In your regular or hobbyist jobs where you have to tighten fasteners, you will find some that are in hard to access places. In the constricted spaces, you would find it a bit hard to use the regular torque wrenches. This is why you would need the best crows foot wrench. It will help you tighten fasteners in small spaces.
In some instances, you will find that the crows foot wrench being referred to as a spanner. It is not entirely wrong nor is it correct, but it is a tool used to hold fasteners to tighten them. A crows foot wrench has an open end. It is usually a head, with a set containing several of them in different sizes, and then it has a small opening that accommodates a drive.
Note that, every crowfoot wrench set is sold with a compatible drive. So, to help you find the ideal pick, here is our top 5 crows foot wrenches.
| Image | Model | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
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Grip 14 pc 1/2-Inch SAE | Check on Amazon | |
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Neiko 03324A 3/8" & 1/2" | Check on Amazon | |
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Sunex 97752 1/2-Inch Drive | Check on Amazon | |
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GEARWRENCH 81909 | Check on Amazon | |
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TEKTON 2575 3/8-Inch Drive | Check on Amazon |
8 Best Crows Foot Torque Wrench Reviews of 2024
Here are the top crows foot wrenches we found in the market. Below we are going to review them for you.
1. TEKTON 2575 3/8-Inch Drive – Editor’s Choice
This is a crowfoot wrench set with ten pieces that come in various sizes starting at 3/8 of an inch to 1 inch. When you want to reach a fastener in a hard to access space, this is the tool that you should have with you. It is going to extend your reach safely and so you will be able to tighten the fasteners in the tight spaces.
We were very happy to know that the TEKTON 2575 is compatible with a 3/8 inch drive ratchet, torque wrench or extension. The ten sizes incorporate almost everything that you may need for your day-to-day fastening jobs. Thus, if you have to transition from one size of tension part to another, this wrench set will be quite convenient for you.
The ten pieces of crowfoot torque wrench in this set are made with first class material. They not only resist corrosion very well, but they also last a long time. They are made of hardened forged steel. Thus, even dropping from heights to your garage floor or onto other metal tools is not going to flag them.
Pros
- Sold ready to use straight out of the box – fits perfectly on the 3/8-inch drive.
- Helps you tighten fasteners in awkward angles.
- Has a metal rail where you can latch all the rails for easier organization.
Cons
- It skips some sizes such as 16 mm or 18 mm crows foot wrench.
2. Neiko 03324A 3/8″ and 1/2-Inch Drive – Runner-Up
This 15-piece set has pretty much anything that you might need for the daily tasks in your workshop or garage. But the versatility does not stop with the crow foot wrenches that come in sizes of 8mm all the way to 24mm, skipping just 20mm and 23mm. They also come with two drives – 3/8-inch and ½-inch drives.
You will get great value for your money from these crow foot wrench torques. They are made of Chrome Molybdenum steel, drop forged, which is rust-resistant and will not break even when dropped onto a hard surface from a height.
In your career or hobby, there will be those times when the regular torque wrench will not just work, requiring a niftier option. With the versatility that you will get from this set and the 1/2-inch and 3/8-inch crow foot wrench drives, you will reach the tight and even the angled spaces to tighten your fasteners.
Pros
- Durable, high quality material.
- Enables you to tighten fasteners in hard to reach spaces.
- Comes with a high quality case for storage and transport.
- Many crow foot wrenches in different sizes.
Cons
- Lacks holes on the extensions to hold ball bearing in a ratchet extension so the drive falls off easily.
3. Sunex 97752 1/2-Inch Drive – Best Heavy Duty Crows Foot Wrench
With the term “jumbo” in the description, you know this is the best crow foot wrench for the heavy duty fastening jobs in spaces where the regular sockets cannot reach. This is a 2-inch wrench, but in the Sunnex family, there are many sizes of wrenches for versatility. For now, you are going to get this as a standalone 2-inch wrench, not in a set as we have seen with the others reviewed here.
It is made of drop forged fully polished alloy steel. The brand name and the size are indicated in large, etched letters and numbers on the body of the wrench. The polished finishing makes this easy to see even in low light settings. You may also use this wrench with a ½ -inch extension rod, ratchets or torque wrenches.
Because of the large size of the wrench, when you use this with a torque wrench, you will have to adjust the torque a bit, on the lower side of course.
Pros
- Good for large bolts in squeezed spaces.
- Durability is assured.
- The price is affordable.
Cons
- Measurements show it to be slightly larger than 2 inches, so it might slip with heavy tightening.
4. GEARWRENCH 81909 3/8″ Drive – Best Budget Pick
You can use the 3/8-inch drive is compatible with torque wrenches, extension bars and ratchet. You will find these tools quite ample for tightening fasteners that are in the hard-to-access spaces. With the chrome finishing, your wrenches are rust-resistant and they are also visible in low light.
For storage and portability, you will get a high quality blow molded case, where they fit in their pockets five in a row. Be careful to use them within the recommended torque setting because they can start spreading when you use them for a high torque value.
The markings are in metric units.
