Why Do Impact Sockets Have Holes In Them?
Impact sockets have been designed to withstand the vibrations an impact wrench or gun can cause.
They are generally made from chrome molybdenum for added strength and to prevent vibrations from chipping away at the socket.
But have you ever looked at an impact socket and wondered what the hole in the side was for?
Retaining Pin
That hole has a very specific purpose. It's called a retaining pin and it is integral in making sure an impact socket and impact gun/wrench work perfectly together.
The pin prevents the socket from coming off the end of the wrench or gun as a result of vibrations.
Working in tandem with a retaining ring (a cylindrical piece of metal which is placed around the outside of the socket), the pin is used to hold everything in place.
The last thing you want when working with impact tools is a risk of everything coming apart at a high torque level.
When purchasing impact sockets it is imperative that you choose a range or size that contains this feature.
Our entire range of impact sockets are fully equipped, are manufactured according to DIN and ANSI Standards and have been designed to suit all applications within the workshop and automotive industry.