thinwall, metric socket source needed

[kd3pc]

I am in need of a very thinwall socket to remove a spark plug from the aftermarket head of a 2005 Triumph. There is also an air port plug needed to be removed. See the picture below.

The shop that sold the head, believes the socket to be a 14MM or 18MM so I am looking for one of each or a small set. 3/8 drive, deep, should be fine for plug removal.

I do not have access to the tool trucks, and would like to see the "wall" rather than buy something that in reality may not be "thin wall". Or practical experience as to who has the thinnest walls.

I have tried an assortment of standard wall sockets from Craftsman, new and old, as well as new Blackhawk to no avail. Clearance on two sides is very tight, yet no room to get anything down and on the plug.

Thanks for you help

 

[nadogail]

IMHO, I would direct the inquired to the maker/vendor of this aftermarket cylinder head. They must have already encountered this problem and made a solution available.

 

[BillK]

Dave,
I have a couple of sockets that I have put in the lathe and cut down for the same purpose. You could probably do the same thing with a die grinder. If you have some way of measuring the id of the hole it would make it easier to search for a socket.

I cant tell in your picture exactly where the plug is in the head.

 

[BillK]

Also, are you sure its 14mm ? Some of the new heads I have seen are using 12mm plugs. Can you get the part number of the spark plug to be sure ? Like nado said, I think I would be calling the head manufacturer and asking.

 

[matt_i]

Get a deep impact socket and machine it on the lathe. Its some of the most beautiful turning stuff I've found (4130? 4340? 4140?). You will probably have to leave a shoulder to grip it unless you do something exotic like press it on a mandel first (or turn it around and just live with the small inconsistency in the centricity of the two ends). I have made many many special tools using impact sockets, they are plenty strong for the job at hand unless you turn a paper thin wall. You can probably get down to around .060" wall at the points of the hex without too much problem. Thinner yet is a risk, but we aren't talking a lot of money invested Also, someone tightened said sparkplug, as recommended above, run that rabbit back to the hole to avoid duplicate engineering development.

 

[CNGsaves]

Get a deep impact socket and machine it on the lathe. Its some of the most beautiful turning stuff I've found (4130? 4340? 4140?). You will probably have to leave a shoulder to grip it unless you do something exotic like press it on a mandel first (or turn it around and just live with the small inconsistency in the centricity of the two ends). I have made many many special tools using impact sockets, they are plenty strong for the job at hand unless you turn a paper thin wall. You can probably get down to around .060" wall at the points of the hex without too much problem.

^ ^ ^ This. Make quite a few extra and sell for $49.99

You've just created a "Triumph plug socket" business !!

 

[MarkWilliams60]

ebay one
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Spark-Plug-...:g:5lYAAOSw-vlVnue9&item=311592641472&vxp=mtr

 

[600SL]

I do know that a Craftsman socket is thinner than a Snap-on.

 

[PJNJ]

I have a '99 Triumph triple and had problems with getting a socket into the head to remove the spark plugs. I just took a Craftsman chrome socket and, using my bench grinder, slowly ground down the sides of the socket until it fit into the head. Voila, my new Triumph spark plug socket.

And it was cheap and easy.

 

[shockwave]

I second the craftsman standard sockets they are thinner than most and broached all the way down the socket and use magnet to remove aswell

 

[btdobie]

I had the same problem on a different motorcycle. I just sanded down a cheap HF socket on a belt sander and it worked great. I would use a lathe if you have one available though. Also for safety put the socket on an extension before sanding it.

 

[CJM8515]

I had the same issue with an atv I once owned, ground down a chrome socket in about 15 mins.

 

[BillK]

Dave,
Not sure if it will help you any but I just measured my Snap On 3/8 drive 14mm deep and it measures .771" od

 

[gdocktor3]

Contact Triumph. Contact a motorcycle shop and ask what they use. Or grind down a cheap socket as mentioned. The third option is probably the best route because you can have it ready to use today.

 

[WhoWhatNow]

THe late model BMW engines need a 14mm think wall socket. Not sure if this will work for you but it may be worth a try:

http://www.bavauto.com/fland.asp?pa...-2007-658173&gclid=CNKt0fbuzMwCFcJahgodJ4QPRg

 

[NUTTSGT]

I had the same problem on a different motorcycle. I just sanded down a cheap HF socket on a belt sander and it worked great. I would use a lathe if you have one available though. Also for safety put the socket on an extension before sanding it.

I'd suggest not using a regular extension but an impact socket adapter that you can chuck up in either the impact driver or drill and run it backwards/reverse.

http://www.menards.com/main/tools-h...44263548-c-10156.htm?tid=-7132215125768360239