Socket extensions are a staple of any good toolbox. Available in a wide selection of lengths, the proper extension lets you reach fasteners that would otherwise be inaccessible.

Conventional extensions are just that—straight pieces of metal with a socket attachment at one end and a ratchet attachment at the other. Some have fancy-schmancy knurled segments on the body. That makes the extension useful for finger tightening a fastener before you lean on it with ratchet, breaker bar, or speed handle.

But dig a little deeper and you’ll find specialized socket extensions that can do things an ordinary extension can’t. Let’s take a look, shall we?

Wobble Extensions

Think of the wobble extension as a “not quite” universal joint. In operation it actually wobbles or pivots when inserted inside the socket, allowing you to reach fasteners in awkward locations. The only downside is you can’t fit the socket and extension on a nut or bolt head you can’t easily see. Wobble extensions are available in multiple lengths in 1/4-inch 3/8-inch, and 1/2-inch drives.

Locking Extensions

Locking socket extensions have a mechanism (typically a sliding collar) that securely attaches the socket to the extension. That helps keep the extension from slipping off. These are also available in 1/4-inch, 3/8-inch, and 1/2-inch drive. Summit Racing has locking extensions for conventional ratchets or for impact wrenches.

Flexible Extensions

A flexible extension is basically a standard extension with a spring-loaded shaft that can bend to  reach fasteners at various angles or surrounded by other components. Flexible extensions are for low-torque use only—don’t use them with impact wrenches.

Regular vs. Impact Extensions

There is a difference between regular and impact extensions. Impact extensions are more ductile (softer) than the regular ones. That’s because they have to endure loads that are repeated multiple times–the slightly softer material absorbs the hit. Impact extensions almost always have a dull black finish.

Regular extensions are made from harder vanadium chrome steel. They are engineered to handle a single load at a time. You can use impact extensions and sockets on conventional tools but not the other way around. A regular extension and socket will break almost immediately if used with an impact wrench.

Extension Length

You can find extensions that range from 1.5 inches in length all the way up to 36 inches. Typically, 1/4-inch extensions top out at 18 inches of length, 3/8-inch drive extensions at 34 inches, and 1/2-inch drive extensions at 36 inches. That’s three feet! 

As you can see, there’s a lot more to socket extensions than first meets the eye. For a closer look at a few of the configurations, check out the accompanying photos and captions.

Standard socket extensions
You can get all sorts of different lengths when it comes to socket extensions. My collection of 1/4-inch, 3/8-inch and 1/2-inch extensions only skims the surface. You can actually get a 1/2-inch extension that measures three feet long (and I don’t have one!). (Image/Wayne Scraba)
Standard socket extension with knurled grips
These are standard socket extensions with machined knurls on the shaft. They are designed to give you some grip to spin a fastener with the extension and socket before you crank on it with a ratchet. (Image/Wayne Scraba)
Wobble extension
Here’s a good look at a wobble extension with a socket attached. The offset of the socket on the end of the extension allows a little “flex” in the tool to clear obstacles. (Image/Wayne Scraba)
Locking socket extensions
These GearWrench locking extensions use a slip collar to secure a socket on the extension. That keeps the socket from falling into never-never land. (Image/Summit Racing)
Impact socket extensions
Sockets and extensions for impact wrenches are different than the ones used with hand tools. Impact extensions are made from a softer steel that makes them less rigid. That means they won’t shatter under the repeated blows from the impact. (Image/Wayne Scraba)
Flexible socket extensions
A flexible extension is basically a standard extension with a spring-loaded shaft that can bend to reach fasteners at various angles or surrounded by other components. This GearWrench set includes 3/8-inch and 1/4-inch drive extensions. (Photo/Summit Racing)
Spring-loaded socket extension
This Titan Tools extension has a spring-loaded U-joint socket end. This allows the socket to move at an angle without flopping to one side or the other. That’s really handy for those times when you have just one hand to turn the ratchet. (Image/Summit Racing)

Keywords
socket extensions
Share this Article
Author: Wayne Scraba

Wayne Scraba is a diehard car guy and regular contributor to OnAllCylinders. He’s owned his own speed shop, built race cars, street rods, and custom motorcycles, and restored muscle cars. He’s authored five how-to books and written over 4,500 tech articles that have appeared in sixty different high performance automotive, motorcycle and aviation magazines worldwide.