Mastercool 98234 Socket

Great tool works great for removing a/c Shredder valve.

This review may be rather lengthy, but covers several issues others may encounter. I needed to replace the high-pressure port on my GF’s 1996 corvette show car. The corvettes high pressure port has that one-time use GM black rubber ball check valve style. Stupid design! Since the corvettes AC system was completely empty and verified by my manifold gauge set, I pulled a vacuum on it prior to recharging. It held the vacuum at 29.92” Hg for an hour. I charged the system with exactly 2 lb.’s of R134a that it required only to discover the high-pressure port was hissing and never stopped even after quickly blipping the black rubber check ball in the valve a couple of times. There went $40 of refrigerant. I purchased this socket and the high-pressure port set. One of the high-pressure ports (Dorman 800-955) has the Schrader valve stem but the other one was the genuine GM black rubber ball type…. ugh. Using a 16mm wrench as a back-up wrench so as not to twist the aluminum high-pressure pipe and kinking it, this socket removed the port very easily. If I ever encounter issues with the AC on my 2008 Envoy Denali which also has the GM black rubber ball style high-pressure port, I’ll be able to tackle the job. And just so that you don’t waste money on refrigerant, replace the GM rubber ball port with a real Schrader valve port prior to recharging the AC. Unfortunately, a manifold gauge set doesn’t let you know the valves could be leaking because the gauge set is sealing both ports during the leak test. I suppose I could have removed ONLY the high-pressure port manifold coupler of my gauge set, and the low-pressure gauge would have shown a loss in vacuum.

Just another tool for the tool box. I work on my ac units myself and this will be handy when its needed.

I don't like the fact that I had to buy a whole new socket just to replace one fitting, but that's par for the course in the automotive world. At least I found one so inexpensive and hopefully I'll only need the once, but it's there in my toolbox should the need ever rise again.

Got the job done ... old valve out, new valve in within minutes. The valve metal is a little on the soft side, so it will tend to deform a bit in the socket, so you may have to use some channel locks or similar to dislodge the valve from the socket after you've removed/tightened it down. I used a combination of channel locks with gaffers tape wrapped around the teeth (to protect the socket) and a pair of pliers or adjustable wrench on the valve piece. If you do that, the socket should last indefinitely. For anyone wondering why these AC fittings/sockets are 8-sided instead of the typical 6-sided design, you only need to read some of these DIY-er reviews to know the reason. The designers of this stuff wanted to discourage inexperienced people from using commonly available tools to monkey around with these potentially dangerous components in their cars.

Excelente

Exactly what was needed to snug up new high side 134a fitting....

Made installation effortless. A pretty simple socket that is worth the price. I did attempt to remove the original service valve (ACDelco 15-5438 GM Original Equipment Air Conditioning Service Valve) with a standard pair of adjustable wrenches, but it didn't feel like it was giving way since it was factory original on a 16 year old SUV and I didn't want to press my luck and risk damaging the line. I purchased this socket, placed it on the wrench and it came right off. I then installed the new service valve which was leaking AC coolant and replaced the valve core ( ACDelco 15-1119 GM Original Equipment Air Conditioning System Valve Core) and it was good as new! No leaks! A reminder to make sure the system had the AC refrigerant/Freon RECLAIMED prior to doing any work on the service valve so it's not released on your hands or into the air. Jiffy lube will reclaim the freon responsibly for around $80.

If you want to change the high side A/C fitting on a lot of GM vehicles, this Mastercool socket is exactly what you're looking for. It fits the valve perfectly and with some care (the lines are easily twisted, so support the line while attempting to remove the old fitting) will let you easily change your old fitting out for a new one. Used mine a few times now to replace the dreaded ball style high side fitting found on many GM vehicles with a serviceable Schrader valve instead (GPD 5811696 is an example for anyone looking for one) with no issues. Well worth picking one of these up, especially if you do a lot of A/C work or simply want to replace a bad fitting on your own vehicle.

Specialty socket, fit for purpose, does what it is supposed to, appears to be of good quality and for these days I think the price is ok. Highly recomended.

En excelentes condiciones y nuevo

Used it to change the high side port on my 2004 GMC Sierra Denali. Fit perfect, no issues

Great additional tool.