What do you use crowsfoot wrenches for?

[DodgeZ]

I haven't seen them in use nor can I think of when you'd use them.

 

[Fedwrench]

Flare crowfeet, on power steering fittings. Regular crowfeet as super stubby wrenches.

 

[Aspen RT]

Flare crowfeet, on power steering fittings. Regular crowfeet as super stubby wrenches.

Thanks I was wondering too.

 

[TOOL MASTER]

nuts down in odd places..distributors before they came out with specialized tools...cylinder base nuts

 

[Sh1thead]

Mostly power steering fittings but have used them valve adjustments and some goofy fuel filters and brake/clutch fittings

 

[Seanbev24]

Also, a crowsfoot with a breaker bar attached is better than double-wrenching if you need the extra leverage.

 

[TOOL MASTER]

used with a torch-wrench when you can't use a socket

 

[DanCo]

Air fittings on OTR trucks.

 

[mrshaun]

aviation mechanics use them daily. they have them from 1/4inch -3 inch covering 1/2 drive 3/8 and 1/4
they use the regular style and the deep 12 point flare nut crowfoot.
I sell at least 10 different sizes every tuesday and thursday when i go on fort hood or to the air ports.

 

[ZRX61]

Prop govenor hold own nuts on RR Merlin engines.

 

[Lotek]

O2 sensors on top of the pipe, steering boxes, abs modulators, brake lines, egr pipes, etc.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

Fuel pump on my '57, distributors, some bellhousing bolts, 351M valve covers, dozens of other uses.

 

[diesel research]

Air fittings on OTR trucks.

I don't but should consider it. It is usually the 11/16 brake chamber lines. CANNOT use a flare and obviously boxed/sockets won't work.

Usually a HF XL wrench will suffice, but hadn't considered a crowfoot/breaker bar (perfect) Other options are butterfly wrench (if space permits) air conditioning ratcheting line wrench (like butterfly) or last case scenario is the 3 sided "locking wrench" vise grips.

Where I would LIKE to start using them is on large hydraulic/cooling quick connect fittings. These are usually in 1-1/2 to 2" range for my specific applications. Kind of avoiding upgrading to a 24" adjustable, so a breaker would be nice. Looking at some of those imported "jumbo" kits in the $100 range. (about what the 24" adjustable would cost)

Crow feet have just as many uses as regular wrenches. You can buy open head, ratcheting, buttery, boxed, and flare. Then by combining extensions and breaker bars and various other drive devices you create a wide variety of app specific wrenches. The beauty is you can break them down into a much smaller tool box drawer and spend significantly less.

The downside is sometimes they don't fit.

 

[billybudge]

I use these to remove the nut on inner drive shafts on front wheel drive cars, plus a few other tricky to reach things, hydraulic couplings, especially some on trucks where it is hard to get a stubby on there,
They can be useful little gadgets, I have a set of metric and whitworth,

 

[ukvauxtech]

I use mine on some common rail diesel engines for fuel pipe fittings.

 

[Sticks]

Where I would LIKE to start using them is on large hydraulic/cooling quick connect fittings. These are usually in 1-1/2 to 2" range for my specific applications. Kind of avoiding upgrading to a 24" adjustable, so a breaker would be nice. Looking at some of those imported "jumbo" kits in the $100 range. (about what the 24" adjustable would cost)

I have 3/8 - 2". Mostly Hydraulic uses. The occasional fuel line, P/S fitting, or air line. Got my jumbo set at Tool King or Tool Topia for $65 IIRC.

Also have been known to use a pneumatic fan clutch wrench kit to break some hydraulic fittings loose (the big ones 1 1/4 - 2 1/8) when I can't get a breaker bar on it. Lisle (LIS43300)

 

[diesel research]

Speaking of pneumatic right angle wrenches and crows feet:

Another handy use for crowsfeet

Similar to the fan clutch kit, but with a square drive for use with sockets or crowsfeet and an air hammer.

Haven't used it, but looks handy?

 

[smoky]

I have used my crowsfoot wrenches for tightening header bolts. crowsfoot are tools that you don't use often, but when you need them you NEED them.

 

[rsanter]

crowsfoot flairs got used by me more than the regular ones.
usually in undercar work, transmission removal/install

bob

 

[csmitty]

I've swapped PS pump/hydroboost into my jeep and its kinda tight there on that side of the engine. usually a combo of flare nut wrench and normal open end alternating. So hopefully some flare nut crows and a ratchet will make it alittle easier next time.

 

[justanengineer]

Dont forget removing nuts from studs that are too long for a deep socket, where you cant get a wrench in...

 

[freeskier]

do you guys store em with your sockets or wrenches? just wondering

 

[bsaint]

Mostly PS pumps.

 

[mech.reclined]

Honda fuel filters when they bury them under the brake booster location.Add a long extension and the bad word usage gets cut in half.

 

[Frankstools]

When accurate torque is required using torque wrench (when a socket does not work for job)

 

[cp8737]

heavy Truck air brake fittings - flare nut and openended (depending on how seized the union is)
large hydraulic fittings on breaker bars for extra leverage
power steering / fuel lines / injector pipes
and with a torque wrench
the openended ones are great for those tigh spots where you cant get a midget wrench.
ive got them from 7mm up to 50mm 1/4" - 1/2" drive flare nut, deep flare nut and open ended
i love mine

 

[petefixer]

Cummins N-14 Engine Position Sensor! 5/8" 12 point deep flare!