Pros
- Affordable price.
- Easy to use even for beginners.
- Nice storage case.
Cons
- The drive falls off ratchets since it does not have a divot to retain ball bearing.
5. Grip 1/2″ Drive Set SAE – Great Crowsfoot Wrench Set for the Money
Made of heat treated drop forged steel, these are pieces will last a long time. Again, the choice of this material makes them quite strong, yet slim in design. The chrome plated finishing also makes them easy to recognize even in poorly lit spaces.
Using inches for measurements, the numbers are indicated clearly on the body of the wrenches. Size starts at 1 1/16 inch, 1 1/8 inch, 1 3/16 inch, 1 ¼ inch, 1 5/16 inch, 1 3/8 inch, 1 7/16 inch, 1 ½ inch, 1 5/8 inch, 1 11/16 inch, 1 ¾ inch, 1 7/8 inch and the last one is a 2-inch.
You can use these wrenches on a wide range of torque range, like something that you would use on the wheel lugs of a large truck. Since they are all used on a ½-inch drive, this shows you the kind of heavy-duty fastening work that they can do.
Pros
- Works well even on the rusted pieces.
- A versatile set for different fastening jobs.
- Sold with a durable storage case.
Cons
- Some people have complained that the some of the smaller pieces broke after several times of use. This has not happened to us.
6. Sunex 9720 1/2-Inch Drive – Best SAE Crows Foot Wrench
The crowsfoot wrench set comes in two sizes, at slightly different prices of course. The first one that we have described above, whose sizes start at 1 inch to 1 7/16 inches and the SAE 1 5/8 to 2 ¼ inches. If you have to fasten really large bolts in squeezed spaces, it would be much better to get the two sets.
Similar to the other Sunex Wrench sets that we have reviewed here, even for this one, durability is assured. It is made of high quality, drop forged and heat treated Molybdenum Chrome. Let us just say that with vigorous use, these things can last a lifetime.
Pros
- Comes with a sturdy storage tray.
- Durability is assured.
- They offer high quality performance on medium to large fasteners.
Cons
- Can be a problem fitting in spaces where the nuts are thinner since they are quite thick.
7. RamPro 3/8” Drive – Best Cheap Crow Foot Wrench
These crows foot wrenches come with their clip on rail. It helps to keep things organized especially in a busy workshop. Always keep each wrench in its place on the rail. It fits snugly and they will not fall off at the slightest shake.
The high quality drop forged and heat-treated steel construction ensures that these wrenches last a long time. The chrome mirrored finishing ensures that they are visible even in low-lit conditions. They are built to withstand up to 150 ft-pounds of torque, but you have to match every size with its recommended torque, with the 24mm one taking the highest torque.
Their slim design does not affect their quality at all. They will still do what they are supposed to do and last a long time. The sizes of the wrenches are etched on the body.
The wrench drive is 3/8 inch. It can be used with ratchets, extension rods and torque wrenches. It will extend your reach to access the fasteners in the squeezed spaces. Some of the areas that you can use crow feet wrenches include radiator area, control arms, faucet hoses and others.
Pros
- Nice storage rail for organization.
- Good for small maintenance jobs on some motorcycle and car engine parts.
- High quality, durable construction.
Cons
- Again, no divot in the drive to retain ball bearings from the ratchet.
8. Sunex 9710M 3/8-Inch Drive – Best Crow Foot Flare Nut Wrench
They are made of drop forged steel alloy, giving you a durable construction that will probably outlive you. The size is etched clearly on the surface of the wrench, and the polished finishing makes it easy to spot even in low light.
The sizes are 10mm to 19mm. With this kind of versatility, you can use these wrenches on electrical’s, plumbing fittings as well as automotive and motorcycle parts. All the pieces will be used with the 3/8-inch drive. If you check around keenly, you will find that these are the most commonly used sizes. While most crowfoot torque wrench sets miss some numbers, Sunex decided to include every size from 10mm to 19mm. That alone makes this set the finest crows foot wrench.
The crowsfoot wrench set also comes with a high quality hitching rail. This keeps you very organized and prevents the loss of your pieces. The pieces are also compatible with 3/8 inch ratchets, torque wrenches and extension rods.
Pros
- Great performance all the time.
- Easy to use even for newbie users.
- Polished finish makes them easy to see on the floor.
Cons
- Easy to fall off since there is no divot to retain ratchet’s ball bearing.
Buying Guide for the Crows foot Wrench
With a crows foot torque wrench anywhere you look in the market, you will find it a bit daunting to choose the best one. However, keep reading to see the most important considerations to bear in mind before choosing one.
The Material Quality of Crows Foot Socket
Regardless of how often you need to use crows foot torque wrench, you need them to last as long as possible. That is why you must consider the quality of the material used in their construction. And build quality is the most important factor for any torque wrench be it a torque wrench for car wheels, or a gunsmith torque wrench.
