Tite-Reach Extension Wrench - Tool of the Month
Think back to the last big project you did in the garage. Was it an engine swap, new suspension, or possibly a few performance upgrades? No matter the degree of difficulty of an install, today's engine compartments are jam-packed with electronics covered in large, bulky plastics and can be an absolute nightmare to work on. You diesel faithfuls know exactly what I'm talking about, with several seemingly basic jobs taking long hours to complete. Undoubtedly, you're progress is going to have an abrupt halt when you come across a nut or bolt that is impossible to get to. Go ahead, grab a U-joint, an extension, a mirror, and say a little prayer. Instead of spiking your blood pressure, you could have simply reached for a cool new tool called the Tite-Reach Extension Wrench.
Designed to work with regular ¼-inch and ⅜-inch-drive ratchets and impact guns (excluding the DIY models), the Tite-Reach Extension Wrench is a strong, versatile, and convenient solution for hard-to-reach bolts ($79.00 for a combo pack). With a 1-to-1 gear ratio, the Tite-Reach Extension Wrench turns a nut or bolt as quickly as you can spin your ratchet or pull the trigger on your impact gun. A big bonus to getting to those pesky nuts and bolts, the Tite-Reach requires zero degree of arc to spin the socket. What this means to you is faster, easier, and less frustrating removal and installation of hardware because there's no ratchet to try and fit into tight spots. Made of die-cast aluminum, the case is rugged and houses chrome vanadium hardened gears and inserts with low-friction bushings. This translates to smooth operation and a good feel for torque settings.
During our testing, we used the Tite-Reach Extension Wrench on engine upgrades, brake jobs, and suspension mods. Each time, we felt confident in its engineering and construction, and even at 125 lb-ft of torque, our sockets never slipped or failed to remove a bolt. Measuring nearly a foot in length, the Extension Wrench is like having a helping hand reach into those tight engine confines. Our only concerns are the included 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch socket adapters. On more than one occasion, the socket adapter was pulled out of the Extension Wrench with the removal of a socket. If this piece were to be lost or fell and rolled under a large shop table, we'd be in big trouble. The adapter was made with a detent ball, but we wish the inside of the Extension Wrench had a notch similar to most sockets for the detent ball to lock into. Overall, we were very impressed with the Tite-Reach and we have no reservations recommending it for anyone looking to lower their stress level in the garage.
