crows foot wrenches

[duke000088]

What are crow's foot wrenches... and what are they good for?

I think I know... but I don't want to embarrass myself if I'm wrong :anon:

Do I want a set?

 

[swbooking]

This is a crows foot wrench:

Ive never used a set and we build and fab almost every weekend. So im gonna say thats probably one of the last sets youll need.

 

[duke000088]

This is a crows foot wrench:

Ive never used a set and we build and fab almost every weekend. So im gonna say thats probably one of the last sets youll need.

What are they used for?

 

[alex22]

They are great for serpentine belt tensioners in compact cars and bolts in tight places.

 

[swbooking]

Wrenching...

But really... I guess for getting into tight spots.

Crowfoot socket wrench: a type of socket designed to fit some of the same drive handles as the regular socket but non-cylindrical in shape. The ends are the same as those found on the open-end, box-end, or the flare-nut wrenches. These sockets use for use where space restrictions preclude the use of a regular socket. Their principal use is with torque wrenches.

 

[wolfpackjeeper]

offset and odd to reach bolts.

+1 great for a serpentine belt tensioner.

 

[duke000088]

They take a standard 3/8" square drive ratchet I assume?

Can you use them with a torque wrench to torque hard to access bolts?

 

[swbooking]

Yes, but apparently there is some math involved in figuring out the proper torque.

E- Effective length of extension - measured along the centerline of the torque wrench.
L Lever length of the wrench - center of grip to center of drive.
T(W) - Torque set on the wrench.
T(E)- Torque applied by the extension to the fastener.

T(W) = T(E)* L/L+E
T(E) = T(W)* (L+E)/L

See here for more detail:

http://www.finishing.com/118/94.shtml

 

[alex22]

They take a standard 3/8" square drive ratchet I assume?

Can you use them with a torque wrench to torque hard to access bolts?

Yep and Yep, but I prefer these for torquing important stuff, not snap-on ones, but you get the idea.

 

[WB9YZU]

Nice for distributors on V type engines, especially MOPARs which are in the back. Also any hard to reach place you can't get to with a long hand wrench, but have lots of space above it. IIRC, some intake bolts on a MOPAR LA engine were easier to reach with a crowsfoot.

Essentually, another option to add to the tool box.

 

[ehall]

one thing they are useful for is getting to the EGR valve, where the bolts are underneath the flying saucer, and you can get at them with either a socket or a wrench.

the crows foot adapters let you stick a socket extender down and twist the bolt enough to get it going

 

[planefixer]

I use them on aircraft quite a bit- automobiles rarely if ever.

 

[IceNineKills]

I once used one to throw at my buddy who just stole my mountain dew and i was stuck under the jeep with only tools lol

 

[igotanxj]

I've used them while doing alignments on tie rod ends where I can't fit a normal wrench, and also on SBF distributor hold downs. I have actually used mine more than I though I would ever have to. You really can't have too many tools, especially if they make you money.

 

[Grant]

Alternator cable drive motor attachment on Buick/Menard engined Indycars is the only application I have used those on.

similar access issues to an EGR valve.

 

[rhinoron713]

I've used them a lot for hydraulic hoses under pumps for cedarrapids ashpalt paving machines and caterpillar 623b scrapers for under the hitch area these are priceless when you need one but paperwieghts when you don't......sorry got carried away!! BTW just buy the cheepies for as often as you will need them ;I think I payed like $380 to $400 for an 8 piece set from 1" up to 2" from mac tools !!!