I need to remove a flange mount tow ball this weekend but have no idea what size socket/spanner I’m going to need for the bolts holding it on, so as the title says, anyone got any idea what size I’ll need for an M16 bolt?

I want to check I’ve got the right size before it turns up.

And before anyone says, yes, I’ll be replacing them with new bolts when refitting.

http://www.cwfasteners.co.uk/spannerandkeysizes.htm

Excellent, thanks for that, saved it for future reference too.

It’s probably a nut and bolt so you’ll need a spanner and a socket. Maybe take an adjustable just in case it’s non standard.

I didn’t think the same sized head was always attached to a certain bolt size…?

I believe there’s an ISO (& also a DIN but I think they’re 99% the same?) standard for quality fastenings, of course with cheap/crap stuff all bets are off…

There is a standard head size for metric bolts (as per the chart in the link). There are plenty of exceptions out there though. Cars are especially bad for this.

It’s probably a nut and bolt so you’ll need a spanner and a socket.

Got a big adjustable for one end, just needed to be sure I’d got the socket for my torque wrench/ratchet on the other, cheers.

Don’t use a torque wrench to undo fastenings, you’ll wreck it.

I won’t, hence the torque wrench/ratchet 🙂