Pro tip: I had to choose between a new torque multiplier or a rebuilt one for a stubborn axle nut

Went with the rebuilt unit from a local shop in Boise, cost about half. It handled the job on a Duramax just fine, but I'm curious if anyone has a go-to brand for new ones they trust long-term.

3 comments

3 Comments

patkelly2mo ago

Local rebuilds are a solid move, saved me a ton over the years. For new stuff, I've had good luck with the basic Sunex set. It's not fancy, but the gears hold up if you keep them greased. Used mine on truck lug nuts for about three years now with no slop. Just avoid the absolute cheapest no-name ones, they strip out fast.

rivera.christopher2mo agoTop Commenter

Gotta be honest, patkelly sounds like a gear salesman. It's just a socket. How much abuse are people really giving these things on lug nuts? Slop after three years? Mine are from a gas station parking lot sale, probably ten years old. They still turn the bolt.

wadefoster22d ago

Bought a set of no-name sockets from a flea market back in 2015, figured how bad could they be. First time I tried to break a rusted lug nut on my old Ford the damn thing twisted right off. Not the nut, the socket. The metal just gave up like butter. Ever since then I stick to the mid range stuff, not the top shelf but definitely not the bottom. My neighbor swears by his Snap-on set but I can't stomach those prices. Sunex sounds about right, I got a similar brand from a local tool place and it's held up fine even with my heavy handed impact gun.