7 mm thin-wall tube spanner or hex socket

[rob love]

If the depth is what you are showing in your photo of the regulator, run a dremel cutting disc over each screw putting a slot on them and remove them with a screwdriver. Don't be afraid to go into the old regulator if need be.


Grinding down your cheapest 7mm socket to a tapered point would not be hard to do either. I would use an angle grinder myself with a sanding disc after fixing the socket on an extension and running it in the drill press.

[Bob Carriere]

I have a set of cheap ones ...hand held screw driver handle with a permanent socket at the end..........each driver is a different size.......and the walls are very thin/cheap but mine are Imperial ..... may be they have similar in Metric.

[Lionelgee]

Originally Posted by Bob Carriere

I have a set of cheap ones ...hand held screw driver handle with a permanent socket at the end..........each driver is a different size.......and the walls are very thin/cheap but mine are Imperial ..... may be they have similar in Metric.

Hello Bob,

I was trying to buy some of the hex nut drivers that you describe locally and did not manage to. The closest I came was a set which only went up to 6 mm.

I can buy sets online like this one in the photo. However I do not know how thick the walls are. I could be waiting for them to arrive in the post only to find that the walls are too thick.

Well, one eBay order for the set of nut drivers at $26 Aus including postage has just been placed. I have to take the gamble that they fit I suppose. A set would come in handy anyway even if it does not fit the alternator.

Kind regards
Lionel