Any crow foot wrench set that we will review here is made of high end material. It is going to last a long time. Because of the work conditions in the garage or workshop, you need tools that can take all the abuse and remain in good shape. Always choose a wrench that is made of chrome vanadium steel alloy/drop forged and heat treated for durability. This alloy is also corrosion-resistant and will not crack or flag in operation.
The Performance
When we say that you should find out about the operation or the performance of the wrenches, we mean you should check that all the sizes that you may need to use are included. If you are buying these wrenches to use them on your car, or different machines under your care, there will be different sizes to fasten. That is why you need varied sizes.
If the crow foot wrench set that you buy contains all the commonly used sizes, when you are working on a project with different parts, you can change the wrench heads without missing a beat. This saves time and money since you do not have to buy another crows foot torque wrench anytime that you need a different one.
The heads should fit nicely on the fasteners without slipping, or without feeling too small. They should be JUST RIGHT, no room for error. That way, when they are combined with the best ratchet wrench with ergonomic handle, you can tighten your fasteners faster.
The Price
We always say it is better to pay a higher price and get more features than pay a lower price and miss out on some features. Nonetheless, this does not mean that you should pay an arm and a leg for this top-notch crows foot wrench. These crowfoot wrenches do not cost all that much, so you will definitely get good value for money. If you want to more about the price-quality equation, then you should read our craftsman torque wrench review.
Storage
As hassle-free as these tools seem, you will want to store them just right. Thus, ensure that the set you buy is sold with a snap on high quality case or a hitching rail. That way, you will not misplace a piece easily.
Benefits of Crows foot Socket
Normally a crows foot wrench is used for many fastening jobs. Generally, it is used for applying torque to bolts in hidden spaces that would be otherwise impossible to reach with a regular torque wrench. However, that isn’t saying much, is it?
Areas around your car radiator can be hard to reach with a regular wrench, so you can use a crowfoot wrench. These wrenches are also used for fastening hydraulic pipes, faucet bolts and back-nuts below the sink. The applications resesmble the work of a hydraulic torque wrench.
These wrenches are also used a lot on tractors and other farm equipment. Lawn mowers, motorcycles and other machines that we regularly use at home are also beneficiaries of these wrenches.
Crows foot Torque Wrench Sizes & Types
First, about the size, some come in metric measurements (mm) while others come in SAE inches. Don’t worry, they all mean the same thing; it is only the units that are different. You can always order one in the measurement units that you are most comfortable with. Sizes start at 10mm (3/8 inch) to 23mm (7/8 inch) with some numbers skipped. Some sets come with 7 pieces, 10 pieces and some even come with up to 14 pieces of wrenches.
Regarding the types of crowfoot wrenches, they are all about the same, but you may find names such as metric flare nut crowfoot socket wrenches. It just means that you get the measurements in mm rather than inches. Design is the same as any other crows foot wrench (open end for gripping bolts, and a square socket for the driver).
How Does Crowfoot Wrench Works
A regular torque wrench fits over the bolt that you are fastening, but a crow foot wrench fits on the side, which makes it easy to use in constricted spaces. To use this wrench, you should attach an extension, usually referred to as “drive” to the square opening. You will then attach a torque wrench, an extension rod or a ratchet to the end on the drive.
If you are fastening a sensitive part that requires just the right amount of torque, adding the extension alters the torque value of the torque wrench, so you have to adjust it. This is not too hard either, just simple math, which usually leads you to reduce the torque value by a slight margin, since the drive gives you leverage.
After that, just fasten it, taking care because most of the crowfoot wrench drives lack a divot that can capture and retain the ball bearing from the ratchet.
FAQs About The Crows Foot wrenches
Q: Do I have to adjust my torque value when I use a torque wrench with crowfoot wrench?
A: When you use a high-quality crows foot wrench with a torque wrench, it means you have added an extension and therefore the torque value will be affected. In fact, what happens is that you have gained some leverage depending on the inches added on the extension. Thus, you should adjust the torque value on the downside, that is, reduce by a couple of ft-pounds or so, depending on your calculations.
Q: What is the benefit of using crows foot torque wrench over other wrench types?
A: The difference is in the convenience when you are tightening the fasteners in the hard-to-access spaces. Because of their nimble sizes, they will fit in small spaces where regular torque wrenches would not fit.
Q: Do I need crows foot wrenches if I have pipe wrench or regular torque wrench?
A: Most definitely, you do. Firstly, crowfoot wrench sets are so affordable, so no dent in your wallet. Secondly, these babies will do almost all the jobs that your pipe wrench cannot do. Thirdly, they help you reach fasteners in the hard to reach spaces without scrubbing your knuckles. So yes, you may have everything else, but you still need these for back up.
Final Verdict
Having tested every crowfoot wrench in this write-up, it is a bit hard for us to choose the first among equals. However, after price consideration, performance, convenience and material we can say that TEKTON 2575 is the best crows foot wrench. This is not to say that there is a bad wrench here. Any that you choose is going to give you good value for money. For hard-to-reach fasteners on your lawn mower, motorcycle, bicycle, car, tractor, sink, toilet and others, a crow foot wrench will help you reach them easily without hurting your knuckles.
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