Stuck socket in wheel spacer

Irod · Apr 15, 2019

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 · Apr 15, 2019

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

jabelding · Apr 15, 2019

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 · Apr 15, 2019

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 · Apr 15, 2019

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 · Apr 15, 2019

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 · Apr 16, 2019

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 · Apr 16, 2019

coldsteelva said:
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 · Apr 16, 2019

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