self tightening sockets...?

Post by **j_robi** » 18 Mar 2006, 10:03

attempting a regular oil change- the sump nut is so rounded that the sockets wont touch it, tried using smaller ones and tapping them on etc.
is there some form of self-tightening sockets tool that sorts rounded nuts?
all i wanted to do was change Myrtles oil!

Post by **domiles1** » 18 Mar 2006, 10:16

This "universal socket" might help you:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GATOR-GRIP-Univer ... dZViewItem

http://www.asseenontv.com/prod-pages/gatorgrip.html

Mine has got me out of a few scrapes in the past. Sorry I cant find any better sites than these two but the thing is widely available in tool shops and Halfords etc.
The real answer is to buy a new sump plug as soon as possible!
Good luck.

Post by **REDWEDGE** » 18 Mar 2006, 10:21

Have you tried usein a 6 sided socket they are oftem better than the multi ones or if alll else fails and i've had to do it in the past get a nut and weld it good and proper through the middle of the nut to the drain plug and you should be able to get it undone and reuse it again

Post by **domiles1** » 18 Mar 2006, 11:02

Sorry J, I didnt mean to insult you with "The real answer is to buy a new sump plug as soon as possible!". I thought you were trying to tighten the plug after changing the oil as I'd seen the 'tightening' word in your post - well I've been up since 4am!
Is there enough room to get a decent set of locking pliers onto it? Sorry, I've never done an oil change on mine, but I've taken out some stubborn bolts a few times. Even more drastic is to modify the head so that a spanner will fit but its dangerous territory and can make matters worse if it goes wrong.

Post by **Plasticman** » 18 Mar 2006, 15:31

Try a shoulder drive socket which does as it says and the drive/grip is on the flanks of the bolt/nut

Mike

Post by **Headley18** » 18 Mar 2006, 20:55

I have a set of stud extractors that tighten up on the damage stud or nut, my sump plug was rounded off but with these extrctors it came undone a treat. Just make sure you have a new plug when you extract the old one

If I can find the name of the extrctors I'll post it on the site

Post by **Headley18** » 18 Mar 2006, 21:20

http://www.tool-up.co.uk/shop/diy/IRW10504634.html

Here you go there are 3 sets I got the set to fit the smallest bolts

Post by **j_robi** » 19 Mar 2006, 03:05

thanks for the replies guys. went to it earlier today, did exactly as i had done yesterday with the socket set, came off with very little problem. very strange
think i may get a nut remover tool, Headley18, how good is this tool as a general rule on rounded nuts/studs?

Post by **j_robi** » 23 Mar 2006, 13:24

welded a new nut onto the rounded sump plug, will do for now. must pick up tool for sorting rounded nuts off in future
thanks for help guys

Post by **Mocki** » 23 Mar 2006, 16:58

they shouldnt be tight enough to round the nut off anyway.......
Never try and change the oil when the sump is cold, always run the van up to operating temp before a oil change, stelle sump plug into ally sump, the sump expands quicker than the bung.

you dont need to tighten much beyond finger tight because of the copper washer.....