Socket to remove VP folding prop hub nut

[West Coast]

Hi all, - have a VP 120S saildrive, with VP folding prop. There is a largish custom bronze nut that holds the hub in place on the splined shaft. The size of socket which fits this nut is a bit of a mystery to me, a 23mm is too small, a 24mm will drive it but is loose, so not ideal.

Over the years I have used the 24mm socket, but this has over time rounded the corners on the nut so this year, I cannot remove it. My fault for being lazy :-(

So, I need a socket somewhere in between 23mm and 24mm. Hard to accurately measure the size while the nut is fitted as it is in a recess. But in any event, I cannot find any socket, metric or imperial, which may be around 23.5mm, or 0.925" (59/64") - does one even exist?

So - any ideas where I might source such a socket size?
Or other ideas in lieu of the elusive sized socket?

Cheers!

 

[colhel]

Have you tried a decent 24mm? IIRC the nut is 24mm. (It's been a 3-4 years since we had a 120sd)

 

[NormanS]

Try to get a 24mm hex socket rather than the usual bi-hex.

 

[West Coast]

Try to get a 24mm hex socket rather than the usual bi-hex.

Hi - sorry, am a bit ignorant of the specifics of different sockets - please can you elaborate?

 

[NormanS]

Hi - sorry, am a bit ignorant of the specifics of different sockets - please can you elaborate?

A hex socket has only six internal sides so gets a better grip on the nut. Hex sockets are commonly used with impact torque guns. Your normal socket is bi-hex ie has 12 sides, only half of which contact the nut at any one time. It means that a bi-hex socket only pushes on the corners of the nut, and your corners are worn. QED.

 

[VicS]

Hi all, - have a VP 120S saildrive, with VP folding prop. There is a largish custom bronze nut that holds the hub in place on the splined shaft. The size of socket which fits this nut is a bit of a mystery to me, a 23mm is too small, a 24mm will drive it but is loose, so not ideal.

Over the years I have used the 24mm socket, but this has over time rounded the corners on the nut so this year, I cannot remove it. My fault for being lazy :-(

So, I need a socket somewhere in between 23mm and 24mm. Hard to accurately measure the size while the nut is fitted as it is in a recess. But in any event, I cannot find any socket, metric or imperial, which may be around 23.5mm, or 0.925" (59/64") - does one even exist?

So - any ideas where I might source such a socket size?
Or other ideas in lieu of the elusive sized socket?

Cheers!

Very surprised that it is not a standard metric size. AFAICS there is no special tool to fit.

Two sizes that fall between 23 and 24 mm are:

23.37mm 0.920" 1/2" W; 9/16" BSF
23.81mm 0.938" 15/16" AF

 

[West Coast]

A hex socket has only six internal sides so gets a better grip on the nut. Hex sockets are commonly used with impact torque guns. Your normal socket is bi-hex ie has 12 sides, only half of which contact the nut at any one time. It means that a bi-hex socket only pushes on the corners of the nut, and your corners are worn. QED.

Ah - thanks! Yes, been using a bi-hex socket. Will get a 24mm hex and try it.

 

[West Coast]

Very surprised that it is not a standard metric size. AFAICS there is no special tool to fit.

Two sizes that fall between 23 and 24 mm are:

23.37mm 0.920" 1/2" W; 9/16" BSF
23.81mm 0.938" 15/16" AF

Agreed - seems no reason why it is some really odd size. However, NormanS advice seems good

 

[cpedw]

My copy of the user book says it's 24mm.

Derek

 

[West Coast]

Cheers - that would confirm the points above

 

[alahol2]

A hex socket still works on the corners of the nut albeit a larger area of the corner. Flank drive sockets are designed to work on the flats of the nut. Not sure how easy it would be to find one at 24mm though.