit an off set box wrench?

Probably. So the eliminator is 2 feet long? That is impressive.

 

[gleman]

Probably. So the eliminator is 2 feet long? That is impressive.

My wrench in my Armstrong set is about 11 in.



Seems kinda odd to have a 2 foot one but I guess it's possible.

 

[KnurledNut]

Yea I think like that. I'm getting it just in case I need it, don't think I will but I'd rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it as they say. Can just impact or cut it off, but I want to try and reuse it.

No judging here. I would probably grab it from behind like I pictured. But I understand trying to minimize damage by using the hex provided on the stud, especially if its not too rusty.
To stay on track, I have some of the pass-thru sockets that have a retaining ball incorporated. These can be used with any 19mm or 3/4 wrench. I have them both in 12 point spline and 6 point hex as well as a 3" extension.



This is one of those oddball scenarios where one of those french cles-a-pipe L-shaped wrenches would work too if you want to fight and cuss its short length.

 

[YoshiMoshi3]

No judging here. I would probably grab it from behind like I pictured. But I understand trying to minimize damage by using the hex provided on the stud, especially if its not too rusty.
To stay on track, I have some of the pass-thru sockets that have a retaining ball incorporated. These can be used with any 19mm or 3/4 wrench. I have them both in 12 point spline and 6 point hex as well as a 3" extension.



This is one of those oddball scenarios where one of those french cles-a-pipe L-shaped wrenches would work too if you want to fight and cuss its short length.

What's the one in the first picture

 

[Toold_up]

My wrench in my Armstrong set is about 11 in.



Seems kinda odd to have a 2 foot one but I guess it's possible.

Ok so technically it's branded Matco, but it was made by Armstrong and their Eliminator series. They also made torque wrenches in the Eliminator series.

 

[YoshiMoshi3]

Ok so technically it's branded Matco, but it was made by Armstrong and their Eliminator series. They also made torque wrenches in the Eliminator series.

This one?

Scored a Matco Special Forces set

I've been wanting some pass-thru sockets for a while, and wanted USA made ones. I found a ratchet at the flea market a while back I later found out was the special forces ratchet...so the hunt began. I bid on a set of the Special Forces metric sockets on ebay last week that sold for $55, and...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[Toold_up]

This one?

Scored a Matco Special Forces set

I've been wanting some pass-thru sockets for a while, and wanted USA made ones. I found a ratchet at the flea market a while back I later found out was the special forces ratchet...so the hunt began. I bid on a set of the Special Forces metric sockets on ebay last week that sold for $55, and...

www.garagejournal.com

Yes but 1/2" drive and 24" flex head.

 

[Pinne]

@YoshiMoshi3 You are making all of your basic maintenance projects much more complicated than they need to be. Impact the nut off - you aren't going to damage the end link. You can likely hold the back of the end link with a pair of long nose vise grips if needed - most of them have a flange of some sort (with many factory links even having wrench flats back there).

Even if you do buy a pass through socket setup for this the likelihood of rounding off the hex / torx interface on that end link is very high.

 

[YoshiMoshi3]

Yes but 1/2" drive and 24" flex head.

What's the part number if you got for the ratchet or the set that included the ratchet

 

[YoshiMoshi3]

@YoshiMoshi3 You are making all of your basic maintenance projects much more complicated than they need to be. Impact the nut off - you aren't going to damage the end link. You can likely hold the back of the end link with a pair of long nose vise grips if needed - most of them have a flange of some sort (with many factory links even having wrench flats back there).

Even if you do buy a pass through socket setup for this the likelihood of rounding off the hex / torx interface on that end link is very high.

Which manufacturer makes sway bar end links with wrench flats? I think most of the OEM manufacturers have a completely circular base/flange that you cannot easily grip onto. It seems like a lot of aftermarket ones come with wrench flats on the flange base area.

I have good luck with using something similar to RBRT allen key bits, and taking them off with a regular combination wrench without issue. Using a regular allen key, very high probability of rounding it out and you have to cut the nut off a few threads prior to rounding out the allen key hole, then it rounds out and you can't unthread any more threads. But at that point you can get it off at the very threads you expose.

 

[Toold_up]

What's the part number if you got for the ratchet or the set that included the ratchet

CLPF24

Looks like there is one for sale on offerup:

Matco 1/2" Drive Flex Head Ratchet for Sale in Artesia, CA - OfferUp

Used (normal wear), 1/2" Drive Flex Head 24" Long CLPF24 Made in the USA. Make an offer!;

offerup.com

They don't make these anymore so if you want one you are going to have to buy 2nd hand, and they don't come up for sale often.

 

[Pinne]

Which manufacturer makes sway bar end links with wrench flats? I think most of the OEM manufacturers have a completely circular base/flange that you cannot easily grip onto. It seems like a lot of aftermarket ones come with wrench flats on the flange base area.

I have good luck with using something similar to RBRT allen key bits, and taking them off with a regular combination wrench without issue. Using a regular allen key, very high probability of rounding it out and you have to cut the nut off a few threads prior to rounding out the allen key hole, then it rounds out and you can't unthread any more threads. But at that point you can get it off at the very threads you expose.

BMW and many Euro brands have wrench flats.

Even if there is just a completely round backing, that is exactly why you would use long nose vise grips.

 

[YoshiMoshi3]

BMW and many Euro brands have wrench flats.

Even if there is just a completely round backing, that is exactly why you would use long nose vise grips.

Thanks never worked on one of those brands. I think it's a better design to not have wrench flats. You have any luck with specific sway bar end link pliers?

I've tried and didn't really work for me, had to cut off.

 

[Pinne]

Thanks never worked on one of those brands. I think it's a better design to have wrench flats. You have any luck with specific sway bar end link pliers?

I've tried and didn't really work for me, had to cut off.

BMW does a good job of this. Sadly the aftermarket end links I usually end up using never have real wrench flats.

I haven't used those pliers, but the 9" Bremen long nose locking plier from HF is good for this and has a 1/4" square drive on the thumb screw to really clamp it down. I've also been using a bent nose pair from Grip-On that are a bit easier to maneuver around the struts.