Got some new triple square drivers

[muskaman67]

Ended up buying these triple squares based off of reviews I have read from a bunch of forums. All 3/8 drive. S2 steel. And only $25 bucks. But I hear the quality is way better then $25 bucks worth.

 

[Vinny]

Nice. I've only encountered one time I needed those, on the CV Joints of certain VWs. What applications do American cars have that require them?

 

[muskaman67]

prob none. but i work on vw's frequently on my off days.

 

[Vinny]

OH, my bad, I see they are metric. I saw 3/8 drive in your post and thought it was in regards to the socket sizes. Yeah, then that 8mm one will come in handy.

 

[Dubdaze]

I work on Audi/Vw and these are a Must.

VIM makes awesome tools for the price.

Look into the VIM 1/2 cut torx 1/4 set, and the 1/4 allen set.

i have all three sets and never had a problem.

http://www.tooltopia.com/vim-shm400.aspx

http://www.tooltopia.com/vim-hct1050-03.aspx

 

[vssjim]

They are a great tool line and there bits maybe made in Taiwan but they are absolutely the best.

 

[punkenduro]

25 bucks is a great deal, i got some blue points (had maybe one or two more sizes) for about 50 bucks.

 

[Griff93]

Mercedes likes to use lots of tripple squares as well. Saab also uses a couple.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

I remember seeing big set on the Cornwell/Mac truck for $99 in a case. Same off name brand, but different color. Red for MAC, blue for Cornwell.

 

[D.J.]

Well I guess I've learned something tonight, I used them, I think on the bed bolts on a Ford Ranger. I always thought they were Torx bits, Is it just a patent thing?

 

[Buckgnarly]

Well I guess I've learned something tonight, I used them, I think on the bed bolts on a Ford Ranger. I always thought they were Torx bits, Is it just a patent thing?

No, you did use torx, a T55 on the Ranger beds.

Triple squares are a whole differnet beast.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Porsches, too. You can't get by without them.

But the prices are better when you buy them from an early VW place.

 

[smogtech]

I work on Audi/Vw and these are a Must.

VIM makes awesome tools for the price.

Look into the VIM 1/2 cut torx 1/4 set, and the 1/4 allen set.

i have all three sets and never had a problem.

http://www.tooltopia.com/vim-shm400.aspx

http://www.tooltopia.com/vim-hct1050-03.aspx

defintely need to pick up a set of those in the future. I snapped one of my c-mans trying to take of a caliper bolt.

that half cut idea is genius.

 

[Danglerb]

Triple square are 12 pts. All the serious torque stuff on a Porsche is 12 pt.

S2 is the same kind of steel Mountain tools advertises.

 

[Buckgnarly]

defintely need to pick up a set of those in the future. I snapped one of my c-mans trying to take of a caliper bolt.

that half cut idea is genius.

Craftsman does not make triple squares?

 

[shampoop]

I have a sunex set and like them a lot so far. http://www.tooltopia.com/sunex-tools-9719.aspx

I like how your set though is all 3/8" and how the larger sizes appear to be shorter than mine. A little prettier too

 

[smogtech]

Craftsman does not make triple squares?

Whips thought i quoted the post for Half cut torch sockets

 

[MattPersman]

I have this same set but mine is in a red box and says MAC tools on it. have had it for many years. its been good to me

 

[Dubdaze]

The good thing about VIM is all there tools are real stubby.

And i haven't seen a torx that bites and fits as good as the half cut Vims

 

[Sick Puppy]

So far, we have VW, Mercedes, Audi and Porsche... I take it BMW's are no different and require these too?

WOOT! 500th post, and it involves something I love - Beemers!

 

[MAD]

Nice. I've only encountered one time I needed those, on the CV Joints of certain VWs. What applications do American cars have that require them?

The Ford Pinto with the 2.0 engine had triple-square fasteners for the head bolts and oil pump.

