Non scratch socket for lug bolts?

Westcoaster

Westcoaster

300 MPH
Speed Member
Messages
300
Reaction score
0
Points
0
I found a set at Jack's tools: But I really only need the one for the Boxster

http://www.jackstoolshed.com/product/02410...Molybdenum.html

The one I remember seeing looked like the front edge was molded HDPE. The impact socket I have been using seem a bit loose and I don't want to damage the newly installed stainless steel lug bolts by rounding the edges with a poor fitting socket. :(


Thanks
 
I fixed it. Try now.

BTW - I also found these. Seems like someon one this side of the pond should have something like them.
 
Vertex has a 19mm soft socket that's pretty cheap. I think I got mine for like $9 when I ordered chrome wheel bolts. After that they were even giving them away for free with orders. Now you wouldn't want to use an impact wrench with these as I don't think they would hold up to much abuse, but they work just fine for me with a regular wrench and torque wrench. Basically it's a soft metal insert that fits inside a 24mm socket. They provide the insert and 24mm socket together. So it doesn't look like the fancier sockets you provided links to.
 
Last edited:
Kirk said:
Vertex has a 19mm soft socket that's pretty cheap. I think I got mine for like $9 when I ordered chrome wheel bolts. After that they were even giving them away for free with orders. Now you wouldn't want to use an impact wrench with these as I don't think they would hold up to much abuse, but they work just fine for me with a regular wrench and torque wrench. Basically it's a soft metal insert that fits inside a 22mm socket. They provide the insert and 22mm socket together. So it doesn't look like the fancier sockets you provided links to.
Click to expand...

Tom, thanks for the link, that socket looks like it might work too, the company that Kirk mentions has the style I saw, notice how the leading edge has the 'soft' material.

Kirk, how well does the socket you have work? Vertex is selling a 'Porsche specific' unit now, too bad the price matches at $24... ;)

http://www.vertexauto.com/ShowItem/4226 Porsche Lug Nut Soft Socket.aspx

Interesting, now that you provided the term 'soft socket' Google is once again my friend, my earlier searches were fruitless, but with 'soft socket' I am finding lots of hits. Pelican also sells the socket. I guess it is in how you ask the question!
 
Last edited:
I have been doing some reading and came across this on the Corvette forum:

I need to point out again that the Soft Socket that is shown is a 24 mm socket with a 19 mm nylon insert. Be sure you can fit it in the lug nut hole before you buy it. I have iForged wheels and the hole is way to small for that socket even though the lug nut is 19 mm.
Click to expand...

Maybe the style Tom showed is necessary to fit some wheels, I'll need to check mine before I buy either style.

So far I have seen sockets with nylon inserts, aluminum inserts and those with just a protective outer covering.

Appearently NAPA sells one like Tom found, I can't seem to find it in their online store though. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?p=1564399136
 
If you are worried about protecting the wheels then a thin-wall socket with a wrap of Duct Tape would probably do the trick. If you have also upgraded to chrome lug bolts then that's a different problem ;)
 
Tom M said:
If you are worried about protecting the wheels then a thin-wall socket with a wrap of Duct Tape would probably do the trick. If you have also upgraded to chrome lug bolts then that's a different problem ;)
Click to expand...


Hi Tom, that is just it, I have just installed stainless steel aftermarket bolts, I want to protect not only the wheels but the bolts as well. There are aluminum lined sockets on eBay right now, approximately 30mm in diameter, these may be the best to protect the bolts, not the wheel though, looks like you can either have protection on either the inside or the outside but not both.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=250284860194

I finally found the socket from NAPA at the online store, $9.99

http://www.napaonline.com/NOLPPSE/(S(4cvo2455l3pul145ovjl5je2))/Detail.aspx?R=NPT618619_0006572290

Now I have to see if I can order to Canada or order at the local NAPA store.
 
Westcoaster said:
Kirk, how well does the socket you have work? Vertex is selling a 'Porsche specific' unit now, too bad the price matches at $24... ;)

http://www.vertexauto.com/ShowItem/4226 Porsche Lug Nut Soft Socket.aspx
Click to expand...

