Bellaireroad
Well-known member
What's considered a complete set for automotive work? I noticed that most sets don't include some sizes in the 20 range, and the upper limit in size is less than a SAE set. Are some of the sizes not typically used?
The complete metric wrench set
- Thread starter Bellaireroad
- Start date
85camaro
Banned
20mm, 23mm and 25mm are almost never used. Large SAE usually covers anything large in metric.
wafrederick
Well-known member
The cheap sets,the 18mm is left out a lot and sometimes 15mm.I hate this when it happens.20mm comes in handy when changing GM fuel filters and on some a/c condensors
Domestic vehicles: 8mm,10mm,13mm,15mm and 18mm used a lot
Asian(Korean and Japanese): 8mm,10mm,12mm,14mm,17mm and 19mm
Domestic vehicles: 8mm,10mm,13mm,15mm and 18mm used a lot
Asian(Korean and Japanese): 8mm,10mm,12mm,14mm,17mm and 19mm
crewchief888
Well-known member
i work on cost eq, besides 7mm -19mm,
i use a 21mm on occasion for ball joint or tie rod nuts that i cant get a socket on.
i use a 21mm on occasion for ball joint or tie rod nuts that i cant get a socket on.
wafrederick
Well-known member
21mm is used on most Nissan and Kia/Hyundai lugnuts including Mazda.I use 21mm on domestic cars once in a while,engine mount nuts on Taurus and Sables is one of them.24mm too,on strut bolts on some GMs going through the steering knuckle.
General Geoff
Well-known member
Truly complete I'd say is every size in one millimeter increments from 4mm up to 36mm.
The bigger sizes come in handy for clutch fans and I used a 32mm at least once for tightening an inner tie rod.
The bigger sizes come in handy for clutch fans and I used a 32mm at least once for tightening an inner tie rod.
woody 73
Well-known member
How often do most people use the 20mm wrench size?
I needed one to change my GM fuel filter one day, but I ended up using an adjustable.
volvo92906
Well-known member
Up to 18mm, maybe 19. A 21, 22, and 24 if you do suspension work.
Like others have said, bigger sockets. I have seen axle nut sockets in the 30mm to 38mm range. Strut/springs also have some larger sizes.
But basically, you can pull an engine or transmission out with anything up to 18. Hell, Honda only uses (used?) 14mm bolts on their mounts. The only large sizes will be in the suspension.
Like others have said, bigger sockets. I have seen axle nut sockets in the 30mm to 38mm range. Strut/springs also have some larger sizes.
But basically, you can pull an engine or transmission out with anything up to 18. Hell, Honda only uses (used?) 14mm bolts on their mounts. The only large sizes will be in the suspension.
MikeF2316
Well-known member
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
8-19 mm can probably do 95% of automotive tasks. If you have a large SAE set you might be able to use 13/16 for 21mm, 7/8 for 22mm and 15/16 for 24mm.
Most GM fuel filters went away in 2004 however, GM seems to love that size for wierd application line AC lines, and suburban rear disc brake pins.
I've only used 23mm on prevost air couplings.
However, as a tool ***** whose duty it is to have wrenches for every occasion, I would say an 8-24 mm set would meet almost any automotive need. When I worked for the city, the heavy tech that did the brooms would borrow my 30mm to adjust some chain but aside form that and maybe the 27mm, you run into smaaler metric fasteners.
Most GM fuel filters went away in 2004 however, GM seems to love that size for wierd application line AC lines, and suburban rear disc brake pins.
I've only used 23mm on prevost air couplings.
However, as a tool ***** whose duty it is to have wrenches for every occasion, I would say an 8-24 mm set would meet almost any automotive need. When I worked for the city, the heavy tech that did the brooms would borrow my 30mm to adjust some chain but aside form that and maybe the 27mm, you run into smaaler metric fasteners.
jfcasey
Well-known member
I work on Toyota and beyond 8-19mm, I regularly use 21,22,24, 27, and 32. The 27 and 32 are only for truck tie rods/ eccentrics. Most of the cars and suv's have 19, 22, or 24mm jam nuts.
The only place I ever run into a 21 is on fuel hook ups at the regulator, and in that spot the only chance you have is with a open end wrench.
