How to use our OPEN pin sockets/wrenchs

How to Use Our Open-Style Pin Wrenches

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Our open-style pin wrenches are designed for situations where you can’t slide a socket on from the top, like when there’s an eyelet in the way. You just slide it sideways onto the part and lock it down. These are super useful forΒ coil shocks and special cases like the Float X2 and Vivid where you want to avoid removing the eyelet to make the job simpler.

Critical Safety Warning

Before opening any damper body, MAKE SURE IT IS FULLY DEPRESSURIZED.
If it’s still pressurized, it can launch internal parts at high speed and cause serious injury, or worse. Always bleed the air and back off IFP pressure before disassembly.

What’s Different from the Closed Sockets?

  • You can slide it over the shaft sideways, no need to remove the eyelet
  • Most of these use 3 pins instead of 4. Slightly less grip, but still effective
  • Ideal for coil shocks and custom creative tools like our Float X2 2019–2020 open socket

How to Use:

  1. Clean everything with isopropyl alcohol first, both the shock and the tool contact area
  2. Slide the open wrench sideways over the part
  3. Push it all the way in so the pins/splines are fully seated
  4. Insert the small custom spacer in the slit where you entered the tool, this is critical. It fills the gap and takes all the torsional load so the tool doesn't collapse when using it.
  5. Place your 32mm wrench on the solid side of the socket (not over the open split!)
  6. Apply torque slowly and evenly, use a luggage scale with our calculator to calculate exact torques without a torque wrench.

Why the Spacer Matters

If you don’t use the spacer, the tool will collapse on itself when you apply torque, and it will break. The spacer fills the open gap and turns the tool into a solid piece that can handle real force.

When to Use These

  • Most coil shocks
  • Custom Float X2 applications: service without removing the eyelet
    • We actually created that, this special technique doesn't exist anywhere!
  • Any time a shaft or eyelet blocks the way to insert a normal fully closed socket

Helpful Pictures

⚠️ These are for home mechanics only. If you over-torque or skip the spacer, you may damage the tool or the shock. Use common sense and don’t force things. By using our tools, you agree to our terms and conditions.