Materials

Tightly coiled spring steel shaft that flexes without taking a permanent set, finished in black to keep corrosion off in a damp garage. Machined drive ends with a spring-loaded ball detent so sockets click on and stay on.

Care

Wipe it down after use to clear grease and grit out of the coils. A light spray of tool oil on the drive ends keeps the ball detent clicking cleanly. Store it flat or loosely coiled in the drawer.

Two lengths, so you stop compromising

The 250 mm bar gets into a cramped bay without fighting the fan shroud. The 350 mm reaches past the first obstruction to the bolt behind it. Both are in every set, so the reach you need is already in your hand instead of back in the drawer.

Same bolt, two ways to reach it

The fastener has not moved. Only the angle you can come at it from has.

Without

Ratchet will not line up

A straight extension needs a clear run to the bolt. When a hose or bracket is in the way, the socket sits crooked and you end up stripping parts off just to get square.

With the set

Curved around it, socket square

The coiled shaft bends past the obstruction and stays pointed at the fastener, so your hand works in the open while the socket does the job down in the gap.

Where a straight extension gives up

Anywhere you can see the bolt but cannot get square to it.

Crowded engine bays

Reach starter and alternator bolts without pulling the intake to get square to them.

Under the dash

Work bolts you can touch but never line a ratchet up with.

Exhaust and manifold

Come at seized fasteners from an angle instead of dropping the whole assembly.

Machinery and equipment

Guarded pulleys and boxed frames where a straight extension will not fit.

Why not just use a universal joint?

That is the usual answer, so here is the honest comparison.

Extension and U-joint

• Ratchet, extension, U-joint, socket
• Hinges at one point, so the socket wanders off the bolt
• Joint flops and binds until you get it started
• Needs a straight run to the fastener
• Stack extensions until it is roughly right

Flexible Socket Extender set

• Ratchet, bar, socket
• Curves along its length and stays pointed at the bolt
• Coil holds its shape while you turn
• Bends around hoses, brackets and looms
• Two lengths in the set, pick the one that fits
  
  

A coil that keeps turning

A universal joint hinges at one point, so the socket wanders off the bolt the moment you load it. This shaft curves along its whole length and stays pointed where you set it. The ball detent in the drive end holds the socket on while you are working blind.

Three moves, start to finish

No stripping the assembly down just to get square to one fastener.

First

Pick the length that reaches

250 mm for tight bays, 350 mm when the fastener sits deeper.

Then

Ratchet on one end, socket on the other

Male square drive takes your ratchet, female square socket takes the socket you were already going to use.

Finally

Bend it and turn from where you have room

Your hand stays out in the open while the socket does the work down in the gap.