Impact Torx Bits

[Sk8Crash69]

Hey Guys,

Just got a call today about doing a job on a Dodge Dakota that is going to need a T55 Torx Bit. Currently I have a MAC 3/8 drive T55 Non-Impact but the suspension parts I am looking at look like they are gonna need at least a 1/2 Drive with my Impact. I searched MACs website and could not find any impact torx of that size, Snap On was and easy find but at $45 for possibly a one time use, I can't justify that. Are there any other manufacturers that make a good quality Impact Torx bit? I definitely prefer it to be made in USA. Thanks.

 

[rigsboo]

what id do is just buy a 1/2 to 3/8 adapter mac has a lifetime warranty so shouldn't that be ok??

 

[Sk8Crash69]

I do have a 1/2 to 3/8 adapter that would work, I just don't know if the shiny chrome MAC socket is up to the abuse of the impact.

 

[dnschmidt]

I've got the Harbor Freight Pittsburgh Pro impact 1/2" drive set and it works fine. Item number 67896, $29.99 for the entire set T30, T40, T45, T47, T50, T55, T60 and T70 and don't forget your coupon. I used them with my Nitrocat 1250K and they took the beating just fine.

If any of these are going to break it would be the T30 - T45 by the time you get to the T55 you've got a substantial amount of steel there. Not saying it's impossible, I just haven't found breakage to be a problem.

 

[kf4zht]

It's torx. Chances are it will break anyway

I would give it a shot with your biggest breaker bar and an adapter. When it breaks grab a welder and stick a nut to it

Source - Owned way too many jeeps.

 

[Murphy4570]

Heat the area around the bolt threads with a oxy acetylene torch, and then hit it with the impact, if possible. It'll zip right out.

 

[panknuckshovel]

I needed a T60 for one time use. I ended up just getting the longer bit for right around $10 from the Snap-On guy and just dropping it in the impact socket. I would include pics, but due to recent SOP in my life i cannot find the damn bit.

 

[Wakefield]

Would a hand impact driver work? I guess it already has PB blaster or kroil workin'
Will heat weaken suspension parts? Scrape out the bottom of the Torx hole for dirt? Absolutely sure it ain't Torx Plus?!

 

[bwringer]

The Pittsburgh Pro set at Harbor Freight is made in Taiwan and is really, really extremely nice.

I use hex a lot more, but they fit tightly and I've never managed to break a bit from either set despite some really heavy-duty abuse with stout air impact guns.

That said, the damn bolts always strip out or break. Be ready for this... I've never figured out who the hell thought it would be a good idea to put badly undersized Torx heads on large suspension bolts. I mean, WTF...?

On a T55, the point-to-point distance is 11.55mm. A 10mm bolt would normally have a 17mm hex head (on US and Euro vehicles, anyway -- 14mm on JIS). You're giving up a lot of leverage there.

 

[BK13]

Source - Owned way too many jeeps.

Preach it brother!

 

[jeepinerdeep]

Are your Mac's the chrome ones? The OTC ones are the same as the older style MAC ( plain not chrome, they sold them in the early 2000's ) They aren't superior or impact rated but I've only broken 1, and this includes impact use. Just an idea.

I say buy the OTC and beat on it with an adapter. It's 8 bucks and change.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SR28S/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[kctyphoon]

 

[Sk8Crash69]

I have the chrome Mac ones, I was checking out the OTC but they seem to only have the 3/8 drive also. I do like the idea of just getting the size 1/2 impact socket that will accept the T55 bit. I don't currently have Oxy Acetylene set up, just a MAPP torch but I am sure I will using it and I have the PB soaking into it now.

 

[Sk8Crash69]

Thanks for the coupon kctyphoon

 

[panknuckshovel]

I have the chrome Mac ones, I was checking out the OTC but they seem to only have the 3/8 drive also. I do like the idea of just getting the size 1/2 impact socket that will accept the T55 bit. I don't currently have Oxy Acetylene set up, just a MAPP torch but I am sure I will using it and I have the PB soaking into it now.

If i am remembering correctly it was a 3/8 socket, but it was alot of barley and hops ago so a fog is present.

 

[AndrewV]

I got the Sunex set at work.
Works great.

 

[kctyphoon]

Thanks for the coupon kctyphoon

No problem

 

[nicksnothereman]

Hand break man...hand break. Heat + p. oil if it won't break easy.

I'm in the camp of "if they're using that much torque on a fastener there's no need to use a security screw"...might be the wrong assumption though.

 

[ttpete]

A lot of the suspension and caliper bolts are treated with thread locker, and need heat to break the bond. About 400F will do it.

 

[jfcasey]

Toyota uses t55 on bed bolts. I use a 1/2 chrome snap on because I have not found a impact that's 1/2 drive. I break one about every 6 weeks, but it's better than stripping the bolts with soft impact sockets

 

[franzdom]

Grey Pneumatic makes a good one.
Sunex is $7.29 Amazon Prime shipped.

 

[Sk8Crash69]

Hey Guys, I figured I would give and update. About 5 minutes into the project I snapped the MAC 3/8 T55, I wasn't really shocked by this. Since it was late and didn't want to stop working I ran to Home Depot and picked up a Husky 3/8 T55 (that is the only drive size they had) and I was really impressed, it held up a lot better than my MAC socket. To be honest though I don't think any size T55 would have made this project go better, due to the heavy heavy corrosion on the bolts and the bushing sleeves the only tool that really made this project continue on was my oxy-acetalyne torch and my 3lb sledge. I will be sending the MAC socket back to get a new one but I will be keeping the husky, you never know when you may need it. Thank you though for everyone's help, both sides are done and now on to the next project.

 

[Tarheelgarage]

Heat it before you beat it

 

[Dust Devil]

Heat it before you beat it

 

[panknuckshovel]

If i am remembering correctly it was a 3/8 socket, but it was alot of barley and hops ago so a fog is present.

I found it, and I was completely wrong on both counts. The bit was a T55 and the socket was 7/16, the fog is still there though.

 

[shockwave]

Have you tried popping the bit out of the sockets and using with impact sockets

 

[durallymax]

I have a Napa set. They are rebranded. Work great.

Make sure the bolts and torx and not torx plus.

A little heat always helps.

 

[rtole]

I have grey pneumatic and gearwrench torx bit sets. So I have 2 each of the common sizes. Except t55. I also have a snap on in that size. All are 3/8 drive. The snap on one has taken my 24 inch breaker bar that I put a 1/2 to 3/8 adapter on. The snap on torx are that good.

 

[durallymax]

I have snap on torx sockets as well for my non impact set. Very stout. That T55 lived on my big impact changing stalk roll knives on the combine. Still looks new.

 

[knobby]

If i had to start a set i would look hard at these
http://www.bondhus.com/bondhus_products/tool_categories/star_tools/star_socket_bits.html
a hell of a deal if you only buy the bit

 

[Sk8Crash69]

I just started looking at the Bondhus stuff, I am also in the market for a full metric hex set and it was between finding a used snap on or mac set or trying the Bondhus.