Date:         Fri, 17 Jun 2011 17:54:56 -0400
Reply-To:     Ed Duntz <eduntz@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ed Duntz <eduntz@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      wrench/socket (nut and bolt head) sizes
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I've got a pretty good set of tools, including wrenches and sockets, to work on my vehicles (three Vanagons, a Mexican air-cooled Beetle, and a recently-given-to-me '88 Camry). I carry a set of tools with me that I transfer to each vehicle as I drive it. I'm putting together two extra basic sets so I don't have to move them from vehicle to vehicle. 

I don't want to get sizes that I won't need. Some socket sets, and many wrench sets, skip a few sizes in the range. Some leave out one size, some another. 

I should know this from working on my Vanagons over the years, but please help me out here: what size nut and bolt head (and consequently, wrench and socket size) can you say you definitely have and have not used on a Vanagon? How about deep sockets or u-joints- any particular place you can say you've definitely needed them? I know 10 mm, 13mm, 15mm, 17mm, and 19mm are ones I've used. 36 mm for the front axle and 46 mm for the rear. What else? What's the smallest that you've had to use? Anything bigger than 19mm except for the axles? (I know there's one for the steering wheel- I've got it but forget what size it is.)

CV joint bolts are 6 mm allen, or 8 mm triple square, depending on what's there.

If anyone can post definite sizes they've used, or can say are not needed, it would be appreciated. I've heard 16 mm on some a/c compressors. Is 18 mm ever used?

Thanks,
Ed in CT