1/2" to 3/8" Husky Impact Adaptor broken

[Sequoiasoon]

Are the Icon ones more heavy duty? Any other brands? I don't want to spend crazy $$ because I don't use them that often as I can usually use the correct 1/2" drive socket. My thought is on my Accord the Transmission fill and drain plugs only have a 3/8" square hole. Last time that fill plug was so tight I made sure I pulled away from windshield in case I slipped. To get to the fill plug you need a LONG 1/2" extension because the 3/8" just twists too much. Maybe I weakened this prior since it does not sit all the way in the plug (cleaned/scraped etc first). It probably rests right at the retainer ball. I already exchanged for a new one at Home Depot.

Today's adventure was the swollen chrome caps on Jeep Renegade lug bolts so I could rotate tires, after fixing the broken elbow on squirter bottle.

My Impact sockets were too tight so I tried a regular 6 point 17mm which I only have 3/8". I got one off, then the adapter snapped .

Rest of lugs need to have the impact socket tapped on with mallet and then the lug bolt beat back out after. In total 6 of the 20 caps came off which is good because then it's a 16mm instead of 17mm.

 

[GMBoy]

I have broken 5 adapters over the past few years and they were 2 Pittsburghs, a Kolbalt, a Mac and a snap on. They just can't take that much torque and I was using a 25" breaker bar which is considered abuse. With that being said to remove a fill plug you can get a socket for that and you may be better off otherwise I would use a good mid grade adapter with a warranty and go easy on it lol

 

[Trav]

These are the same lug bolts used on many Euro cars, this is applicable to them, use never seize. A weighted socket helps a lot with stuck ones.

 

[Hootbro]

That is always the risk of drive size adapters, especially step down ones. I do not know if it is the case now, but most of the tool truck brands would have a warranty exclusion for their size adapters because of it.

 

[clinebarger]

I learned pretty quick to not use adaptors, They break....That's what they do.

 

[Chris142]

That size always breaks. Snap on makes a 2 piece one and they only replace the 3/8 square when it breaks..Theres is only rated for 2000 inlbs.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

I have broken 5 adapters over the past few years and they were 2 Pittsburghs, a Kolbalt, a Mac and a snap on. They just can't take that much torque and I was using a 25" breaker bar which is considered abuse. With that being said to remove a fill plug you can get a socket for that and you may be better off otherwise I would use a good mid grade adapter with a warranty and go easy on it lol

This is transmission sitting sideways from another user. Fill and drain are round, no socket. The fill is directly on top, flat.

 

[D60]

For stubborn drain plugs I prefer an impact -- usually. You have a greater chance of "shocking" them free. Loading up a huge lever slowly seems more likely to round it out.

I put one-piece lugbolts on my parents' KL:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09WMP82J7/

Consider half-size impact sockets in 1/2" drive for future problems.

But yeah, adapters break. The SnapOn isn't that expensive and looks to have a replaceable square bit.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

These are the same lug bolts used on many Euro cars, this is applicable to them, use never seize. A weighted socket helps a lot with stuck ones.

View attachment 236811

I bought the new 1 piece ones so hopefully no issues in future. I'll probably do the light grease/anti-seize in future. The main problem was I couldn't the 17mm socket on. That would have really sucked road side since lug wrench didn't fit either.

 

[clinebarger]

That size always breaks. Snap on makes a 2 piece one and they only replace the 3/8 square when it breaks..Theres is only rated for 2000 inlbs.

I have a 24" Snap-on 1/2" to 3/8" extension that I use for Bellhousing bolts, Rated at 2000 in/lbs, I've ripped on it with impacts for over 15 years without breaking it. I know that long of a extension will absorb a lot of torque....But I've abused it badly!

 

[cptbarkey]

I don’t use adapters unless absolutely necessary. Buy the correct sockets.

 

[Carmudgeon]

I've sheared an old school Craftsman, when it was still Craftsman, on an overtorqued lug. The entire square drive just broke cleanly off from the rest.

