GearWrench Ratcheting Wrenches & Hand Tools
Shop GearWrench ratcheting wrenches, GearBox flex-head spline sets and 120XP ratchets built for tight-access work. Hand-picked and tested by Val.
FAQ
What is a ratcheting wrench and why use one?
A ratcheting wrench has a ratchet built into the box end, so the wrench stays on the fastener and you rock it back and forth instead of lifting and repositioning after every turn. In open space the time saved is modest. In a tight engine bay, where a standard wrench may only get a few degrees of swing before it hits something, it is the difference between a quick job and a long one. It is the main reason GearWrench became a standard in automotive shops.
What does 120XP mean on GearWrench tools?
120XP refers to the very fine ratcheting mechanism GearWrench uses, which needs only a few degrees of arc to engage the next tooth. A coarser ratchet needs a bigger swing before it catches, which is a problem when a bracket or hose limits how far the wrench can travel. The finer the mechanism, the less room you need to keep turning the fastener, which is why the design is aimed at tight-access work.
What is the advantage of a flex-head ratcheting wrench?
The head pivots, so you can approach a fastener from an angle and still keep the box end seated square on it. That matters when the bolt is behind something and a fixed-head wrench cannot line up. Combined with a ratcheting box end, a flex head reaches fasteners that would otherwise need a socket, an extension and a universal joint. The trade-off is a slightly bulkier head, so a fixed wrench is still better in the very tightest gaps.
Are spline-drive wrenches better than twelve-point?
For worn hardware, usually yes. A spline or surface-drive box end contacts the flats of the fastener rather than its corners, which is where heads round off. That means it can still turn a bolt that has already started to wear, and it is less likely to damage a good one. On fresh, undamaged hardware the practical difference is small, so the advantage shows up on older vehicles and on fasteners that have been apart before.
Which GearWrench set should I start with?
For vehicle work, a metric flex-head ratcheting set covers the most ground, since almost everything you touch on a modern car is metric and almost none of it is in open space. Add an SAE set if you work on older domestic vehicles or equipment. XL lengths are worth adding later for suspension and chassis bolts where you need leverage, but they are harder to fit in tight spots, so they are a second set rather than a first.
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