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Gator Wrench Sockets-Any Good?


155V6

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Anyone had any experience of these?.I've been removing the rear beam from my Rover 25 donor car to fit into my ZR Express which I'm rebuilding after I crashed it.One of the bolts which goes through the bottom of the shock absorber wouldn't come undone & I managed to round it off.I've seen the sockets on Ebay,but never actually knew much about them.Alternatively,any other ideas how to get the bolt out,I was thinking I may be able to get someone to weld something to it,but I'd rather do it myself if I can.

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^^ As above, Irwin or the win (sorry about that!). Stilsons will work but will ruin the nut usually (not an issue here tho').

 

Gator grips are a lovely idea in theory but utterly shit in my two or three experiences of using them. Maybe I'm doing something wrong but I couldn't get on with them. 

 

I got a full set of Irwin (box plus top up set) from Amazon when last year when they were on offer for a silly low price - worth a check to see if any offers still on. 

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I was also going to recommend the Irwins, I have a set and they're great. If it's for a bottom shock bolt you might struggle depending on size, I think that they go up to about 19mm (I can't check my set as they're currently in my brothers' workshop).

 

I would also recommend Plus Gas and heat.

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^^ Agree Gator are ok for the kids plastic tool kit....but on metal ...crap!!

Mr Gator and all the "OTHER COPIES" must be making them Brewsters  think every one on the planet has forked out for only to disappointed then they get chucked in a corner of your toolbox. :-(  :mad:

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Update-I tried the smaller socket,but it still hasn't moved.I've been looking at the Irwins,price is not too bad but not sure about sizes.The bolt is 15mm which works out at 19/32,but the sets only seem to have 16mm(5/8)or 14mm(9/16).How tight fitting do they need to be to work properly?.There are cheaper bolt removers which have a 15mm size,but the reviews don't seem to be nearly as good so I guess you get what you pay for with these?.

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The Irwin ones taper in towards the rear of the socket, so there might be one that fits.

 

Screwfix do their own brand version, I've never used them http://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-bolt-nut-remover-set-6-pieces/6083D?kpid=6083D&cm_mmc=Google-_-Product%2520Listing%2520Ads-_-Sales%2520Tracking-_-sales%2520tracking%2520url&gclid=CODvoNayu9MCFeUp0wodigkLew&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CPXBrdayu9MCFY8R0wodAuEFkQ

 

One of the reviews mention that they only go up to 14mm but the reviewer was able to hammer it onto a 15mm bolt and use an 18" breaker bar on it. They're a cheaper option at £13

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They need to be pretty tight so just hammer the 14mm onto it. Don't be shy with it make sure it's well attached. The bolt will likely be stuck in the grip after it's removed but easy enough to sort in a vice etc.

 

They're worth the money for the time they save you. Use mine a lot and have so far always worked.

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Well,the Screwfix(Erbauer) grips did the job.I hammered on the 14mm grip & the bolt came undone with a lot of leverage.It was really tight all the way out though,this was because the bolt was rusted into the sleeve through the bottom of the shock.As I undid it,it was ripping the sleeve out of the rubber bush.Once the bolt was undone,I had to cut the bottom of the shock away,then I was able to cut the bolt into bits,& eventually pull it out in pieces.

Two weeks to get one bolt out,that's bad even for me  :shock:

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