Okay let me set the scene,
You just got a steering stabilizer/damper for Christmas from a friend, and you start by jacking the car up. Then you go to your toolbox and realize you don't have a 16mm wrench. No worries you were wanting to buy some stubbies anyway, so you go to Lowes. While at lows you see every set under the sun, but can't seem to find one that includes a 16mm wrench. Frustrated because it's snowing and you're still wearing shorts from going to the gym earlier you leave to go to Home Depot where you run you find less tools than you did at Lowes. You give up and go back to Lowes pick up 2 16mm individual wrenches and check out.

Question is, why don't I have a 16mm wrench? All of my sets go 14, 15, 17, 18, etc. WTF? BTW my sockets do the same thing, I try to only purchase 6 point sockets though not the more common 12.

 

I'm more disturbed that you are wearing shorts in Tennessee's 21F weather.

 

Don't worry, they were Tennessee Orange.

 

Home improvement stores don't sell real car tools, go to sears & buy Craftsman wrenches, their sets include 16-mm wrenches. I have been using them since 1958 and they work.

 

I have a set of Craftsman wrenches missing 16mm of course, and I'm sorry but sears would've had this.
Craftsman
and it doesn't include a 16mm. :-(
Edit: I could've ordered this though for $100
http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_101...7&blockType=L7

 

I believe a SAE 5/8 should do the trick. Please don't report me to the Metric police, I have enough problems without someone knocking on my door

 

I find the big box stores have crap for tools anymore. Sears is getting there but at least you can find indiviual wrenches. Unless you wanta toritz.

Hinds has it right. One can often interchange the wrenches.

I often find a metric will work better on a slippy standard size nut. Unless it fits, it slips.

Or is it "unless it slips it fits?"

Jus' do it!


roadster with a stick

 

I remember having that problem, I bought one on Ebay. I think it was a sixteen but can't really remember. I have other sets where someone arbitrarily skipped over a size or two. It would be better if they sold a consecutive set with less wrenches, at least then you could buy a couple of sets and get them all.

 

16 mm is Not a standard metric size wrench in a typical set. Remember it is a Mercedes under the skin and if you can afford a mercedes then most people who own one don't do your own work mechanical work or oil changes. .5 inches is 13 mm and 5/8 is 16 mm. These have worked for me in the past in a pinch..

 

Perhaps Sears may be able to help you with a Craftsman socket. BTW, 65 here in Denver today.

 

gee i have 3 16mm wrenches in my toolbox. seems i said "bring it in the garage its a 5 min. swap" reply.... i gotta go i have summer sausage to devour!!

 

LOL I did have to go, I had an appointment in Hermitage at 2:30. Made it there at 2:45, after a quick sprint down 840 in the wet. No worries though, I'm was able to use the tools without taking the packaging off so I'll just return them.

 

I have one each of these. Fits 80% of the nuts and bolts on my XF. Will also do some square heads. Actually very handy.....


Gator Grip ETC-200MO Universal Socket: fits standard 1/4-inch to 3/4-inch and metric 7mm to 19mm nuts and bolt heads; 3/8 drive

Amazon.com: Gator Grip ETC-200MO Universal Socket: Home Improvement



Gator Grip ETC-125MO King Gator Socket: Fits hex heads measuring 7/16-inch (12mm) to 1.25-inches (32mm); 1/2-inch drive

Amazon.com: Gator Grip ETC-125MO King Gator Socket: Home Improvement

 

[quote=syfi]I have one each of these. Fits 80% of the nuts and bolts on my XF. Will also do some square heads. Actually very handy...

Those things are pretty cool assuming you can hit the torgue specs. and have enough room to wield it. I wouldn't want to use it on anything critical.

 

Really?

 

I remember going on that 16mm scavenger hunt a little over a year ago. I can't remember if I wound up buying it at Advanced Auto, or Auto Zone. Wound up having to buy an entire set just to get the one 1 socket I wanted.
Went to Sears, and they didn't have it, unless I purchased a very expensive set.

 

So not only were you in shorts in the coldest December Tennessee has experienced since 1948, but you were doing the repairs with the tools still in their packaging?

Nick, Nick, Nick.

 

I had a hoodie on... and yes lol. I performed the repairs with the packaging still on the tools.

 

As long as his tool stayed in his shorts his package probably stayed warm and stabilized . Just saying.