Usage for small sockets?

[muskaman67]

I was just wondering, do any of you guys actually ever use your very tiny sockets? like 4mm to 6mm? i have been wrenching for some years and have never come across these sizes. not even a 7mm. Do you think it would be wise of me to have them in my tool box beings that i work at toyota. Thanks!

 

[mrshaun]

5.5 on a few electronics and 5mm as well.... but 4 I am not sure.
1/8 and 5/32 if you were working on an apache or a blackhawk helicopter ....

 

[Kevin54]

Used a 7mm quite a bit the other day stripping parts out of a GMC Jimmy interior.

 

[MotoDave]

The day after you take them out is the day you'll need them

I have come across some small sized in electronic equipment and inside laptops, but I prefer the feel of a nut driver that size.

 

[PistolWhip]

5.5mm is a very common size on Ford interior parts. I don't think I use anything smaller than that very ofte, but there's nothing worse than needing something and not having it.

 

[norry]

I remember being at pick-n-pull a few years back and finding an Olds 98 just like the one we had at the time, except that theirs (somehow!) had an immaculate leather steering wheel in the right color, and ours was all ratty.

I couldn't salvage it because I didn't have the right socket for the trim on the wheel, and the yard was something like a 100 mile round trip from my house. I went through my little 40-in-1 set (you know those...) on our own car once I got home, and the right answer seemed to be some weird fractional size, very small.

 

[Merkava_4]

I use the 7mm for the harness that plugs into the car's computer. I have to disconnect the computer and take it out of the car whenever I want to wash the engine.

 

[olds88]

Ford COP coils comes to mind, 7mm, and alot of the bolts under the dash on Fords are 7mm. I think some GM under dash stuff is 5.5mm.

 

[TheToolMan]

I use my small sockets more than the large ones. But i repair electronics and industrial motors

 

[plinker]

I think some GM under dash stuff is 5.5mm.

The heater motor & recitifier on a '99 buick century use 5.5mm.

 

[apong23]

Those small metric sizes are also used on the hex posts that hold the motherboard to your computer chasis.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I use 5.5mm for heater boxes on VWs, 6mm and 7mm are used a lot for hose clamps.

 

[muskaman67]

thanks guys.

 

[arkangel06]

Avaionics in aircraft uses alot of small 1/8 5/32 3/16 stuff

 

[autoace]

I use 5.5mm for heater boxes on VWs, 6mm and 7mm are used a lot for hose clamps.

Yup!, some domestic distributors also. 5.5, 6, and 7 are common

 

[justinmc]

I find quite a few uses for the sub 10mm stuff in interiors and under dashes on Nissans and other imports. As mentioned alot of ECU harness connector screws are held in by 7mm bolts and same with the brackets that hold the ECU's into place. Seems like I usually reach for mine in a deep variety though even if I could use a short version simply because of not having to grind my hand up against adjacent panels, components, etc. Really just depends on clearance though.

Certainly not worth skipping if you are putting together a good set of tools though. Might not reach for them much.. but generally they are cheaper and when you need them... well you need em!

 

[JohnFreeman]

I do quite a bit of electronics repair, and find the small sockets/nutdrivers essential.

 

[Mojavewanderer]

Fenderwell liners and splash shields. Ford uses 5.5mm GM uses 7mm, and Chrysler uses 7mm or 6mm.

 

[Fedwrench]

I thought Toyotas never broke down, why do you need tools? The only thing I ever used 4mm on was adjusting headlights on a Crown Vic. However 5.5mm is real common on GM AC actuators and other interior trim and controls. Ford also likes the 5.5mm. If you don't like metric sockets, 7/32 is close to 5.5mm. 7mm is the GM trim retainer size of choice along with many bolts on upper engine control components.

 

[rsanter]

if you work on RC cars, model steam engines, or other small accessories you will use them

bob

 

[kwhitelaw]

5.5 to pull speakers out of some explorers.

 

[MadMark]

Fenderwell liners and splash shields. Ford uses 5.5mm GM uses 7mm, and Chrysler uses 7mm or 6mm.

Exactly, GM used a 7mm self tapping hex screw to attach fenderwell liners and a lot of trim panels and other stuff in the interior, I actually bought several craftsman 7mm nut drivers for this stuff.
A lot of the gages are held to the dashboard with 5.5mm screws, you can use a 7/32 socket for 5.5 mm
A 9/32 works for 7mm also

 

[c39er]

I use them for making nice round holes in gasket material!

 

[mightymg]

I use my 6mm for british hose clamps with the small heads...