Drain plug socket set recommendations please.

Joined
Feb 21, 2003
Messages
800
Location
Chicago
I have new vehicles and older in the family fleet.Two Subies,1Rav,1 Ridgeline.
I have used 3/8 drive and anything that will work to loosen and tighten differential drain plugs.
Well no more! I had some saved old threads but lost them.
I need suggestions on a decent set of tools moderately priced to fit different applications.
The new Forester and Ridgeline will be the next up.
Any suggestions from Bitoger's would be great!
Thank you
 
This is the best $99 you can spend for a nice starter tool kit. Lowe's offers this once a year for their Black Friday sale, but in limited quantities. Once the supply is sold out, they are gone for another year.

1732156726593.webp
 
Last edited:
Maybe a Harbor Freight socket set and torque wrench? I have a minimal set at our Petaluma house that has come in handy more than once.

You might wanna check local pawn shops, Craigslist and garage sales. You might be rockin' Snap On.
 
Aren't differential plugs typically square? I don't have real wide brand experience, but that's the case on classic Chevys and somewhat recent Hondas.

Not that the ratchets in that kit won't work - this comment is for all those discussing the number of points on sockets, and quick-drain valves.
 
Are you looking for something like this?


I have found that the 3/8" socket in this set, which has much less radius on the corners than the typical 3/8" ratchet, fits much better in a diff drain plug. It doesn't have a tendency to want to come out, and round the corners of the plug.

I've had this set for several years. The only down side is there are a lot of odd sockets that I will probably never use. But there are a few of them that I need, so at the price, it is worth it.
 
The Kobalt set mentioned above is a good buy. This time of year is the best time to buy tools.

My other picks are Tekton, Capri, and GearWrench. I bought my dad a 3/8” metric Tekton set a few years ago. Shallow and deep well sockets with no skips. It’s a nice set.
 
I got some time today to search.
Anyone have Titan tool experience?
Made in Taiwan might be better than Chinese Chineseium.
Thank you for the suggestions.

Screenshot_20241208_212414_Chrome.webp


Screenshot_20241208_212424_Chrome.webp
 
Are you looking for something like this?


I have found that the 3/8" socket in this set, which has much less radius on the corners than the typical 3/8" ratchet, fits much better in a diff drain plug. It doesn't have a tendency to want to come out, and round the corners of the plug.

I've had this set for several years. The only down side is there are a lot of odd sockets that I will probably never use. But there are a few of them that I need, so at the price, it is worth it.

This is what I purchased .
Should fit multiple vehicles.
I will be using soon.
Thank you for the suggestion.
 
Back
Top