10 point sockets

[wvrailroader]

Today while attempting to disassemble a seat track on a Ford Explorer, I ran across several bolts of different sizes for which I had no socket for. I at first thought it was a twelve point bolt, but after closer examination, it was a ten point bolt (double pentagon). A quick web search wasn't real helpful and I couldn't find anything like it on the Snap On website. Does anyone know where I could find sockets or even box end wrenches to fit these bastardized things? My SK spline sockets were no help either. Surely someone else on here has run into these damned things before.

 

[wildstyle]

Got a picture?

 

[DodgeMech]

External torx I bet...

 

[fatherof4]

http://www.vimtools.com/store/page17.html#238

 

[boomeradf]

External torx I bet...

Is that the same as a star socket?

 

[wvrailroader]

It wasn't external torx. I counted ten points on the bolt head. I should have took a picture when I had the seat out, but my patience was wearing real thin and I just wanted to get done before it got dark. There were three different sizes of them. The largest looked to be about a 14 or 15mm. The other two were smaller - maybe about a 12 and a 10mm. I guess maybe these are the next tamperproof fastener design.

 

[r_olson_06]

I seen some wright sockets that were 5 but not 10. Usally 5 point bolts are found in utility equipment so you can not get into them with a adjustable wrench. For our 5 point system snap on makes some sockets.

 

[Givl Reggin]

My SK spline sockets were no help either.

That's why we all have Vise-Grips and pipe wrenches in our tool boxes.

 

[RedF]

What year of Explorer?

 

[2oolhound]

I just sounds like manufacturing cutbacks. Everyone is cutting corners these days.

 

[shockwave]

It is probably a e-Torx I have not seen a 10 point on an exployerer before but I do have 1 for lower control arms on Honda's but I have yet to use it

 

[bwringer]

I've never figured out why Ford and GM so terrified that people are going to remove their seats. Why do they go to so much trouble to come up with an unending variety of goofy fasteners?

The seats in my Toyotas are held in with, you know, regular old bolts.

 

[erswill]

http://www.uktools.com/point-sockets-c-147_1808.html

above link shows 14mm & 16mm 10 point sockets made by Koken

 

[Rosso]

I've seen these before.

The op is right it's a bolt but with a 10 point head

I'm sure honda use the same on seats rails too

Only sockets I could find are from snap on. They make a 10,12 and 14 in the 10 point spec.

 

[Rico.]

I'm sure honda use the same on seats rails too

Honda also uses 10 point bolts on some of their rear lower control arms.

Also there are some Euro cars that have pentagon (5 sided) bolts on
some brake assemblies.

My only queston is... For goodness sakes.... WHY..?

 

[wvrailroader]

It is a 2010 Explorer. It uses regular bolts to hold the seat down, but these 10 point bolts hold the frame rails together.

I wondered "why?" myself. What possible reason, other than maybe being somewhat tamperproof, would someone even think this is a good idea. I can't imagine the initial cost of retooling to use fasteners like this, plus a 10 point socket is always going to cost more than a 6 or 12 point.

 

[Dusty61]

they are ten point drive fasteners, yes they LOOK like a 12 point spline, but they are ten point, Honda uses them on their dual mass flywheels, and ford uses them for securing seats to the floor (reason i know what is there was a Snap on flyer from january i think, that was selling 10 point sockets and seat tracks were listed on the applications) just another dumb special tool that we are going to have to buy.

 

[cburnscrx]

I'm sure honda use the same on seats rails too

I don't doubt you for one second, but what year/models? I've worked on a lot of older Honda's and never ran into them and I think I've pulled the seats out of all of them. Mostly just curious if I need to buy more tools (just need an excuse in my mind)

Thanks!

 

[F-Bobby]

Yeah i saw those 10 point sockets for sale from SO and it specified that it was for honda control arm bolts. I have NO idea why they needed to make a new bolt design for that aside from making us buy MORE specialty sockets.... Anyone else think of a reason why those exist?

 

[SleepyNinja]

http://store.snapon.com/Shallow-10-pt-mm-C754017.aspx

 

[JBradley500]

Honda also uses 10 point bolts on some of their rear lower control arms.