The only place I ever run into a 21 is on fuel hook ups at the regulator, and in that spot the only chance you have is with a open end wrench.
plinker
Well-known member
I only ever used mine for fuel filter's on a car, but apparently Mack uses the on jams nuts for injectors.
I've used a 29mm on a Dodge 2500 ball joint nut, it was a socket though.
My wrench set is 7 to 30, 32, 36, 41, 46 & 50.
I would say a set 7 to 24mm would cover most things you'd need a combo wrench for. Sockets are something else.
Heavy Metal Doctor
Well-known member
We just recently began selling and servicing some equipment made in the EU that is 100% metric...right out gate I found it has stuff up close to 1 1/2" sized. Like most, I have up to 21mm in the general metric set of wrenches. I can make do with inch sized wrenches for a lot of the bigger stuff, but I already ran into one job that has bolts heads with tight clearance around them where using anything other than the "right" size makes it a huge PITA...so I have more tools to buy....
devoncoolman
Well-known member
20mm on gm fuel filters and ac lines. Like said above. About all ive come across. I have from 6mm to 34mm skipping 26,28,31,33 and i have never needed the skipped sizes.
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Op get the snap on flank drive plus 10-19 set. Add the other sizes as needed. 20, 23, 26, 28 are not common. I haven't had any use yet for any wrench over 27mm but I work on light trucks and cars. 21, 22, 24, 1" and 27 are nice addition. The first three for suspension. The 1" is slightly larger than 25mm and 1" is more common. The 27mm in the four way angle wrench for EGR tubes, EGR tubes are mostly 1 1/16" but 27mm is literally only a hair width bigger making it More versatile.
I love the flank drive plus. When you need to use the open end they grip like no other.
For the record I actually own 7mm-24mm, 27mm four way. And I also have 3/8"-1". I got the saw set for a steel on eBay otherwise I wouldn't even have it. But they have come in handy plenty. Especially the 1". When I think about what wrenches have paid for themselves so far Lol a few sizes like 7mm, 9mm and 23mm will probably never do that as well as most the sae sizes. Especially the 3/4" wrench Lol if it didn't come with the set I wouldn't even own that useless wrench.
I love the flank drive plus. When you need to use the open end they grip like no other.
For the record I actually own 7mm-24mm, 27mm four way. And I also have 3/8"-1". I got the saw set for a steel on eBay otherwise I wouldn't even have it. But they have come in handy plenty. Especially the 1". When I think about what wrenches have paid for themselves so far Lol a few sizes like 7mm, 9mm and 23mm will probably never do that as well as most the sae sizes. Especially the 3/4" wrench Lol if it didn't come with the set I wouldn't even own that useless wrench.
SiGmA_X
Well-known member
This, plus 21. I find a lot of 21's on BMW's.
bayoutoolguy
Well-known member
elterrell
Well-known member
Some Volvo tie rods need a 21 (or 22, I forget) too. The axle nut is an odd size too, I forget what though. Nothing more frustrating than not having a tool when you need it.
MattPersman
Well-known member
20 is for power steering lines on DR ram trucks
15mm and 18mm are left out of cheap sets because they are essentially identical to SAE sizes and are sometimes left out of sets that assume you are complimenting your SAE tools with metric. I've seen 15mm on bikes often, bike spark plugs at 18mm are very common.
racerboy944
New member
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2013
- Messages
- 2
15mm is the most common engine oil drain plug size I have seen and 18mm seems to be very common on brake caliper bolts.
devoncoolman
Well-known member
22mm is the same as 7/8. 14mm is really close to 9/16. Alot of them are like that. Most of the time u can fudge ur way through a repair with full set of sae and a partial set of metric. Or vice versa. In my opinion u should have 1/4 - 1 1/4 sae and 8-21mm metric. U can skip 9&11mm if u like 9 is super rare size and 11 is the same as 7/16. With those two sets you should be covered for any general repair where a wrench is needed. Any joe shade tree mechanic typically isnt going to be doing extensive repairs where something special like a angle wrench is needed or a 32 mm wrench also
redwrench60
Well-known member
Every single wrench in my complete set of Snap-on regular length combo wrenches from 7mm-36mm have been used. Some more than others but they all get used. Same deal with the standard combo wrenches from 1/4"-1 5/16" and I'm actually expanding that set to 1 1/2"
At some point I run up on a use for all of them.
