Our other sites:

What wheel wrench sizes are available?

What wheel wrench sizes are available?

Shop for Specialist Mechanics Tools

Drive size

Wheel wrench, specialist mechanic tools, mechanics, tools, maintenance, DIYer, wonkee donkee. All wheel wrenches have a square end known as the “drive”, which is designed to fit into the square recess found on the end of sockets. Most sockets have a hexagonal recess located at their opposite end, which is used to fit over a wheel nut, in order to turn it.

Some wheel wrenches come with a socket already fitted; others require you to provide one.

Wheel wrench, specialist mechanic tools, mechanics, tools, maintenance, DIYer, wonkee donkee.

Wrenches without sockets

The drive size of the wrench refers to the measurement across the flats of the wrench’s square end. This information should be listed in the product spec, if not you can measure the wrench with a rule or calliper.

When it comes to tightening and removing wheel nuts, the most common drive sizes are 10 mm (3/8 inch) and 12 mm (1/2 inch).

Wheel wrench, specialist mechanic tools, mechanics, tools, maintenance, DIYer, wonkee donkee. To select the right size socket for both the wheel wrench and the wheel nut, you need to ensure two things:

  1. That the square recess on the end of the socket is the same size as the wrench’s square drive.
  2. That the other end of the socket (usually hex shaped) can fit securely on to the wheel nut you want to insert or remove.
Wheel wrench, specialist mechanic tools, mechanics, tools, maintenance, DIYer, wonkee donkee.

Wrenches with sockets

Some wheel wrenches come with a socket already attached. If this is the case, you simply need to ensure the socket’s end will fit over the wheel nut you have. The size of the socket (which usually refers to the distance across the hexagonal flats) should be listed in the wheel wrench product spec.

Alternatively, if you have a selection of sockets, you can find the right one for your wheel nuts by simply placing the socket over the top of the wheel nut to see if it fits perfectly.

The most common size of wheel wrench with attached sockets are 27 mm (1 inch).

Wheel wrench, specialist mechanic tools, mechanics, tools, maintenance, DIYer, wonkee donkee.

How to find the wheel nut size?

You can also find out the size of your wheel nuts by using an online guide or vehicle owner’s manual.

Shaft length

Wheel wrench, specialist mechanic tools, mechanics, tools, maintenance, DIYer, wonkee donkee. Certain wheel wrenches come with extendible lengths. Extendible wheel wrenches have a non-extended length and an extended length. Extendible wheel wrenches gives the user more leverage when loosening tight wheel nuts.
Wheel wrench, specialist mechanic tools, mechanics, tools, maintenance, DIYer, wonkee donkee. An example of when you would need more leverage is when loosening nuts that are old, rusted or worn. These nuts can be difficult to remove, so an extended wheel wrench may be more suitable as it applies more force when turning so it is easier to remove the nuts.
Wheel wrench, specialist mechanic tools, mechanics, tools, maintenance, DIYer, wonkee donkee. An example of using less leverage would be removing wheel nuts that are not difficult to turn and will come off instantly.
Wheel wrench, specialist mechanic tools, mechanics, tools, maintenance, DIYer, wonkee donkee. Wonkee Donkee says, "Shown in the table to the left is the range of lengths for wheel wrenches when they are extended and not extended."

Wonkee Donkee Tools
Logo