It works fine for my chrome bolts, but I've only owned the bolts and socket for a few months, so time will tell. Still it doesn't seem to damage or scratch the bolts. It's a little bit annoying to work with because the soft insert doesn't want to stay in place as it's not securely held inside the 24mm socket, but a little super glue could fix that. It fits inside the aftermarket BSA wheels I have fine, although there certainly is limited clearance.

I don't know for sure if the material is aluminum or some kind of plastic. I don't think it's plastic/nylon though. I'm careful with it as there's a website that does write-ups on Boxster mods and they had one break on them...

The Vertex link you provided is EXACTLY what I bought, except I paid something like $9. Just recently they were free with certain orders. If you want a discounted price just call Vertex and ask them. I bought my chrome bolts off of them and got them discounted. Vertex also sells on eBay, so you might want to check out their eBay store.

Kirk
 
Last edited:
Westcoaster said:
http://www.vertexauto.com/ShowItem/4226 Porsche Lug Nut Soft Socket.aspx
Click to expand...

I've seen some testing and reviews out there (I've hunted for it but can't seem to locate at the moment... sorry) that the plastic sleeves in these particular ones break and crack, and have problems leaving the material jammed in the lug bolt hole... messy. When they work, they work great, I also hear... BUT

Because of that, I just got these:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=40035

They work great, don't scratch anything, and even have a little extra room around each corner to prevent rounding off, and that pressure is applied to the bolt faces. Very happy... there's also a smaller set, with only 4 sockets that includes the 19mm, that's cheaper. So far so good.
 
Yeah I saw the Harbor Freight units, I have found some on eBay as well, NAPA also sells them as singles for $9.99. I say aluminum lined units from the UK, maybe a little more durable.

I saw that some have clearance around the 'point' so that they don't round the edge, that would be good too.

I need to check both set of wheels I have for clearance before I buy something.
 
I'm not necessarily trying to push the Vertex soft sockets. I do believe mine looks a bit fragile, so I am careful with it. But.... they're free again at Vertex with an order of $150. I just got the announcement in my e-mail (funny timing). If there's something else you want from Vertex you might think about going this route. Heck as it's free, so you can always try it and buy something later if you don't like it.

http://www.vertexauto.com/blowout23/092408.htm
 
Westcoaster said:
I need to check both set of wheels I have for clearance before I buy something.
Click to expand...


Don't really understand what you mean, but ok. :)

FWIW, the sleeves on the Harbor Freights wrap around the tip as well. The only spots I can tell where metal to metal contact happens are the bolt faces... All the other surfaces of the socket are covered, wrapped, drilled out, or otherwise protected inside and out.

Be that as it may, no matter which socket you get or how careful you are, the bolt faces get a lot of pressure applied to them, which I would think will eventually wear away the chrome there. At some point you'll probably need to have them repolished anyway.

A plating shop will do a bead blast job on all 20 bolts for pretty cheap... seems like you're way overthinking the socket to me, but then again, I understand the carefulness feelings too. :)
 
By clearance, I mean the available room around the bolt itself. I read reports that some wheels didn't allow for much room around the bolt so a 'fat' socket would not fit into the recess.

I measured the wheels I have and they won't accept a socket with an outer diameter greater the 32mm.

Can you guys measure the overall diameter of the 19mm sockets that you have?

thanks!
 
The Voxster said:
Sure... What wheels do you have, though?
Click to expand...

I have the originally supplied 17" Boxster wheels, these are the one's where socket clearance would be the issue, the bolts are quite recessed.

The second set are Cayman S 18" and they should pose no problem as the bolts are pretty much exposed on those. (note, the stainless bolts)

Below are the two wheels styles, as you can see the 17" have the bolts quite shrouded, were as the 18" are exposed. The third picture is the NAPA socket.
 

Attachments

  • 17 inch 046.jpg
    17 inch 046.jpg
    69.8 KB · Views: 9
  • 18 inch 045.jpg
    18 inch 045.jpg
    58.3 KB · Views: 10
  • 19mm NAPA socket.jpg
    19mm NAPA socket.jpg
    3.4 KB · Views: 19
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top