30mm socket for wheel lock nut, need to be special?

[shanzhu1]

Hi,

I am thinking of changing CV boots for my 96 Camry V6.

I was about to buy a normal 30mm socket with chrome on it.
It is 12 pt (instead of 6 pt) and measured 1 inch deep of the
socket opening.

My questions:

1. This this kind of socket too weak and too shallow?
Do I need to use a specialized socket for it?
2. If I use a racket (1/2" drive, pretty good, but not
a breaker) with a pipe as an extension, will that break
the rachet for unscrewing the lock nut?

Thanks,

[500KCamry]

Originally Posted by shanzhu1

Hi,

I am thinking of changing CV boots for my 96 Camry V6.

I was about to buy a normal 30mm socket with chrome on it.
It is 12 pt (instead of 6 pt) and measured 1 inch deep of the
socket opening.

My questions:

1. This this kind of socket too weak and too shallow?
Do I need to use a specialized socket for it?
2. If I use a racket (1/2" drive, pretty good, but not
a breaker) with a pipe as an extension, will that break
the rachet for unscrewing the lock nut?

Thanks,

The socket might not be deep enough. Take it out of the store and test how deep it goes on.

I use a 1/2 drive 2' handle, not a ratchet, with a short pipe for an extension, then just stand on the end of the pipe. The same probably won't break your ratchet, but the 1/2" handle is designed for the stress.

[virtualkuz]

You should get a specialized wheel nut socket. Pep boys has them for about $10-15. They are 6 points. You risk rounding off your wheel nut with a 12 point. If you have a decent 1/2" drive rachet you can use a pipe, but I wouldn't give it more than 125-150 ft/lbs of force. You may want to pick up a basic 1/2" breaker bar so you don't screw up the rachet.

[AdamS]

Utilize the tool loaning that most store offer. One of the things that Autozone loans is 1/2" drive axle nut sockets.

refer to this thread:
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t67477.html

-Adam

[shanzhu1]

the socket. But it seems that they do not have a breaker bar to loan.
I will check with autozone for that.

Thanks,

[AdamS]

A breaker bar is a whole lot cheaper than the socket! Plus you can reuse a breaker bar for many things, just get a 1/2" to 3/8" adapter!

-Adam

[shanzhu1]

more, right?


I thought the socket is cheaper. Am I mistaken?

Yeah, I think you are right. A breaker bar is more re-usable.
But, I found a good one is pretty expensive.

Thanks,

[fredk]

just swing by a local shop and have them loosten the axle nuts a couple turns, snug em back up and go home and do the job, just dont drive very far

[Dr Tweak]

Is the nut 12 point or 6 point?

If it's 6 point, there's a special tool most parts stores have that is basically a 30mm impact deep socket. If it's 12 point, that won't work... so just get a regular 30mm 12 point socket, that's what I used on a '98 Corolla the other day and it worked fine.

[shanzhu1]

did your Corolla using regular 12 pt? or it is a typo?

[fredk]

a 12 point nut for the axle?

[rusty9]

you could go to a local shop and ask to borrow an axle socket. im sure they'd lend it to you if you left a deposit. i would

[fredk]

just have the shop loosten them up