Also there are some Euro cars that have pentagon (5 sided) bolts on
some brake assemblies.

My only queston is... For goodness sakes.... WHY..?

Chrysler motor mounts in some FWD have a 5 sided nut. It's something you don't notice right away...

 

[Xauterus]

I stripped some OZ wheels down and they had 10 point nuts. I hammered a socket on each one to get them apart. Using new bolts for assembly.

 

[wvrailroader]

Also found these - 12mm and 16mm:

http://store.snapon.com/Shallow-10-pt--Socket-Metric-Shallow-Impact-12mm-10-pt--P754040.aspx

http://store.snapon.com/Shallow-10-pt-mm-Socket-Metric-Shallow-Impact-16mm-10-pt--P754046.aspx

I hate to buy specialty sockets for just one job, but I may not have a choice.

 

[Wakefield]

You learn something new every day!
Another unnecessary complication.

 

[holt2ton]

They are called "Penta" sockets/bolts...just google "penta socket" and hit shopping and you will get returns from Neiko, Williams, Wright, Urrea etc......

 

[littletoes]

I ask the Snappy guy....they seem to always be up on new fasteners.

 

[davesnothere]

Honda also uses 10 point bolts on some of their rear lower control arms.

Also there are some Euro cars that have pentagon (5 sided) bolts on
some brake assemblies.

My only queston is... For goodness sakes.... WHY..?

Its not a secret. Its so Joe blow carowner will take his car to the dealer for service.

 

[monkeyspanners]

I suppose it would ensure the correct torque was applied in the factory as only the seat bolt gun would fit them.

 

[2oolhound]

One advantage a 10 point fastener would have over a 6 point is in a tight spot where you had to use a wrench there is less angle needed to turn before you can re-bite. Trouble is the flats get smaller so on smaller fasteners an open end wrench has less area of support. If you can use a socket then there is no such advantage.

 

[Farmall450]

Apparently there weren't already enought specialty sockets & bits we have to by?

Did you just pull out some pliers?

One advantage a 10 point fastener would have over a 6 point is in a tight spot where you had to use a wrench there is less angle needed to turn before you can re-bite. Trouble is the flats get smaller so on smaller fasteners an open end wrench has less area of support. If you can use a socket then there is no such advantage.

That's what 12 point is for, no?

 

[Wakefield]

Apparently there weren't already enought specialty sockets & bits we have to by?

Did you just pull out some pliers?




That's what 12 point is for, no?

I vote YES

 

[Farmall450]

I vote YES

Watch they'll start having odd 7/9 point fasteners next..!

 

[tshetter]

I just sounds like manufacturing cutbacks. Everyone is cutting corners these days.

I see what you did there.

 

[Nanashi]

They are called twist sockets. You pound them on and take them out. Then you do the customer a favor and put normal 6 points in there.

Twist socket is not the correct answers but they would have worked.

 

[Dusty61]

They are called twist sockets. You pound them on and take them out. Then you do the customer a favor and put normal 6 points in there.

Twist socket is not the correct answers but they would have worked.

I'm with you on that one. I usually take those retarded odd ball fasteners and toss them out after extracting them with a twist socket and replace with normal 6 pt. hex bolts.

 

[nine4gmc]

Car companies keep coming up with odd fasteners to try and make the customer return to the dealership for repairs.

 

[dankicksass]

Car companies keep coming up with odd fasteners to try and make the customer return to the dealership for repairs.

That's why we all have big boxes at the dealer, to keep specialty sockets for trivial things.

Can I ask where these bolts were on the seat? I've replaced seat components in the newest Explorer, don't remember having to use anything out of the ordinary. I don't have anything 10pt.

 

[wvrailroader]

They held the seat track together. I needed to work on the seat release mechanism inside the track. I finally found a way to do it without removing the bolts (super long needle nose pliers and a pair of hemostats). It would have been MUCH easier if I had been able to take the ten point bolts out.

 

[Givl Reggin]

Then you do the customer a favor and put normal 6 points in there.

Yeah, unless they have some nonstandard thread!