Thin Wall Socket

[delong31]

Anyone have a good source? I've checked everywhere (HF, Sears, Napa, Snapon, etc) both local and online.

I need a 20 or 21mm socket so I can take my wheel spacers off.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[NKP Garage]

maybe try a 12pt socket instead for extra clearance if you cant find a thin walled socket?

 

[Pighead]

I have a thinwall impact wrench socket in 21mm...says "Taiwan" on it. Also, 13/16ths fits a 21mm, I think 3/4" is 20mm.

 

[hoser]

Alternative method.
So, Dont buy a VW - Honda-Tech

Seriously, perhaps these will work for you.
Gorilla Thin Wall Socket

 

[AShoe]

I've got one of those gorilla ones from tire rack. It seems to be holding up.

 

[Tools R Us]

Old school 13/16" spark plug sockets often work?

 

[delong31]

I've thought of the Gorilla ones but I'm almost certain I'm going to need a 20mm socket. My rig has been out of commission the past four days since the brake pads wore out and dug right into the rotors. Note to others, make sure your rig has the brake pad wear sensors or you've visually inspected the pads.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll probably try a 12pt socket and see if that fits but have other sockets avail just in case.

 

[thisbugger]

I have a harbor freight thin wall impact socket set. I abuse it and it's still holding.

 

[gotmud]

You can also try a 3/8" drive socket - they're a little thinner walled than a 1/2" drive.

 

[HntWhtTail]

I never gave this any thought all of my sockets 6 pt 12 pt impact or not fit on my lug nuts ( I have 1-1/2" spacers) sucks that you have to have a special socket to get your wheel spacers off you should just remove them and send to me pm me for address I could use another set

 

[jlg32281]

what socket did you use to put them on. a lot of the cheapo ones are thin, they aren't title thin wall, but they are thinner than quality ones. also, you can throw one on a lathe and take it down pretty quick.

 

[delong31]

You can also try a 3/8" drive socket - they're a little thinner walled than a 1/2" drive.

The spacing will be tight for this, unfortunately.

I never gave this any thought all of my sockets 6 pt 12 pt impact or not fit on my lug nuts ( I have 1-1/2" spacers) sucks that you have to have a special socket to get your wheel spacers off you should just remove them and send to me pm me for address I could use another set

I wish I had that kind of room because my brake job would have been a 45 minute job. Don't hold your breath on the spacers.

what socket did you use to put them on. a lot of the cheapo ones are thin, they aren't title thin wall, but they are thinner than quality ones. also, you can throw one on a lathe and take it down pretty quick.

The PO put on the spacers so I have no idea. I've read about the lathe idea but I don't have easy access to one so I might as well find the tool that's supposed to be used.

I have a harbor freight thin wall impact socket set. I abuse it and it's still holding.

Is it described as "thin wall?" Their impact socket set doesn't say "thin wall."

I may have a source that I'll be checking out tomorrow. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[Ebag333]

Is it described as "thin wall?" Their impact socket set doesn't say "thin wall."

Try the deep socket metric ones. They're pretty thin.

 

[jlm43]

take a VERY cheap 1/2" extension and cut the female end off. Put the cut end into any drill with a 1/2 chuck. Put your 20mm socket on the other end. Now find a belt sander, file, or anything else that is very abrasive. Run the drill with the socket turning on the previously mentioned abrasive item. Stop when it is at the desired thickness. The belt sander works best if you run the drill in the opposite direction of the belt. It only takes a few minutes and it normally ends up being pretty close to round. And now your cheap extension is a moderately priced 1/2" punch.
J

 

[woody]

spark plug sockets are thinner wall and are what I've always used for alum wheels and tight lug nut clearance

 

[delong31]

Thought I would provide an update:

I had a number of guys PM me possibilities which I pursued but they didn't pan out. I also tried a spark plug socket, deep socket, and a 12pt cheap socket to no avail. So, instead of making phone calls (I had already made a number of visits), I went into a different NAPA store and the guy there was much more helpful than I had experienced before. He ordered an extra thin wall socket for me that he dug out of the catalog after I had a failed attempt with "just" a thin wall. At any rate, my success was with a 21mm Extra Thin Wall Deep Impact Socket, Part No. 61-8021.

Unfortunately, I do not know the brand of my spacers for everyone's reference and I didn't think to look at them when I had the wheel off. I'll take a look when I pull them off again.

Thanks to everyone for their help and suggestions. Hopefully, this will make it a little more definitive for the next guy trying to get spacers off.

 

[SHREDwagon]

For anyone else looking for a descent 21mm THIN wall socket, here's where I got mine:
Grey Pneumatic GP2021MTP 1/2'' Drive x 21mm Extra-Thin Wall Wheel/Nut Protector Socket 2021MTP
With the protective boot, you can use an impact to take your lug nuts off, then throw it on the torque wrench and go to town. No damaging the lugs or wheels, especially if you have black ones like I do (wheels and lug nuts).