Who would ever need a 12-point socket?

[alpinewhite]

I have yet to encounter a time when I need a 12-point socket over a 6-point socket while using a ratchet. Other than square nuts or bolts, why would anyone ever use a 12-point socket? A 6-pt socket grabs the sides much better.

 

[dsmnickk90]

Ever open up a engine?

 

[dirtydogintex]

only place coming to mind is drive shaft rear u-joints....

 

[86k10]

12 point bolt heads. Like mentioned on drive shaft straps, head bolts, and many other applications.

 

[Polski-Chevy]

Ever open up a engine?

Or a transmission?

 

[Jaralaccs]

Engine cylinder head bolts
Flywheel bolts...

you can make more turns on a 6 pt bolt with a 12 pt wrench when you're tight on space. Although nowadays with ratcheting wrenches it's not really an issue

 

[bluebolt]

Fords have 12 point nuts in several spots, steering rag joints and rear axle u-joint flange come to mind. Sometimes using a 12 point bolt or nut allows you to use a smaller socket for better clearance.

 

[dsmnickk90]

On my car alone. Turbo bolt, head bolts, rod bolts and main bolts flywheel and clutch bolts. Did a Front halfshaft on a expedition last week and 15mm 12pt bolts there. Some trucks the starters have 12pt.

 

[mobiledynamics]

Just used on yesterday working with a buddy on his F10 BMW to remove his front strut bolt

 

[alpinewhite]

you can make more turns on a 6 pt bolt with a 12 pt wrench when you're tight on space.

For box wrenches, yes. I'm talking about sockets on a ratchet.

 

[jeeper93436]

I have yet to encounter a time when I need a 12-point socket over a 6-point socket while using a ratchet. Other than square nuts or bolts, why would anyone ever use a 12-point socket? A 6-pt socket grabs the sides much better.

i have used them in tight places where you just need that extra travel with your rachet. also with breaker bars. places where a cant see the head, easier to catch it with a 12 pont socket. oh yeah brake caliper bolts. the only time i use 6 point is when i know i need one because its tight or the head is half strip

 

[BrokewrenchLS1]

Very low-clearance places. I've never rounded a bolt using a 12-point socket or wrench, so I can't argue for or against it being less likely to bork the nut or bolt.

 

[blacK20]

Engine and trans applications. European cars tend to use more 12pt fasteners I find.

 

[gatewaysysop]

i have used them in tight places where you just need that extra travel with your rachet. also with breaker bars. places where a cant see the head, easier to catch it with a 12 pont socket. oh yeah brake caliper bolts. the only time i use 6 point is when i know i need one because its tight or the head is half strip

Especially this one. Monkeying with the bolts on a starter while laying under the truck in a moderately lit garage come to mind. So much easier with 12-point when you can't even see the bolt.

 

[e30bradley]

12pt cap screws are pretty common.. I actually prefer like them because more of the socket/wrench contacts the screw so its less likely to round than a 6 point.

 

[wafrederick]

Jeep 4.0 cylinder head bolts,Ford driveshaft bolts.1994 to about 2002 Dodge Ram 4x4 including Jeeps,the bolts for the front wheelbearings in place.One bolt in the 4L80E is a 12 point 3/8.Harley Davidson uses 12 point fastners too,rocker boxes in the older evo engines which are a 12 point 1/4.There are axle nut sockets that are 12 point too,Toyota and VW/Audi use 12 point axle nuts.

 

[stricht8]

Older Mercedes lower front shock mount bolts require 12 point.

 

[shocksandstrutz]

Jeep Cherokee axles. 12 pt bolt holds the ram in place so the c clips don't come off and the axles don't slide out

 

[Lead-Core]

ive ran in to vw axle nuts, bmw axle nuts, ford drive shaft bolts and jeep 4.0 head bolts that have been 12 point in the last year being a dealer tech.

 

[toolstools]

I cant believe no one has said diesel techs. I know starter bolts are 12 point.

