Wheel protector impact sockets

[DCDG]

What began as the Shadetree mechanic wrenching on my own personal vehicles has grown into helping family and friends out with their auto woes. I am now starting to acquire more hand and power tools a long with test equipment for automotive wrenching and I am looking to add some wheel saver impact sockets. These also have to be fairly thin walled I noticed on my wife's Nissan with alloys my sockets for lugs were a bit snug. this is the set I was eyeballing.

Wheel saver sockets

 

[GaryMX5]

I know little about the brand you have chosen. Hazet and Koken are often considered a premium option but you will pay for the privilege. My son has a Sunex set and they seem to work just fine. Me, I'm a cheapo and have a set of Hart's (Walmart brand) and guess what...they work just fine for occasional home garage use as well.

 

[DCDG]

I know little about the brand you have chosen. Hazet and Koken are often considered a premium option but you will pay for the privilege. My son has a Sunex set and they seem to work just fine. Me, I'm a cheapo and have a set of Hart's (Walmart brand) and guess what...they work just fine for occasional home garage use as well.

Guess that puts me in your category I ain't making a living with these tools Sir cheapo myself I happen to always find the good in a tool or product that costs less. Learned years ago the tool price doesn't make the mechanic.

 

[tcp71]

I bought these in late 2023. Been using them to change wheels in the spring and fall on 5 vehicles. they fit all my cars and trucks.
I'm cheap. They've been fine for me.

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09NBN7V8M?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_9&th=1

 

[rstsco]

I bought this WorkPro 1/2" thin-walled, non-marring lug net set off Amazon and have used the 22mm several times swapping all season/winter tires on the Pilot. I like that they are different colors which makes it even easier for me to grab the correct one on the first try. Current "coupon price" is $26.72.

 

[Leo99]

I have the Titan 21mm that fits my Toyotas. It's about $14 each off Amazon. Only needed the one so didn't think about buying a set.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

After scratching one of my own rims with regular impact socket, I splurged on myself and got the Koken set with 17, 19, 21 but also had to buy a 22mm for the Pilot. I like them. The less expensive probably would have been just fine but I lack willpower when I see these shiny things others recommend.

Just like the Milwaukee impact gun. How did I survive so long with out it? I look at the 4 way lug wrenches in my garage and have PTSD flashbacks.

 

[PKFan]

After scratching one of my own rims with regular impact socket, I splurged on myself and got the Koken set with 17, 19, 21 but also had to buy a 22mm for the Pilot.

I did the same for our Toyotas, with the 22 for the Tundra. Love 'em (and colorful, too).

 

[Urshurak776]

I bought this WorkPro 1/2" thin-walled, non-marring lug net set off Amazon and have used the 22mm several times swapping all season/winter tires on the Pilot. I like that they are different colors which makes it even easier for me to grab the correct one on the first try. Current "coupon price" is $26.72.

I only needed the 21mm, have 3 cars that use that size. $8.99 on Amazon. Works great.

 

[Michigangster]

I've had this set for the last three years or so, it has worked well for me:

https://www.mishimoto.com/5-piece-non-marring-1-2-wheel-nut-socket-set.html

 

[D60]

Most flip sockets are deliberately thinner to begin with. I've only ever needed non-marring on aftermarket wheels.

I've never needed anything other than flip sockets on stock Toyota wheels for sure.

Is OP using basic 1/2" impact sockets?

 

[DCDG]

This is what I currently use
https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-drive-impact-flip-socket-set-3-piece-62491.html

 

[Nukeman7]

I prefer the sleeved sockets with the extended shaft because they allow you to easily thread the lugs onto the studs by hand before using the impact wrench.

Casoman 3pc. Lug Sockets

 

[Rand]

I have the old version of the HF Pittsburg set. I broke the 19mm and replaced it with a thinwall that I wrapped with tape.

The newer pittsburgh pro set is cr-mo and seems decent
https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in...lug-nut-impact-socket-set-11-piece-69829.html

Those extended sockets look interesting but I also need 7/8 for the Ram.
Hyundai is 21mm and Subaru is 19mm

 

[DCDG]

I prefer the sleeved sockets with the extended shaft because they allow you to easily thread the lugs onto the studs by hand before using the impact wrench.

Casoman 3pc. Lug Sockets

those are nice

 

[Rand]

holy Carp I looked up the koken's $337 for 4 piece with hard case.

Edit: I was pondering splurging, you can get the 3 piece no case for less than half that.
ordered a workpro 19mm for $8.88 I'm very hard on 19mm for some reason I don't want to split another socket and ruin 2 lug nuts
so I replace it every 3 years or so.

Of the rest of my set only the 21 gets major use. the 7/8 3 tire rotations a year maybe.

 

[Nukeman7]

those are nice

They also give you more clearance from the fenders when using the torque wrench.

 

[D60]

I just checked on stock alloys on an '11 Outback: a Craftsman 1/2" impact socket simply won't fit, period. My flip socket (which happens to be SnapOn but wouldn't need to be) fits easily

Typically aftermarket uses spline drive (aka tuner lugs, yo!) and if they're not, they probably should be. I've seen hex lugs crammed in aftermarket wheels and it can get ridiculous, even if you step down from, say, 21mm to 19mm hex

 

[The Critic]

I just checked on stock alloys on an '11 Outback: a Craftsman 1/2" impact socket simply won't fit, period. My flip socket (which happens to be SnapOn but wouldn't need to be) fits easily

Typically aftermarket uses spline drive (aka tuner lugs, yo!) and if they're not, they probably should be. I've seen hex lugs crammed in aftermarket wheels and it can get ridiculous, even if you step down from, say, 21mm to 19mm hex

Tekton makes a 19/21mm flip socket that is even thinner than the Snap on thinwall impact sockets.

The sleeved wheel sockets tend to be thicker than a thinwall impact socket. The plastic can still marr the inside of the wheel if allowed to make contact.

 

[DCDG]

Thanks all I appreciate the input I decided to go with this set. They'll be here in the AM if they feel lousy back they'll go.