Tools – what size range in combination wrenches?

[Robert]

Going forward I will be spinning the wrenches on my Jeep Grand Cherokee 2005 model year. Owning many of these I know that I will need shocks, struts, CV Axle boots, bearings, brakes, things like that. I will also be doing fluid changes like oil, axle, transfer case, automatic transmission, etc.

I own a good set of metric and standard sockets and wrenches but have few combination wrenches.

So, I would like to purchase a set of 24 or 36 SAE and Metric combination wrenches. What size range should I shop? 8mm to 22mm and 1/4″ to 1″, or something different?

Topic

[Joe]

the most common sizes I use are metric 8mm-26mm (though I rarely use sizes like 20mm, 23mm, and 26mm outside of uncommon alignments). 9mm, 11mm, and 16mm are also kinda rare, but when you need them you need them.

as far as sae sizes go you won’t need anything really big. smaller sizes like 1/4″, 5/16″, 3/8″, 7/16″, and 9/16″ are sometimes needed though.

granted I work on a lot more than just jeeps, so some of the things I list might be overkill, but IMO it’s always better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

[Ken]

Yeah I just used a 1″ wrench (25.4mm or ~26mm) adjusting the rear toe on a Pontiac today. I do use a 16mm socket quite often on drain plugs on American cars like Fords because it’s a 5/8 of course. (5/8 inch = 15.88mm)

I use 13/16″ (20.64mm), 15/16″ (23.81mm), and 1″ 24mm wrenches on alignments a lot. They basically cross over to 21mm, 22mm, 24mm and are more than close enough (maybe the 13/16″ is a little too small.) Buy a nice six-point Gearwrench set of wrenches like this one that has both SAE and Metric: http://thecoolesttools.com/gearwrench-28pc-6-point-metricsae-master-wrench-set-sk-superkrome-13pc-set/

I almost never use a 12-point wrench and feel much more comfortable with 6-point. I’ve rounded off bolts with 12-point before but never with a six-point. Spline/Universal wrenches/sockets have been tried and tested, and though at first I was skeptical, they’re the real deal, and I trust spline/universal much much more than 12-point.

Did use a 7mm wrench last week on a GM coolant bleeder valve so that came in handy. You should be set with a set like that one.

[Robert]

Thank you Hitachi and quickNpainless. I did purchase the 28pc 6pt Gearwrench set for a couple of reasons. The wrench size range was nice, 6pt made sense given that most of the bolts under my Jeep are rusted from East coast weather, and Gearwrench had a good reputation. My other option was a Craftsman set as they made the same exact kit in 6pt. Who knows, maybe they are from the same manufacturer with different finishes and stamps. Cost to the door was good too at $75.

[Jamie]

[quote=”quickNpainless” post=102322]but IMO it’s always better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.[/quote]

Or as I say, The best tool in the tool box is the one you didn’t have an needed most.

[Author]

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