Stuck socket in wheel spacer

[Irod]

What a crappy day. Went to install my new wheel spacers and the socket stuck in the hole on the third bolt. I got it part way out but it痴 really stuck in there. Any ideas?

 

[ruffdog]

Can you loosen the nut? Maybe the nut will drive the socket out of the hole then?

 

[jabelding]

Second reversing the socket and using the nut to drive it out. Squirt oil inside and out first so it will lesson the chance galling and put a big breaker bar or hd impact on it and let her have it!

 

[Irod]

Only problem is the socket isn’t touching the bolt... I was able to pull the socket part way out. I’m nervous about pounding the socket back in and getting it stuck more.

 

[jabelding]

Put a long extension in it and work it back and forth sideways until it comes out, again squirt it with oil in and out. Other option is a slide hammer with a hook that can go in the drive hole.

 

[Irod]

Got it out! Charged the battery for the impact driver and sprayed lots of lube and Let it rip. Turns out the markings on the socket were the problem.

 

[coldsteelva]

Yep. Those knurled grooves were not going to help you out. The clearances on the spacers are so tight, you need a smooth-wall and/or thin wall socket for sure.

 

[Diggin It]

Yep. Those knurled grooves were not going to help you out.

Look at the original picture and the marks on the second picture. It wasn't the knurls, but rather the raised edges around the stamped letters/numbers. Some emery cloth might help knock those down without degrading integrity of the socket walls.

 

[WranglerX]

Think If I go spacers I think I will test socket first.... Don't see any raised lettering on my Proto brand sockets, guess its depends on who or where they were made.... Also not to keen on using non impact rated sockets with impact tool, Yeah I know we all do it (with reservations) ,... Think If socket had cracked and expanded, that would have been a real mess, not just a inconvenience....

Dale

 

[joeyd]

Glad this didn't turn into a rounded off drain plug thread! :laughing:

 

[Irod]

Here’s an update. I originally thought the raised lettering was the problem. Today I ground all the lettering and knurled edge off the socket. Tried tightening a bolt and the socket wouldn’t come out, but this time I was smart enough to loosen the bolt and I was able to get the socket out. Not wanting to repeat last night, it was off to the parts store for a new socket but this time I take the spacer with me to make sure it fits right. Well, the new socket didn’t work either, at least not until I ground it down a lot, tapered the front and smeared it with oil. Then it worked okay as long as the socket was lubed. I think the holes in the spacer are all out of spec and something is preventing the socket from coming out when the bolts are torqued down. If I loosen the bolt a bit I can remove the socket, strange.
Good news is it’s done!
Joeyd-I thought the same thing last night.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

Glad this didn't turn into a rounded off drain plug thread! :laughing:

Don't speak too soon!

 

[WranglerX]

I think there needs to be a conversation with manufacturer of spacer...

Dale

 

[Diggin It]

I think the holes in the spacer are all out of spec and something is preventing the socket from coming out when the bolts are torqued down. If I loosen the bolt a bit I can remove the socket, strange.

Sounds like some thing is off-center or off-kilter just a scosh and forces the socket against the side of the spacer when tightened.

If I loosen the bolt a bit I can remove the socket, strange.
Good news is it痴 done!

What's done? Loose bolts on wheel spacers doesn't seem 'done'.

 

[Irod]

Sounds like some thing is off-center or off-kilter just a scosh and forces the socket against the side of the spacer when tightened.




What's done? Loose bolts on wheel spacers doesn't seem 'done'.

I should have been a little clearer... Both wheel spaces are mounted and I have two freshly gound sockets!

 

[WranglerX]

Aaaah in house NAPA junk sockets.....

Dale