 

[2fat2fly]

Many different types of aircraft use 6 point, 12 point, spline drive,torx, reverse torx and others.....

 

[toolstools]

12pt cap screws are pretty common.. I actually prefer like them because more of the socket/wrench contacts the screw so its less likely to round than a 6 point.

Just to make sure i understand what u mean, u r saying a &2 point sockets grips a 12 point nut/bolt vs a 6 point on a 12 point nut/bolt right?

 

[NathanC]

I use 12pt everyday working on harley's. the banana caliper's have em' and the lifter blocks have 1/4" 12pt and their are lots more.

 

[rob0781]

I keep telling myself I need to buy a 12point set on a daily basis, few things that come to mind, ford driveshaft, a lot of flywheel/torque coverters,taking seats out of newer toyotas.

 

[Roland-5.0]

Ever changed a wheel bearing on a dodge diesel?

 

[redwrench60]

6 point fasteners are more common but 12 point nuts and bolts are out there and wrenches won't work all the time. No offense but anyone who hasn't encountered them is just sheltered or hasn't worked on a wide variety of machines.

 

[DesertRatAutomotive]

So the conclusion is you need them thats why they make them.

 

[t100]

I was changing the assist springs on my garage door, these grab bolts are square head. good luck turning that thing with a 6-point socket.

 

[redline380]

pretty much all ARP fastners are available in 12pt, not just their head bolts/studs.

 

[KinzeMech]

If you have 6 point tools, you can only work on 6 point fasteners.

If you have 12 point tools, you can work on them all.

So, the question I put to you is, "Who would ever need a 6-point socket?"

The only exception I can think of is impact sockets. I prefer not to use 12 point impact sockets on 6 point fasteners. With impacts, I prefer to use 6 point sockets on 6 point fasteners, and 12 point sockets on 12 point fasteners (this last example isn't really a preference)

 

[jmm]

Besides 12 pt fasteners, try seating a 6 pt socket on a nut with a breaker bar in cramped quarters. Sometimes it works, sometimes you need 12 pt.

 

[Trash Mech]

Not to mention you use an 8 point or a 4 point for square fasteners

 

[bob15]

For box wrenches, yes. I'm talking about sockets on a ratchet.

Ok genius, connecting rod bolts or head bolts, how do I torque them with a wrench and be accurate. And if the bolts or nuts are in a recessed area, how do I get at them without a socket, ratchet and extension?

 

[alpinewhite]

Ok genius, connecting rod bolts or head bolts, how do I torque them with a wrench and be accurate. And if the bolts or nuts are in a recessed area, how do I get at them without a socket, ratchet and extension?

Pls read the OP, I AM asking about sockets.

 

[sberry]

I agree, for use with breaker bars and in general if it works no reason not to use a 12, easy to locate, we source a 6 if we need to, use the first one we can locate if its going to work. No reason to buy just to have if the 6 you have are suffecient but there are time/places a 12 can be useful, again it would come down to cost/need/space a lot of things.

 

[shockwave]

Changing rotors on a 90-97 Honda accord and caliper bolts on range rove and newer Toyota axle buts and spark plugs on newer bmws come to mind they are usually for higher torque fasteners

 

[pilotman81]

Numerous times I have been foiled by 6pt sockets when using someone else's tools. I always find that I cannot index the socket just right, and it is always when you are under a pipe or inside a crankcase or some other uncomfortable, nearly impossible to fit my ever-so-slight figure into spot... That's why I strictly use 12pt.

That's my 2cents

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

Diesel engines, header bolts, intake bolts, hydraulic pumps, and compressors are a few places that 12 points are a necessity.

 

[redwrench60]

Chrome sockets, 12 point.

Impact sockets, 6 point.

This is a good general rule for most work. It gives you options for all situations.

 

[jetmech09]

I see 12 point fasteners everyday on aircraft. It is largely a myth that 6 point grips better on a fastener that is not corroded. It's more of a creature comfort for people. Use the proper size, and a good quality tool and you will not run in to an issue using 12 point sockets/wrenches.