Professional_Tool_And_Equipment_News_February_2020 - 48

GEARWRENCH

1/4" and 3/8"
Drive Bolt Biter Impact
Extraction Socket Sets
Having the ability to install and reuse a
damaged fastener is going to be a game
changer, the reviewer says.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:
The GEARWRENCH 1/4" and 3/8" Drive Bolt Biter Impact
Extraction Socket Sets have tapered internal flutes of incrementally sized sockets that fit snugly over stripped or corroded
fasteners, gripping even rounded shapes to turn and remove
the item. These sockets are easy to place onto the rounded
fastener, with no hammering needed. The fastener is not
destroyed during the removal process and can be reinstalled
by the same socket if the fastener is a non-standard part.
These sockets are designed to offer up to 10 times the usable
life of cutting-type extraction sockets, the company says, and
they can be used with both hand and power tools. The sockets
incorporate a square drive with a hex outer shape for easy
use with an impact gun, wrench, or pliers, and are available
individually, or in 8-pc, 15-pc, or 28-pc sets.
Circle 110 on card, or enter at "e-inquiry" on
VehicleServicePros.com

by Kayla Oschmann, Assistant Editor

THE REVIEW:

emoving rusted or
rounded fasteners without causing
them additional damage can be
a job in and of itself ... and being
able to reuse or tighten that fastener
is another matter altogether.
Lou Fort, lead technician at K.A.R.S
Inc. in Huntingburg, Indiana, says the
GEARWRENCH 1/4" and 3/8" Drive
Bolt Biter Impact Extraction Socket Sets
can be "more than a time saver; [they]
can be a job- and day-saver."
"I have used damaged fastener removal sockets with the twist style grip, both
in impact and not," Fort says. "But I
have never used a twist grip to install
and reuse a damaged fastener. Having
the ability to do so is going to be a
game changer."
Fort used the sockets mostly when
performing exhaust manifold replacements in the shop. He noted for one job
he was working on a 2009 Dodge Dakota,
which uses a special bolt to mount both
the manifold and heat shield.
"The [GEARWRENCH] sockets let
me reuse the special bolts," he says. "Not
having the sockets would have meant

PTEN

FEBRUARY 2020

waiting a day to get replacement hardware from the dealer or eliminating the
heat shield."
On another job, he used the sockets to
remove rusted fasteners on a Ford F-150.
He says the GEARWRENCH socket
grabbed them with no problem.
Fort also notes the sockets are just as
easy to use as other sockets of a similar
design. However, the half sizes, or as
GEARWRENCH calls them, "minussize" sockets are a feature he really
likes. According to the company, the
"minus-size" sockets are designed to
fit onto fasteners worn down past their
original size.
"Say you're working on a heavily rusted 13mm bolt," Fort says.
"GEARWRENCH straight up shows you
they have a 13- mm socket."

www.VehicleServicePros.com

All the sockets in the set can
be used with a ratchet or wrench. When
dealing with a deep well application,
the bolt biter sockets can also be used as
pass-through sockets, Fort adds.
No setup or manual is needed with
the socket set, he notes. They come on a
rail, packaged in a snug fitting cardboard
box. All information is found on the
packaging, including the specifications
and lifetime warranty. GEARWRENCH
claims the set can be used to reuse damaged fasteners in a pinch, a statement
that Fort believes is important enough
to be given more real estate on the box.
One thing that Fort is not fond of is
the gold-colored plastic rings around
each socket. He said a few were damaged;
he would suggest painting the rings on.
Overa l l, For t found t he
GEARWRENCH Bolt Biter Impact
Extraction Socket Set to be unique and
a great tool to have.

http://www.VehicleServicePros.com http://www.VehicleServicePros.com

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