The Snap-on difference....

[plinker]

Is sometimes a thing. Recent example,

I had to replace the rear shocks on a Buick labeled equinox a few weeks ago and noted something interesting I've run into before on some struts, had the time to take some pics this time though.

I used a 45* DBE wrench and shock absorber socket to swap the aluminum mount to the new shock. The Toptul wrench would not fit the recess for the nut. The Bosses Snap-on wrench would. See pics for the difference in how the fit the part and the difference of the wrench angle/offset length.
I didnt have any other brand wrenches to try so results may vary. Still a notable difference.

A pass thru socket set up may work better, a deep 0* box wrench would be ideal if that exists. Making a wrench would be another thought.

 

[Snaparxon]

I think the Snap on offset is 60 degree.

 

[jimmyin3D]

Yeah that’s not about difference of quality just a difference of degree/angle of wrench.

Any 75 degree offset wrench will fit strut nuts, some 60 degree wrenches like your bosses wrench.

 

[Mr_B]

Use a 2 buck 1/2" socket and grind flats on the top sides.
Best wrenches I found for fitting in recess is stahlwille or the Toptul/facom (facom also made by rotar ) angled socket wrench that purposely designed with open hole pass through and recess ability .
snapon don't do anything like that .

 

[General Geoff]

Yeah that’s not about difference of quality just a difference of degree/angle of wrench.

Any 75 degree offset wrench will fit strut nuts, some 60 degree wrenches like your bosses wrench.

Yeah, it's all about the angle of the dangle. Any quality 75-degree deep offset wrench would do the trick. I prefer Stahlwille:

 

[Steve_P]

Yep, Stahwille for a fraction of the price of SO.

 

[American Locomotive]

Yeah, it's not a brand thing. It's just having the right tool for the job.

It's like bragging about how an Estwing Hammer is much better at driving nails than a Craftsman Screwdriver. Well technically, yeah it is, but they're different tools meant to do different things.

 

[vssjim]

My USAG model 283 double box wrenches have more of a offset than the snap-ons do and that is very standard in euro wrenches.

 

[Tonyuk]

Stahlwille every day over ****-on.

 

[plinker]

Hmm, looking at it at the time I had thought the Snap-on was a 45* wrench, I guess not. Looks like a good excuse to get some 75* wrenches though.

 

[pi_guy]

Is sometimes a thing. Recent example,

Don't say that-- you will start a fight.

 

[Earp69]

Or how about using a........... Socket?

 

[jimmyin3D]

Or how about using a........... Socket?

With these struts you need to use a Allen key usually to go at it at the same time. There are specialty sockets with an open middle part or pass through sockets but more economical to use an offset wrench. And it’s not regulated to one special job.

 

[PelicanPines]

So basically we have proven there is NO snap on difference.

 

[demarpaint]

I found Stahlwille box wrenches to be top shelf, and very well designed.

 

[Mr_B]

With these struts you need to use a Allen key usually to go at it at the same time. There are speciality sockets with an open middle part or pass through sockets but more economical to use an offset wrench. And it’s not regulated to one special job.

Most economical is a 1/2" drive used or cheap socket with flats ground or milled on the top for a wrench or crescent wrench or old wrench or flat stock welded to it to form a handle .
old socket and grind flats is easy solution for diy guys in a pinch .

 

[Mr_B]

I found Stahlwille box wrenches to be top shelf, and very well designed.

I quite agree, slim design, ergonomics and finish durability superb and price is sensible .
Mix that with snapon open end performance/technology and it be perfection .

 

[GTO]

Stahlwille every day over ****-on.

I was wondering how long this would take.....9 posts,I guess...

 

[Tonyuk]

I was wondering how long this would take.....9 posts,I guess...

Do you disagree?

 

[sberry]

The modified socket is a good idea, I got to remember that in case it happens. Some of this is so rare that I am not inclined to spend lots to gain a little. I agree about the style being the factor over quality, my collection is all about that.
I can recall several jobs I thought, gotta get me a tool for that, never used it again. Got a whole set of wrenches, used 1 out of it.

 

[MileHighRover]

Whatever it takes to prove Flap-Offs are worth their weight in gold, which just so happens to be what they cost.

 

[VolvoRyan]

I agree with those saying that this isn't a brand thing. It's really a shape thing. Different companies make things differently. For years, I've had a HF 15/16" offset for 15 years that I used for one purpose: Volvo 240 strut nuts. A 24mm impact will get the nut off, but you need an offset to tighten. HF does the job quite well. I've sorta protected the tool over the years. It works a treat, but it's junk.... it's rusting simply from existing. I've a Snap-On offset that I inherited over the summer from a retired master tech. Odd to go from one extreme to the other.

Some Snap-On stuff is worth it. Some isn't. The truck-brands are really polarizing.

I bet for this purpose, Buick has a special tool. Gah!

-Ryan

 

[M635_Guy]

Is sometimes a thing. Recent example,

I had to replace the rear shocks on a Buick labeled equinox a few weeks ago and noted something interesting I've run into before on some struts, had the time to take some pics this time though.

I used a 45* DBE wrench and shock absorber socket to swap the aluminum mount to the new shock. The Toptul wrench would not fit the recess for the nut. The Bosses Snap-on wrench would. See pics for the difference in how the fit the part and the difference of the wrench angle/offset length.
I didnt have any other brand wrenches to try so results may vary. Still a notable difference.

A pass thru socket set up may work better, a deep 0* box wrench would be ideal if that exists. Making a wrench would be another thought.

I have a Craftsman pass-through socket set specifically because they're incredibly handy when building struts - I don't do it often, but I like 'em when I have.

 

[rmsg0040]

My difference is > grab the impact and zip off the bolt.

 

[dnschmidt]

Oddly, the thing that first got me into selling TOPTUL was my fascination with angled socket wrenches. I LOVE THEM. Sadly, since they didn't sell for ****, I apparently, along with Eric O. of South Main Auto, were the only people that did. I first saw one of these when I was visiting our wafer fab in Crolles France and one of the French technicians was using one to repair an etcher. I ask him, what is that? He looked at me with that what a stupid American look that only the French can do and said "It's a wrench." It was love at first sight between me and the angled socket wrench. Not so much with the smart assed Frenchman.

 

[dalehsc]

My difference is > grab the impact and zip off the bolt.

One of my colleagues at work did that the other day with a fox strut, the shaft spun out of the piston,**** and all the pressurized oil was everywhere. He had never had that happen before. That's why we are told not to use an impact

 

[rmsg0040]

Yes, you need to secure the shaft the so it doesn't spin

 

[FSrepair&fabrication]

Ive done this by holding a 1/2 drive socket with vise grips and using a long hex socket to fit thru the drive hole.

 

[sberry]

The vise grip idea is good, I like that.