My understanding is that you should use "impact rated" sockets because of the loads. Standard socket may well explode under the high loads which an impact driver can exert on the faces and walls of the socket. For this reason most impact sockets have 6 sided holes (hex) to ensure a good fit on the nut and for extra strength. It appears that most 55mm sockets are 3/4" drive, if not 1" drive. Also most are hex rather than the bihex (12-point) needed for a rear wheel nut on a Ducati single sided swinging arm.
I got the 1/2" drive impact hex socket for my alternator nut from Amazon. It fits the Clarke 1000w rattle gun fine.
The best price on a 55mm BiHex impact socket I've found so far is an ISS 3/4" drive socket (regular length) from Toolstoday.co.uk, at £34.56. They also sell a Sealey 1/2" female to 3/4" male adapter for £6.45. The cheapest delivery is £3.95. So a single large socket and adapter as about two thirds the price of a Clark CEW1000 1/2" drive, mains powered, impact driver (good for 450Nm) at £63.04 delivered on Amazon.co.uk. Throw in a cheap set of impact sockets (1/2" drive, set of 13, from 10mm to 24mm) at £15.15 also from Amazon, and I've got a nice Christmas present. Can't see the wife splashing out £186 on some strange tools, so it looks like they will have be from Father Christmas, at my expense
This exactly why I bought a 3/4in 55mm socket for £6 from a show and then got a 750mm 3/4in breaker bar. I've yet to fail to get the nut off my rear wheel. Complete set of sockets for 916 £12. The torque wrench to do the lot up again was a lot more!
I already have a standard 3/4" drive 55mm socket and a 3/4" breaker bar (1m in length) plus a 1/2" drive torque wrench than goes from 70 to 330Nm. I've not yet had a problem getting the rear wheel nut off but I do need someone to help. Maybe I don't need an impact driver, but I would like one
So I need one of these. Checked and my current 32mm socket is "SilverLine". LASER TOOLS 2018 SOCKET - AIR IMPACT 1/2"D 32MM | eBay
Just had another attack with the breaker bar and heat gun. snapped the wood holding the wheel from turning. Ordered the Clarke Impact Driver. I STILL don't get how it has got so picking tight!
Nuts off. Took about three, 2 second blasts and off she span. no damage to threads. She is a mighty bit of kit.
with your new power tool you have completed your transition from boy to man. welcome, you are now one of us.
This subject, for me, has had a major impact - driving me mad. Sent me into a right old spin. I've never been so stuck on a thread like I have here. I'm just glad it's all over, I was fearful of becoming completely undone by all the tension.
