Sockets w/protective sleeves....

[YankeeFan]

I know some of you must have these to protect your wheels, so I have a question. Received the sockets today, so I take the 19mm socket out and try to use it on a front wheel, low and behold it doesn't fit! It appears they didn't compensate for the thickness of the plastic sleeve!!!! No idea what to do now, it doesn't make sense. Anyone have a suggestion, solution or similar situation?

Thanks,
Howard

[killrflake]

I think I know what your going through. I bought a set of sockets like you describe from Griot's garage and had the same problem. On aftermarket wheels they where quite a bit to wide and proved to be useless. I wound up going to Sears and buying their thin wall sockets in the sizes I needed and just rapping some electrical tape around them. I try to be a little extra careful and have yet to scratch a wheel. The sockets with the sleeves on them do work on the factory wheels on my Infiniti.

[YankeeFan]

I think I know what your going through. I bought a set of sockets like you describe from Griot's garage and had the same problem. On aftermarket wheels they where quite a bit to wide and proved to be useless. I wound up going to Sears and buying their thin wall sockets in the sizes I needed and just rapping some electrical tape around them. I try to be a little extra careful and have yet to scratch a wheel. The sockets with the sleeves on them do work on the factory wheels on my Infiniti.

oh....thanks for the explanation.....bummer....

thanks,
Howard

[pt91]

mine fit fine. bought a full set from harbor freight a few years ago.

[YankeeFan]

mine fit fine. bought a full set from harbor freight a few years ago.

Can you please let me know the manufacturer? Is it Pittsburgh or another?

Howard

[ScottB]

mine fit it was some offering on a google search. I also use McGard locking lugs as they are guaranteed against chipping and triple chromed or something as such.

[YankeeFan]

Thanks for the info. I'm gonna go to Harbor Freight tomorrow as there is a store on my way home, will ask if I can test the socket before buying.

Howard

[pt91]

mine are a 3 pc. metric set 17/19/21 in a red case with no manufacturer name. pretty sure i got them from HF. used them on several of our cars with no problems.

[kevex]

It's probably going to depend on the rim style too. I know my rims lug holes are such a tight fit with barely any space left even using a thin wall socket, I can't even use tape on the socket. So I try and take my time and tape a piece of carboard just under the lug holes in case I drop a lug or the socket it'll fall away from the lip