 

[PinkLinc]

I wondered about their use too until I needed one to get a torque wrench on one of the exhaust bolts on my 2002 MINI S. It came off with a box wrench, but I couldn't get to it with a socket. Took a 15mm crowfoot, u-joint and a 6 inch extension. The torque level probably isn't exact but at least I know it's close.

 

[bobcatdan]

I use my 1/2" drive ones daily for hydraulic lines. Also as insane short stubbies in 1" to 1 5/8" sizes. Couldn't live with out them. Don't use 3/8 drive as much. Where do I keep them, with 3/8 drive SAE and metric in standard and flare and 1/2 drive from 1 1/16 to 2 3/8, they have their own drawer in the service truck box.

 

[Busted Bolts]

+1 on hyd fittings, Mine go from 3/8- 2 1/2 some times I just use them like a regular wrench, when fitted to a long or short ratchet you have an open end wrench with almost as many positions as you have gear clicks.

 

[diesel research]

Hmm, I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one who thinks they are good for hydraulic lines. I haven't used the jumbos, but expect they would be great. Expected to hear a lot of flack about using flare nut wrenches from those who DON'T have a clue. (even if 1-1/2" flarenut wrenches were readily available, there is no way they would fit over most crimps or other types of hose ends.

 

[ibedayank]

I use my flare wrenches when i can but sometimes ya just can't.
crowsfoot sometimes nothing else will reach into what you need to tighten or loosen.
and sometimes its just faster to use them

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Brake lines, fuel lines, oil/transmission fluid lines, AC pipe joints, hydraulic fluid lines, etc.

Lots of use on power steering systems, at pumps, racks, coolers, pipe joints. All over the place on brakes, especially around load compensators and radius-type axles. Fuel lines where they joint filters in tight spots. On steering rack tie rods and lock nuts.

Also use them for valve adjustment and in all kinds of tight spots where nothing else will work. On manifolds and turbochargers.

They're the kind of tools that you don't need them until you NEED them. At which point there seems to be nothing else in the world that will work.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

do you guys store em with your sockets or wrenches? just wondering

All I've got now are 3/8", but I keep them with my sockets on a piece of 3/8" bar stock with a hitch pin on each end. Keeps them together and takes up very little room.

 

[J.A.F.E.]

I have used them on PS lines or in restricted areas where nothing else will work.

I also have used them for various plumbing jobs around the house. I just got this one for small plumbing chore nothing else would work on. A very confined area in a very awkward position with little clearance around the fitting. I doubt it will see much use but when it's used likely nothing else would work.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I have used them on PS lines or in restricted areas where nothing else will work.

I used a 17mm flare nut one today for low pressure power steering line on a Volvo V40.

 

[bobcatdan]

Along the same lines, torque adapters are some of the handiest tools ever invented. I use those things all the time. That extra 2" or so of lenght can be really handy at reaching bolts hiding behind something.

 

[jvitez]

They're the kind of tools that you don't need them until you NEED them. At which point there seems to be nothing else in the world that will work.

Bang on correct! I never even thought about them, until I was installing an aftermarket steering brace on my Dodge Ram Cummins. Removing the steering gear nut was no biggy (had to buy a big wrench, 1 5/16 IIRC), but the brace used a looong nut as replacement, and it had to be torqued on. Now what? I'm scratching my head lying under the truck, then CLICK goes the light switch: crowsfoot wrench!

I now own two sets and a few individual sizes.

 

[diesel research]

Bang on correct! I never even thought about them, until I was installing an aftermarket steering brace on my Dodge Ram Cummins. Removing the steering gear nut was no biggy (had to buy a big wrench, 1 5/16 IIRC), but the brace used a looong nut as replacement, and it had to be torqued on. Now what? I'm scratching my head lying under the truck, then CLICK goes the light switch: crowsfoot wrench!

I now own two sets and a few individual sizes.

Saginaw (general motors) steering gear boxes used by many big three trucks and other equipment are 1-5/16.

In your case, what is wrong with using a deep socket? I know I have taken off that pitman arm nut probably 100x and pretty much always used a socket.

Regardless, someone who has just a starting tool collection, might want to consider a decent set of them. They will be impressed at the flexibility, minimal tool box storage space required, and cost effectiveness, as opposed to buying so many wrenches. Sometimes a wrench is required, but quite often it may not be.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Along the same lines, torque adapters are some of the handiest tools ever invented. I use those things all the time. That extra 2" or so of lenght can be really handy at reaching bolts hiding behind something.

I have a couple, random odd ones i bought just because they were cheap. With the exception of a very expensive Stahlwille one. They're even more scarcely used that the crowfoot wrenches but sometimes you just need 'em. The Stahlwille one i have is 10mm and was used for torquing camshaft caps on a Scooby flat-4 with the engine in the car. I only needed it for two bolts.

I now own two sets and a few individual sizes.

Same, open-end and flare nut, with a few extras for specific jobs. I have a set specifically for diesel engine fuel lines, and a flare nut socket for common rail lines. Not worth messing around trying to get wrenches into awkward spaces for fuel lines.

Regardless, someone who has just a starting tool collection, might want to consider a decent set of them. They will be impressed at the flexibility, minimal tool box storage space required, and cost effectiveness, as opposed to buying so many wrenches. Sometimes a wrench is required, but quite often it may not be.

Possibly, i find i use mine very rarely. I have them because there are times that i need them (The Volvo yesterday being a prime example.) but those times are few and far between, and i do this for a living, 6 days a week. I wouldn't put them high on the priority list of things to buy.