3-eared K-o Socket Problem

[type26owner]

Just a word of warning if you've got one of the knock-off sockets from Baum Tools Limited. Mine sheared off one of the locking tabs. :angry: When this happened I was applying full torque and was not expecting it to just slip off suddenly. I was not injured nor was my car but that shot of adrenline as a result of having a close call I didn't need. It's useless now with a broken tab as is. Perhaps I can repair it. IIRC it's been hardened by heat treating so the repair must be able to be rehardened.

Will contact them and inform them of the problem.
Keith

[type26owner]

Ended up repairing the socket because the engineer from Baum Tools never returned my phone call. The socket is not all that hard afterall. Recut with a milling machine and a high speed end mill the six recesses which grip the backside of the ears so it won't slip off in use. This time they are 7/32" radiuses which are 3/16" deeper on either end of the existing pockets. Appears to be have much more of a positve grip then originally.

Needed the socket functional again now cause I'm having new tires mounted, shaved and balanced today. Going to try the Sumitomo HTR T4 in a 165/70R13 to see if they have as much grip as the NLA Michelin's did. I've got 4.5J steel wheels on a stock S2. Section width clearance to the rear glass should be okay but nearly zero.
-Keith