Hi,

I have an allen key head bolt that holds the trailing arms in place, unfortunly the are HUGE and I dont have the right key to hand. I was thinking of buying the right socket size for it rather than a large key and was hoping someone could help me figure out the size.

I have mesured it from internal face to internal face and its 8.5mm approx - but what size is this in imperial?

I know its approx 0.334 inches - but the sizes dont work like that.

Hope someone can help, getting this Diff out if turning into a right cuffuful.

Cheers

looks like about 5/16" to me

5/16 = 7.9 mm
11/32 = 8.7 mm
3/8 = 9.5 mm

I now see you say approx - then it'll be 5/16 in; an 8 mm will be just as good.

[Edited on 30/4/08 by 02GF74]

Thanks very much!

I said approx as the calipers are only marked up in MM so I had to guess the rest, but it is definatly over 8mm. I'll buy both to be sure.

Before I go and undo them, can I check my logic - diff is undone, and loose, but can't come free due to the chassis and axle being too close together. By undoing the trailing arms on one side - at the point they meet the chassis (on the passenger side panel) I will be able to move the whole axle back and the diff will drop.

that sound about right?

[Edited on 30/4/08 by Dangle_kt]

IMHO

If it is a socket head cap screw surely an 8mm would be to big and need to be hit into the allen head - Now if the head of a nut was 7.9 mm A/f then yes an 8mm spanner would fit......

On Ford Calipers of old the retraction Hexagon used to be 7.5mm in a bid to get DIYers to buy their Special Tool at premium cost - I got an 8mm and ground it down - I believe I still have it - I think the "Neglected Tool Fairy" may have scattered her brown magic dust on it since I used it last though...

At least you have an option - get an old 3/8" (9.525mm) and grind some off... to make it fit! Always a good Locost option in my eyes.... only grind 3 of the faces - not all 6 tho'

Steve

quote:

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Originally posted by Hellfire
At least you have an option - get an old 3/8" (9.525mm) and grind some off... to make it fit! Always a good Locost option in my eyes.... only grind 3 of the faces - not all 6 tho'

Steve

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I'm guessing the 2 of the 3 sides you grind will impact on the remaining two - because they touch.

quote:

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Originally posted by MikeRJ

quote:

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Originally posted by Hellfire
At least you have an option - get an old 3/8" (9.525mm) and grind some off... to make it fit! Always a good Locost option in my eyes.... only grind 3 of the faces - not all 6 tho'

Steve

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I'f often ground down allen keys for various specials, they are cheap and easy enough to replace. You can even make a torx key if you are carefull enough.

Why only the three faces however? Surely you'd end up with the faces being two different sizes?

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