I was just about to buy these "soft wall" sockets to protect my alloys for my MG (17mm), using the justification that they would also fit the Octy.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200920611960?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

 

I had a quick scan through the Skoda manual which despite going into detail about the wheel change process, parts used etc does not actually mention the wrench size.

 

Are they 17mm or 19mm? (or something else?)

 

Thanks

 

Nigel

Edited 20 February, 201412 yr by sniperpenguin

They're 17 mm. Those sockets look quite good, Are they helpful at all?

I have a draper set. There just an impact socket with a nylon sleeve around the outside. Its just a bit gentler if you knock the wheel at all.

I use a Seeley Tools one. It really does help protect the alloys from damage and also gives good clearance between the torque wrench I use and the wheel face. So no damaged knuckles either when changing wheels.

Thanks guys. Might give them a try. I swap summer and winter tyres/wheels so anything which makes this easier and less likely to cause damage is a good thing!

I have a set of these, came with 17, 19 and 21s.

They are useful when you have quite deep bolt wells and to keep the wrench away from the alloy. I'm happy I bought them, they just live in the car now, in the polystyrene thing under the boot carpet.

 

I use heat shrink over sockets that I use with a torque wrench to prevent alloy damage - obviously these are a bit more robust for use with the windy. I'm going to have to stop looking at threads that will tempt me to part with my money!

I use heat shrink over sockets that I use with a torque wrench to prevent alloy damage - obviously these are a bit more robust for use with the windy. I'm going to have to stop looking at threads that will tempt me to part with my money!

 

I could always make it cheaper 

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3pc-Alloy-Wheel-Deep-Impact-Nut-Socket-Set-With-Nylon-Sleeves-1-2-Dr-17-19-21mm/310864560344?rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D286%26meid%3D4993231366744943556%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D1048%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D200920611960%26

Well done sniperpenguin. I like that price better for what seem the same items as the Bergen ones. Since you have whetted my appetite I went out and checked the wheel bolt sizes on our three cars in the family. And guess what! They just happen to be the same as the three sizes in the pack. So when my lovely new sockets turn up I shall keep one in each car and hopefully never have to go rooting in the socket set for one which fits a wheel bolt ever again. Many thanks for the steer.