 

[smogtech]

Wonder why the half cut Ford are only availiable in 1/4 in drive

 

[Jack Olsen]

From Instructables.com:

Triple Square, also known as a XZN are commonly found on German vehicles such as BMW, Mercedes, and Volkswagen. These screws are used in high torque applications such as cylinder head bolts and drive train components. Increasingly, triple square screws are found on other European and Asian makes of cars.

Other names used for Triple Square screws and drivers are "Double Hex", "Double Allen", and "Aircraft Screws". Despite this, "Double Hex" and "Double Allen" are misnomers. The recess in these bolts is actually (as the name suggests) made of three squares, not two hexagons. The corners are 90°, not 120°. As they are not double hexes, an Allen key will not fit them properly.

Common sizes are 6, 8, 10, and 12 mm. Triple square drivers can be purchased at auto parts stores and through automotive tool distributors.

 

[Vinny]

So how much higher torque are these things compared to the 12.9 bolts I see them commonly replaced with?

 

[MAD]

Wonder why the half cut Ford are only availiable in 1/4 in drive

The half cut Torx are intended for tight spots where larger drive size tools would make them less effective.

 

[CamarosRus]

My Pace American enclosed car trailer uses some zinc plated pan head (??) triple sq fasteners. The zinc coating is getting unattractive.

Looking for Stainless steel small triple square, or torx panhead. Anybody know for sure what vendor to contact........NOT easy to find

 

[Buckgnarly]

My Pace American enclosed car trailer uses some zinc plated pan head (??) triple sq fasteners. The zinc coating is getting unattractive.

Looking for Stainless steel small triple square, or torx panhead. Anybody know for sure what vendor to contact........NOT easy to find

McMasterCarr had SS tamperproof torx for one of my projects.
http://www.mcmaster.com/

 

[shampoop]

So how much higher torque are these things compared to the 12.9 bolts I see them commonly replaced with?

I think it's not so much about the bolt itself, but the fact that the triple square design allows more torque to be applied to the same fastener without stripping it out like say a phillips head would.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

So far, we have VW, Mercedes, Audi and Porsche... I take it BMW's are no different and require these too?

I've never seen one on a BMW. They love their E-Torx though.

 

[sharkytm]

I have the same set, it has been used on a dozen or more CV joints, half a dozen cylinder heads, and who knows what else... Great set, they haven't even deformed at all.

 

[Monte]

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Stahlwille?

 

[cowboy73]

The oil dipstick tube on my old 90 Pontiac Sunbird was held on with a triple square bolt.

 

[Monte]

Stahlwille?

close Gedore

 

[Sick Puppy]

I've never seen one on a BMW. They love their E-Torx though.

Thanks for that, I was wondering whether to put them on my to-buy list... nothing worse than getting into a job and finding you need stuff you don't have!

 

[bart1]

Stahlwille?

I have a Stahlwille in my misc. XZN collection:

Along with Hazet, VIM, cheapo...

 

[Monte]

Stahlwille?

i only have this Stahlwille RIBE bit socket:

 

[Fantom]

The only BMW part which (I'm aware of) uses a triple square is the turbine/throwing star covers for the E34 M5.

 

[ndoran]

General Motors in Europe used XZN for cylinder head bolts on the OPEL range of engines in 80s and later years. I am assuming they still do this. If they are still planning to sell their Astra model in Canada then expect to find them on these cars.

They also used TORX external headed bolts on some suspension parts

 

[Moose-LandTran]

General Motors in Europe used XZN for cylinder head bolts on the OPEL range of engines in 80s and later years. I am assuming they still do this. If they are still planning to sell their Astra model in Canada then expect to find them on these cars.

They also used TORX external headed bolts on some suspension parts

I think they did on some, maybe the 3.0/3.2 V6s in Omegas.. Maybe they were T55.

I've pulled a few Ecotec and other Opel/Vauxhall heads and they all used E12 Torx headbolts.