E-Torx (External Torx) do you run into them?

[CobraRed]

Starting to see them more at our shop, maybe it's just the type of cars we're seeing now.

Are e-torx tools a must for you or hardly ever?

 

[signcrafter]

Starting to see them more at our shop, maybe it's just the type of cars we're seeing now.

Are e-torx tools a must for you or hardly ever?

Lots on newer gms. Worked on a 1.4L and it was all torx. I had one small set of them. After that I ordered a complete shallow and deep set. Also got 1/4" and 3/8" swivel etorx. Vim brand i think. Still need to order a set of etorx wrenches and then should be good to go.

 

[nmantas]

My SAAB 9-3 is full of them in the suspension and brakes.

 

[acer66]

My 98 Silverado has a few of them, the ones I came across were in the electric department at the engine.

 

[setfocus]

the smaller gm ecotec 4 cyl motors have mostly e-torx, german cars use them here and there, the fiat engineered FCA cars use them. Replaced a steering rack on a jeep renegade, every cradle and rack bolt was an e-torx

I don't use my e-sockets a ton but enough that I definitely need to have a set and use them more than triple square (internal 12 point)

 

[designer485]

My e-torx / torx socket sets were a must buy to work on my BMW X5. Went with Snap-On for both used from the bay.

 

[Dave455]

I see ‘em a bit. I don’t need to deal with them every week, but often enough that I wouldn’t want to be without the tools. You don’t need a huge number of sizes.

I seem to be finding them on BMW’s mostly, but a few seem to creep into most German cars somewhere.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Ran into them on Jeep Liberty wheel bearings. I still thank Jesus to this day that they came out fairly easy. I got lucky because had they not, I don't know what the next options were.

 

[engineer2]

Honda Electronic Parking Brake actuators have an E11 on the end of the motor you need to turn when doing a rear brake job. Odd size, but since you are tuning by hand an E12 will work too.

 

[sponfit]

My BMW 335i has them

 

[jeepnut24]

starter bolts

 

[bwringer]

I've encountered them most frequently in smaller sizes on the ends of studs in Toyotas, used to remove or install the studs.

I've also seen larger ones on 'murican car brands. GM seems to like them. I once ran into a special deliberately doofy size they used to hold seats in.

Anyway, yes, I consider these tools a "must-have". There are less expensive brands that work just fine.

 

[exmaxima1]

My e90 BMW had them, and required swivel sockets to replace the electric water pump.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Yep on GM and Freightliner a lot. Occasionally on another brand. I don’t have a expensive set just cheap Harbor Freight ones.


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[2ndGearRubber]

All over euro stuff, newer GM 4cyls, FCA chassis bolts, etc..

Must have IMO. They're not expensive you just want to make sure you get e10 and e12 in 1/4.

 

[Mick56]

Years ago I had a 1980 AMC Eagle 4wd, needed to buy a set to remove the front half shafts. Don't think I've used them since.

 

[allinon72]

Can’t work on a modern BMW without a set of etorx

 

[P0234]

Mercedes too. I like them but then again Mercedes doesn’t use fasteners made from salt water taffy like GM does.

 

[BTJHP]

I don't have anything smaller than an E8 in my set. Is there a need to go smaller than E8 for sockets?

 

[fsae0607]

I encountered them on my old '05 Colorado when I did the rear brakes. They were used to fasten the wheel cylinder to backing plate.

 

[plinker]

My set runs E4 to E24. E8, E12 & E18 seem to be the most used for the most part, but I've used all at one point or another. I also picked up a set of 1/4dr deeps as I use the smaller ones with an short extension often enough. The small sizes are common on engine studs.

I agree they're a must have set.

 

[Jack84]

My Opel is riddled with them.
I bought multiple sets, 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2.


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[Jland]

Harley has been using them for decades... they are on my '89 evo

 

[Corndoggeh]

Ive been shopping around for some as of recent. Anyone have some good recs? I was thinking of the 10pc Lisle set.

 

[wkndwarrior29]

I have a full set of etorx and a full set of spline in metric for working on my bmws, for wrenches I like the cornwell variants. For sockets I like bahco.

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[drtyler]

The Lisle external torx set is fine. I have used mine for years on a variety of German cars with no issues. Mine are USA made, but I'm not sure about the current offerings.


Home Depot has a Husky set (made in Taiwan) for $25 that are pretty good as well.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-1-4-3-8-1-2-in-E-Torx-Socket-Set-HETX13PC/206031060

Ive been shopping around for some as of recent. Anyone have some good recs? I was thinking of the 10pc Lisle set.

 

[icthruu74]

I’ve only ever seen them on GM. 2 or of the Head bolts on old 2.2l ecotech, and wheel cylinder bolts on a Buick. And those were a pain, all rusted and no clearance, ground them off and replaced with hex heads since I was changing the wheel cylinder anyway.

 

[gigamel]

Yep, you absolutely positively need E10 and E12 in 1/4"

 

[CobraRed]

Yep, you absolutely positively need E10 and E12 in 1/4"

Is there any downside to these in 3/8?

 

[gigamel]

On some GM Ecotec engines the throttle body uses four E10 bolts - there is no room for an E10 socket in 3/8" you do need the socket in 1/4"

 

[gigamel]

But since E10 and E12 are for M8 and M10 bolts, 3/8" sockets will be more suitable in high torque situations

 

[icthruu74]

After the wheel cylinder experience I almost bought a set of etorx wrenches since there was no way a socket would have fit in the space. But I haven’t encountered any etorx since.

 

[toddmorr]

Ive been shopping around for some as of recent. Anyone have some good recs? I was thinking of the 10pc Lisle set.

well fwiw, i tried a Lisle etorx on a toyota stud e8 and it stripped it. Exact same stud, different car, used a VIM etorx and no issues. YMMV

 

[ChefRex]

Harley has been using them for decades... they are on my '89 evo

Where?

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Years ago I had a 1980 AMC Eagle 4wd, needed to buy a set to remove the front half shafts. Don't think I've used them since.

Needed them to pull the trans too.

Metric E-torx heads, SAE coarse pitch threads. WHY?

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Is there any downside to these in 3/8?

Yeah, they don't fit anywhere.

E10 is a common head size of m6x1 bolts. Normally this would be a 10mm or 8mm 6 point hex. 3/8 sockets will not fit in the space required, nor will 3/8 torquing devices measure within the range required. Add in the bulk of things like 3/8 ratchets and other tooling, and it's aggravating.


At some point, when developing e-torx, they put someone who had never held a wrench in charge of picking the socket sizes.

 

[RedneckWelder]

Yes, usually internal engine fasteners for me. Thankfully E-torx and very very occasionally security Torx are the limits on specialty fasteners I have to deal with. Glad we don’t get the weird **** like Triple Square.

 

[bonneyman]

Once - on the steering columne of my 1986 Toyota pickup. I just happen to have an e-torx 4mm bit in my bit stash.

 

[fang123]

Starting to see them a lot more on some of the dumbest things. GM seems to think that they are great, especially on the 1.4 in my Cruze. As others have said E10 and E12 in 1/4" drive are must haves. I've made 1/4 drive 6pt sockets sockets work in place of an E10 that I had only in 3/8 drive that wouldn't fit.

 

[signcrafter]

Where are you guys finding the e10 and e12 in 1/4" drive?

I just checked my set and my shallow and deep e10 and e12 are both 3/8" drive.