Lug bolts, sockets and tools

[Richard Beels]

The best lugnut removal sockets I've come across is the 6pt. black oxide 
impact set from Harbor Freight.  It might be their in-house Pittsburgh 
brand or even <gasp> generic.  But I've used them for 6 years ago (BiLs set 
for the first 4 and mine for the last 2) and there's been zero roundage and 
zero breakage.  And that's with an IR 231 and IR 2131 and thousands of 
hammer strokes from them.  I've used them on lugs and removing suspension 
bolts and think it's one of the best deals going from them...

Just changed the snow tires of Gecko tonight and the rear wheels were 
NOTICABLY more difficult to remove.  Ran out of anti-seize putting the 
fronts on last fall - actually I was out before I started and used the last 
of the spark plug anti-seize stick.  Lugs sticky and both wheels stuck to 
the rotors.

And one of the outer tie rod seals was torn <sigh>.  Anybody got a spare 
one they want to donate for a future beer?

At 09:56 PM 4/10/2001,  TM was inspired to say:

>Listers- while we're talking about lug bolts, can someone please give
>me a recommendation on a brand of socket that will not round the corners
>of my lug bolts? I have Craftsman sockets now and they don't cut it. I
>can get Kobalt and Husky locally with ease; Snap-On with some effort
>and Facom via mail order. Who makes the best 17mm 1/2" drive socket,
>suitable for use on lug bolts, cost no object?


Cheers,
	Richard
	North of Philly, PA
	88 90Q "Hannu" - K+N, new vac hoses, lubed U-Joint, still 0.0 bar....
	88 90Q "Gecko" - from the factory cupholders
	89 Civic Si - should paint it pink, like the bunny......