But luckily, that was when Sears was still around and they replaced it no problem.

My solution was to obtain the appropriate sockets so I didn't need to use an adapter going forward.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

I don’t use adapters unless absolutely necessary. Buy the correct sockets.

17mm is the correct. That is factory lug wrench and jack. Problem was swollen/corroded caps so it wouldn't fit. 18mm a bit loose and just rounded off the cap. If cap comes free it's easy as 16mm is the HEX under it.

Hammering your impact socket on to 20 lug bolts to use something through the socket to hammer bolt out afterward shouldn't be use of "correct" socket.

It was a try with the adapter as the 3/8" drive 17mm Husky non-impact was a bit looser. Didn't work since Jeep dealer had them on very tight also.

 

[AutoMechanic]

When those swell up I typically use an 11/16 socket on them which is basically 17.5mm. Regarding adapters rarely ever use them but I’ve had really good luck with Capri ones. The one I twisted one time was also a Husky. Home Depot would not warranty it. I have the Capri ones I have in my work box. They hold up very well. At home I’ve just cheap ones but all of them have held up.

 

[Trav]

This is transmission sitting sideways from another user. Fill and drain are round, no socket. The fill is directly on top, flat.
View attachment 236831
View attachment 236832

For those these are tool..

https://kokenusa.com/collections/it...4LFOAs4oRt1ZPlE91rA1d0BtG4b-Bq-aIxkNQLgl6YJV7

 

[GMBoy]

This is transmission sitting sideways from another user. Fill and drain are round, no socket. The fill is directly on top, flat.
View attachment 236831
View attachment 236832

I have a set similar to this that help with stubborn drain and fill plugs:

https://www.amazon.com/TITAN-51771-...pcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A2ADIIKJ97TE1O

 

[Chris142]

This is transmission sitting sideways from another user. Fill and drain are round, no socket. The fill is directly on top, flat.
View attachment 236831
View attachment 236832

There is a special tool made just for that. I have the whole set.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

For those these are tool..

https://kokenusa.com/collections/it...4LFOAs4oRt1ZPlE91rA1d0BtG4b-Bq-aIxkNQLgl6YJV7

I didn't see a 1/2" drive to 3/8" square in those? Do you have one with a part#

In order to get to the fill plug you need like a 12" or longer extension so anything less than 1/2" just twists where something else feels liek it will snap. Common conversation from many when I searched.

I have a set similar to this that help with stubborn drain and fill plugs:

https://www.amazon.com/TITAN-51771-...pcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A2ADIIKJ97TE1O

I'm trying to understand the 3/8" drive to 3/8" square in that. I presume those (and the ones Trav listed) don't have the ball detent/retainer so maybe stronger. The one Trav listed have a magnet in them.

I still need to adapt down from the 1/2" to the 3/8 before that.

There is a special tool made just for that. I have the whole set.

Links please.

 

[Chris142]

I didn't see a 1/2" drive to 3/8" square in those? Do you have one with a part#

In order to get to the fill plug you need like a 12" or longer extension so anything less than 1/2" just twists where something else feels liek it will snap. Common conversation from many when I searched.


I'm trying to understand the 3/8" drive to 3/8" square in that. I presume those (and the ones Trav listed) don't have the ball detent/retainer so maybe stronger. The one Trav listed have a magnet in them.

I still need to adapt down from the 1/2" to the 3/8 before that.


Links please.

https://www.matcotools.com/catalog/...bc4XG1QuCg5_CrznL92GcScJYcvPUGnrT7w3to7g2PA4t

 

[Sequoiasoon]

https://www.matcotools.com/catalog/...bc4XG1QuCg5_CrznL92GcScJYcvPUGnrT7w3to7g2PA4t

View attachment 237014

Thank you. I see a Matco guy randomly on travels but will stop next time. I might just order 1 (or 3) of the 3/8 square one.

Once the plug is broken free it's no issue. Even not being torqued much going back in, the next time it is a PITA to break free.