Ratchet Spanners, Worth Having ?

[buster205 0]

Thinking of buying some ratchet spanners, wanted to know how useful they are and what are the common sizes needed for working on 205's ? Which makes are decent and which to avoid ?

 

Cheers

 

Ste

[Anthony 1,003]

I find them extremely useful.

 

10, 11, 13, 16mm are the sizes probably most useful on a 205 - 10 and 13mm in particular.

 

I'm a big fan of Halfords Pro tools - good quality, reasonably priced, and a decent guarantee.

[m_attt 31 1 Cars]

best tool ever, make sure you get the flex head ones. will wonder how you have manged without them. another vote for the halfords pro ones. keep an eye out for there tool sales as they go for £45 instead of £90

[GilesW 41]

best tool ever, make sure you get the flex head ones. will wonder how you have manged without them. another vote for the halfords pro ones. keep an eye out for there tool sales as they go for £45 instead of £90

This.

[TooMany2cvs 65]

I've got a set of Halfrauds Pro flex-head ratchet spanners. Where they're useful, they can be proper tool pr0n. Truly lovely things.

 

BUT there's more than enough times that they aren't useful, because the heads are chunkier than normal ring spanners, and that limits their fit far more than you'd expect. The flexibleness can be a bit of a pain, too - sometimes they work their way off the nut if you aren't paying attention. They're definitely not a replacement for either a small socket set or normal combo spanners. Don't get me wrong - I wouldn't be without 'em, but as time goes by I find them less easy to recommend wholeheartedly. They're a lovely thing to have, but a bit of a frippery.

 

(I've yet to get the "muscle memory" of which side has the little grooves down them, so usually end up trying them the wrong way first-off...)

[Tom Fenton 1,563]

I personally prefer the non-flex head ones. As said above the Halfords ones are good value. If you can't stretch to the full set then 10, 11, 13, 16, 18 are the ones I'd recommend buying.

[Daviewonder 533 3 Cars]

I'm gonna say they're not really worth having. I bought a few Snap-on ones a few years back and could count the times I've needed to use them on one hand.

[Miles 331 1 Cars]

Without a doubt, As said the set's have normal size's in, for the 205 11, 16 & 18mm are handy. The flexi ones I have never liked so I stick to the solid ones

[jackherer 543]

Downpipe to manifold bolts are the main reason I have them.

[MiniGibbo 142]

They're probably my best buy..!

[Rock Lobster 28]

I have a set of the Halfords fixed ones and they are brilliant IMO, I regularly use the 10, 11, 13 and 17mm and wouldnt be without them. Ialso recently bought some from Eurocarparts for around £17, they are stubby ones and havent used them so can't comment on quality.

[jeremy 71]

I used mine most for undoing the nut/bolt closest to the bulkhead holding the wishbone in. I also have the Halfords ones too.

Edited November 28, 2013 by jeremy

[tartanbloke 35 1 Cars]

As above, Halfords pro set and have used them sooooo many times on the 205 and other vehicles.

[welshpug 1,680]

I've worn out my halfords 10mm one!

[Chris H 10]

Halfords ones are great, i use them daily and use them far more often than fixed spanners.

 

I've yet to wear one out and i've certainly given them some abuse.

 

They have survived being drowned in water and mud when servicing on rallies too.

[omega 82]

I bought a cheap set from aldi as I don't use them very ofton as most times you don't have the space to use them but they work fine when I ve used them.

[brian j 32]

I personally prefer the non-flex head ones. As said above the Halfords ones are good value. If you can't stretch to the full set then 10, 11, 13, 16, 18 are the ones I'd recommend buying.

Another vote for these.

 

I'd call them a life-saver!

[rikky 37]

got 2 worn 10mm ones here, loads of others but never use 'em! I must buy another 10mm one as every time I need it I have to endure my slipping one(s)

[chipstick 382 1 Cars]

(I've yet to get the "muscle memory" of which side has the little grooves down them, so usually end up trying them the wrong way first-off...)

I can't be the only one that grips the black mechanism between my thumb and forefinger and swings it to see see if it moves or resists to see which way round it is?

[1 FAT PUG 39]

best thing you can buy, i love mine, got them after using my mates, i bought bluepoint ones when they was on offer

[S@m 156]

Another vote for the Halfords Pro set, they aren't essential but if you are regularly using fixed spanners then they will make your life a lot easier.

[Simes 248 2 Cars]

18mm very handy for wishbones and rear shocks.

Get a set, 8-19 very useful.

[kyepan 291]

A set of hexagonal sockets are also extremely useful for working on older cars like ours, they pretty much guarantee you'll never round anything.

That and a set of swan neck ring spanners & possibly stubby ratchet spanners.

Other thing i could not do without is a 6-7-8mm hex screwdriver for hose clips, bloody useful.

[TooMany2cvs 65]

A set of hexagonal sockets are also extremely useful for working on older cars like ours, they pretty much guarantee you'll never round anything.

<chuckle>

I've got a set of exhaust manifold studs your theory _needs_ to meet...

[harryskid 193]

Chap at our local garage had a set of spanners with Ratsh*t on them!

Edited November 30, 2013 by harryskid