| Socket
wrenches
A good set of socket wrenches, shown in Figure 2-8, can really
make the dif ference between enjoying your work and killing
yourself over it. Socket wrenches come in sets for a wide
variety of prices, depending on quality ar how many there
are in the set. Sets can include either a mix of SAE and metric
sockets, all SAE, or all metric pieces. Unless you've decided
to becoi a mechanic, you can buy an inexpensive set of basic
socket wrenches suit¬able for your vehicle for less than
$25.
Your
set of socket wrenches should contain the following basic
items:
? A variety of Y4-inch or %-inch
drive heads or sockets: The X-inch, ifs-inch,
and Y4-inch sockets are the ones you'll use the most, unless
you need a metric set. The metric sizes most often used are
10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 mm.
The word drive refers to the size of the square hole in each
socket where it attaches to the ratchet handle. It's easy
to remember that the smaller the drive, the smaller the job
you use it for. A Y-inch drive is for tiny areas; X-inch drive
is for the next range of sizes, typically up to SAE X or 18
mm metric; Yinch drive is for up to SAE 19, or up to 25 mm;
and other drives up to 2 inches are for really big jobs (you
won't need one of these monsters). You can use adapters to
convert sockets of one drive to fit handles of another drive.
? A spark plug socket:
This is the large socket with a soft lining to hold the spark
plug securely without damaging its soft jacket when you remove
and insert it, or when you drop it on the floor by mistake.
Spark plugs come in two sizes, so make sure to get the size
that fits the spark plugs in your car. Your owner's manual
may note the spark plug size.
?
At least one ratchet handle, to which you can fit any of the
sockets: Most sets have two or three handles with
at least one adapter. You may want to add additional adapters
to extend the handle to different sizes and adapt it to different
drives. Figure 2-9 shows the wide variety of sockets, handles,
and adapters available.
?
A flex-head handle: Although not strictly necessary,
a flex-head ho is very useful. It enables you to hold the
ratchet handle at any angli when working in tight places -
and engines are full of tight places!
? Socket extenders:
These indispensable items help you get your so1 head way down
into the bowels of your engine compartment to rea those almost-unreachable
nuts and bolts.
The
way to tell a good socket wrench set is to look at the number
of tee the ratchet handle. Most have 20 to 30 teeth. The really
good ones have 60 teeth. The more teeth the handle has, the
better it can fit into tight pl This is because you have to
move the handle only a few degrees to turn nut as much as
a cheaper handle would in many degrees. In other word ratchet
handle with 24 teeth must be moved 15 degrees to reach its
limi handle with 60 teeth has to be moved only 6 degrees to
turn a nut as far. can find instructions for using a socket
wrench in the section called
"Removing spark plugs" in Chapter 12.
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