Ribe bit socket uses?

[signcrafter]

Was in napa yesterday and they had a set of ribe bit sockets for what seems like a good price. Short and deep sets in a case for 31 bucks. I think I have seen some ribe nuts before but can't remember where. From my searching there are a few threads on here about them and some saying they are used on German cars. But then some said they aren't ribe on German cars but polydrive and the two aren't interchangeable.

Here is a ribe set like the one napa has just for reference, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077TMMDL2/?tag=atomicindus08-20. If you read the description it calls them "ribe polydrive sockets". So are ribe and polydrive the same thing or are they interchangeable?

Just found this online, it's the exact set in the napa store for 31 bucks, https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQBSR3822.

From my searching some say ribe and polydrive are the same and some say they are different. Can't really find a for sure answer.

https://www.google.com/search?tbm=i...-wiz-img.......0i24j35i39.4BEX9QRzJbc#imgrc=_

I don't usually buy tools just because but this looks like a nice quality complete set for a great price. And usually when I pass on a deal I end up needing them shortly after and end up paying full retail for them then.

So does anyone know for sure if there is a difference in ribe and polydrive and where you use one or the other? Thanks

 

[Whoismiked]

Ribe and polydrive are very similar, they are both 6 spline drives. There is a slight difference though, kind of hard to explain but the indentations (6 of them) are rounded inwards on poly and very slightly rounded outwards on ribe.

As far as I know ribe is only used on some Italian vehicles.

Poly is used on some voltswagons.

They are sometimes used on brakes, driveshafts and head bolts.

 

[signcrafter]

That's what so confusing. Here is a link for a set on amazon that is labelled as "polydrive ribe bit socket set", https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004DKLT58/?tag=atomicindus08-20.

Here is a site that says they are the same, https://www.autocraze.co.uk/ribe-polydrive-bits-3-8in-1-2-in-square-drive-chrome-vanadium.html. Says the two are the same socket but some sources draw them different.

I don't think I've ever worked on an italian car and doubt I will but I have worked on german cars so if they are polydrive for those I would like to pick them up.

 

[signcrafter]

Ended up picking up the set today. Still haven't found a clear answer on any of this stuff yet but for 30 bucks I figure if I ever use them once they will be paid for.

 

[PFSard]

...Still haven't found a clear answer on any of this stuff yet .....

Here'a another piece of information. I never heard of these.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000SOU9UO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

"Ideal for late model German engineered vehicles for cylinder head, headlight, and transmission fill plug applications; not intended for use with an impact tool of any kind"

And another GJ thread

Where and on what are Ribe fasteners being used?
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56155