Allen Wrenches
 

I need to get a set of allen wrenches to work on my diesel. I have a set of small ones but there are a lot of large sized allen bolts on these cars. What sizes do you guys use the most often? What sizes or size range would be most usefull to me?

Thanks
Andrew

Get yourself a set of hex sockets. On MB's what I use the most are 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, and 17. 19mm too if youre installing a block heater ;)

I agree with John.

I have a small set of hex socket bits, 5,6,8,10, and 12. They are invaluable. Far better than any allen wrench.

For allen wrenches, you want a set of Bondhus ball end allen wrenches. These are what you want when you can't get a straight shot at a screw with a socket wrench and an extension.

what they said is true, but there will be times when you will want to have an expendable set of allen wrenches available to modify.

I have found that it is necessary to cut off a small piece of allen stock and then insert the stub into a wrench or small socket to gain access to some areas. I have had to do this on the fill plug on the manual transmission, and could/should have done this to access the top motor mount bolts and oil filter housing etc.

Rick

And--Buy the whole set whether it is 1/4 drive 3/8 drive or 1/2. If your luck is like mine when you buy an individual tool in one size, down the road sometime you will need the other sizes and wonder why you didn't buy the whole set right away.

Theres just something about modifying tools I don't like :) I now have 1/2, 3/8 and 1/4 inch drive hex sockets as well as a handfull of 1/4" swivel hex sockets for those pesky motor mount bolts an M104 intake bolts.

ditto
 

the above. mine are craftsman.

tom w

You might have a fit if you saw some of my tool boxes! I worked in aviation for 12+ years and have many modified and "homemade" tools. The reason for buying the made in China specials is to modify them. This is so you can save your quality tools. ;)

Oh those harbor freight specials (my stuff at home), I have no problem hacking them up, its my snap-on stuff (my stuff at work) I wouldn't want to attack with a hacksaw to make it work... :eek: