Abstract: A socket drive tool includes an elongated shaft having a coupling structure for coupling to a socket. The coupling structure includes a detent ball disposed in a detent recess and moveable between retaining and releasing positions relative to the socket. The shaft has a cavity therein communicating with the detent recess. A tubular sleeve having a sleeve cam surface is disposed coaxially about the shaft for movement between a retaining condition and a releasing condition. A rod is moveable axially between retaining and releasing conditions, being spring-biased to the latter. The rod has within the cavity a first cam surface engageable with the detent ball and a second cam surface engageable with a transfer ball which is, in turn, engageable with the sleeve cam surface.