At some point I run up on a use for all of them.
So after reading this thread yesterday it got me thinking about which sizes I've never used. Last night I took a long hard look at a 20mm cm combo wrench I know for fact I bought in 1981. Man for the life of me I can't find any signs that it has ever seen a fastener, same thing for my 3/8" drive socket.
BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
Depends upon what you are working on as to a "complete" wrench set.... A 10-18mm without skips is a popular SnapOn set... Marketed that way because of demand... That set is ok for a good share of work on an automobile... For the tasks where that set is not "complete" enough; you can purchase what wrenches you need..... A wrench set is like big momma pantyhose; one size will not fit all
chris142
Well-known member
I use a 20mm every day on chevy truck oil lines where they screw into the radiater. The one size I've never used is my 9mm wrenches and sockets
purplezr2
Well-known member
??? mine does is a 14mm bolt on the top of the housing.
I don't do automotive professionally, but for general use, my opinion of a *complete* set is every size, in single millimeter increments, from 6mm to 28mm. 2mm increments beyond that (30, 32, etc).
Beyond 28, if I need an odd millimeter size, I have options:
1) Use a tool 1mm oversize. The larger you get, the less it matters
2) Use the closest fitting SAE size tool (I have these up to 2 1/2", for the most part in 1/16" increments
3) Buy a tool for that one specialty purpose (I'm prepared to do so when it happens, but it hasn't occurred yet).
Beyond 28, if I need an odd millimeter size, I have options:
1) Use a tool 1mm oversize. The larger you get, the less it matters
2) Use the closest fitting SAE size tool (I have these up to 2 1/2", for the most part in 1/16" increments
3) Buy a tool for that one specialty purpose (I'm prepared to do so when it happens, but it hasn't occurred yet).
firebox40dash5
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2012
- Messages
- 4,185
I was going to say I think I used mine a few times on some kind of line, and that's most likely what it was.
7-19mm, 21-22mm, 24mm and 27mm are all pretty common, as well as the occasional use for that 20mm. As you get bigger, the difference in size between 1mm off and 1/16" (1.59mm) off becomes less and less relevant... that is, you can use the closest SAE size no problem because the hex is so big. I think the biggest metric wrench in the shop, barring fan clutch and inner TRE wrenches is a 32mm, for GM pitman arm nuts.
I have two sets I carry in the same tool roll. The first set is made up of two different manufactures it goes from 6mm-24mm without skipping a wrench. (6,7,20,21,22,23,24 are wright and the 8-19 are blue point) The other set is made by snap on is a reversible ratcheting wrench set 8-19mm. Between these two sets in the single tool roll I've removed many parts from salvage yards, and its a handy go to set.
Josh
Josh
I work on machines, some of which are very old. So I use a 9 mm wrench or deep 1/4 drive 9 mm socket quite often. Grease zerks this size are very common. Also comes in handy when working on asian power and air tools.
Givl Reggin
Banned
I think what we can conclude is that you're going to need them all with no skips.
devoncoolman
Well-known member
Theres many wrenches some people may never use but its hard to say whether or not you will need them. So conclusion is just buy everyone.
With out a doubt, it only takes that one time you have to have it that you'll kick yourself for not buying one. I have the same type of ocd that's rampant on this board, gotta have a complete set of whatever it is...just cause
plewlandsbob
Well-known member
I work on , German built, Deutz-Fahr tractors. Use a 5.5mm wrench , to undo screws on heater box, upto 60 mm on hydraulic lines on the largest tractors. Need a 75mm wrench, for bull pinion nut on the older tractors.
I have from 5.5mm complete to 32mm , then 34, 36,41 ,46,50,55,60,70,75mm wrenches. 20,23,25,26 are least common used sizes
We work on a wide variety of farm equipment, from different manufacturers, so encounter a lot of different sized fastenters. Also farmers repairs , can have anything from sae, metric, to whitworth, to british standard fine. Anything they can force in a hole !
I have from 5.5mm complete to 32mm , then 34, 36,41 ,46,50,55,60,70,75mm wrenches. 20,23,25,26 are least common used sizes
We work on a wide variety of farm equipment, from different manufacturers, so encounter a lot of different sized fastenters. Also farmers repairs , can have anything from sae, metric, to whitworth, to british standard fine. Anything they can force in a hole !