Torx Plus holding or retaining tools

[2ndGearRubber]

I have Wera holding function tools, for hex bits, torx bits, and some regular 6 point sockets to supplement my Koken nut-grip set. They work very well and allow for clever solutions to many situations. I needed this help with a Torx Plus application today, throttle body screws on an Alfa Romeo POS. The regular holding function torx bits obviously don't work in these "Plus" fasteners.

Having looked at the Wera product line, I'm under the impression they do not offer 1/4 drive holding function bit sockets for Torx Plus. I really need bit sockets, not screwdrivers or L keys. Am I missing an obvious set they sell, holding function Torx Plus bit sockets?


Is there another option for retaining torx-plus fasteners in the wild yet?

 

[Zewnten]

I’m guessing the screws are stainless or something else a magnetic bit wouldn’t work on?

 

[KnurledNut]

Sure those arent Ribe?

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I’m guessing the screws are stainless or something else a magnetic bit wouldn’t work on?

If you have an item with magnetic retention, I'd at least consider those for the time being. IIRC these were aluminum screws, into plastic.

Sure those arent Ribe?

100%. 2017-ish Giulia. I was helping our lube tech replace the intake manifold with integrated water to air intercooler which was leaking coolant. I chose to remove the throttle body instead of pulling it with the intake to allow for better access to a coolant line. They're torx plus.

At some point either due to high cylinder temps, or possibly from ingesting coolant, cylinder 3 has little/no compression. Bent rod, burnt valve, infinite cylinder scoring, etc.

 

[Grokew]

Please ignore this post. I failed to read that you needed bit sockets.

 

[Zewnten]

If you have an item with magnetic retention, I'd at least consider those for the time being. IIRC these were aluminum screws, into plastic.

My first thought was if you were working with steel then you could use a magnetizer to make them a bit sticky. Unfortunately I’ve not seen anything for Torx or Torx plus with bolt retention.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

My first thought was if you were working with steel then you could use a magnetizer to make them a bit sticky. Unfortunately I’ve not seen anything for Torx or Torx plus with bolt retention.

Wera makes Torx, regular torx, holding function sockets. They're excellent.

 

[KnurledNut]

Torx will remove/reinstall Torx Plus, but not the other way around. Did you try the Wera Torx HF?
Two other options that might be worth a shot are Wiha MagicSpring Torx and Bondhus Prohold Torx.
Either of these would require cutting and making a bit for a bit socket.
The Prohold fit very tight in regular Torx and I could see them working just fine in TP.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Torx will remove/reinstall Torx Plus, but not the other way around. Did you try the Wera Torx HF?
Two other options that might be worth a shot are Wiha MagicSpring Torx and Bondhus Prohold Torx.
Either of these would require cutting and making a bit for a bit socket.
The Prohold fit very tight in regular Torx and I could see them working just fine in TP.

Wera HF for regular torx did not hold these fasteners.


The shape of torx plus is inherently different. A torx bit in a torx plus fastener feels loose/sloppy, like using a regular socket one size too large.

 

[AEAdam]

Sorry @2ndgear, no help from me. Only curious: would a blob of grease help? Or…crazy glue? Hot glue? What about a little piece of electrical tape in the screw’s socket head? Understand low tech ideas may not be what you are looking for.

Im envisioning getting them out was okay, putting them back was the bear.

 

[KnurledNut]

Wera HF for regular torx did not hold these fasteners.


The shape of torx plus is inherently different. A torx bit in a torx plus fastener feels loose/sloppy, like using a regular socket one size too large.

Okay. I have Wera HF but havent tried it in TorxPlus.
When Camcar engineered TorxPlus, one of the design considerations was being serviceable with standard Torx tooling. This is documented. I do understand their is obviously a little more rotational flute-to-flute play.
If you’ve never used Bondhus Prohold, they may be worth trying. They fit annoyingly well on Torx.
Not beating a dead horse, but just curious, did you actually try Ribe on it?

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Sorry @2ndgear, no help from me. Only curious: would a blob of grease help? Or…crazy glue? Hot glue? What about a little piece of electrical tape in the screw’s socket head? Understand low tech ideas may not be what you are looking for.

Im envisioning getting them out was okay, putting them back was the bear.

It was simply inconvenient. Tape would have worked, of course you must then retrieve the tape.

I'm all about high tech, but I may look for holding function bits or something, cut them off, put them in bit holders.

Okay. I have Wera HF but havent tried it in TorxPlus.
When Camcar engineered TorxPlus, one of the design considerations was being serviceable with standard Torx tooling. This is documented. I do understand their is obviously a little more rotational flute-to-flute play.
If you’ve never used Bondhus Prohold, they may be worth trying. They fit annoyingly well on Torx.
Not beating a dead horse, but just curious, did you actually try Ribe on it?

Camcar are a bunch of bullshitters then, because the t30 I used, a koken, rounded the **** out of it. Torx plus 30 fits perfectly, and removed it.

I'm not sure I even have a set of Ribe sockets here. It's a FCA motor, not sure they use ribe anywhere on any vehicle they produce.

I'll look into Bondhus.

 

[lardy1]

I can't speak to your specific problem but Bondhus ProHold, as mentioned above, is the snuggest Torx I've ever used. I'm referring to L keys so I'm not sure if that would translate to their bit sockets.

 

[Cc_windsurfer]

Just use a small piece of a rubber glove. Lay it over the screw, shove the bit in and it should retain fairly well.

 

[Steve_P]

Interesting- I didn't know that there were any type of torx holding bits available. So, now I must resist buying them

 

[jayemm]

Not high tech but maybe a short piece of surgical tubing would hold the screw head.

 

[joel63]

Interesting- I didn't know that there were any type of torx holding bits available. So, now I must resist buying them

As a member of GJ you must know that resistance to tool buying is futile.
Why even try?

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Interesting- I didn't know that there were any type of torx holding bits available. So, now I must resist buying them

Buy them, and holding function hex, in 1/4 drive. Game changer.

 

[Zewnten]

I have used a very small bit of super glue to hold a fastener onto a bit. I’d be a bit worried the amount of surface area would make it a permanent connection.

 

[richfinn]

I use paper towel if I can't use magnetism or Ko-ken nutgrip, just blow it out with compressed air when finished.

 

[KnurledNut]

Looks like Wiha has some TorxPlus MagicSpring interchangeable blades but they only go 6IP to 20IP:
https://www.wiha.com/int/en/tools/t...erchangeable-blades/392/interchangeable-blade

 

[Steve_P]

Buy them, and holding function hex, in 1/4 drive. Game changer.

They are on the list! With the insane amount of time that I spend here, I can't believe that these have slipped past me until now. I could've used the hex set two days ago. Yes, I got by without it... but since this is GJ....

About how long ago were these introduced?

What is the retaining method? I looked on the Wera website and they don't say, other than the pics look like what I assume is a ball and spring: like a ratchet, or the Koken nut grip.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

They are on the list! With the insane amount of time that I spend here, I can't believe that these have slipped past me until now. I could've used the hex set two days ago. Yes, I got by without it... but since this is GJ....

About how long ago were these introduced?

What is the retaining method? I looked on the Wera website and they don't say, other than the pics look like what I assume is a ball and spring: like a ratchet, or the Koken nut grip.

These let you DOMINATE euro engine bays. The hex sockets have a detent ball pressed into the side like a ratchet drive. The torx, I have no idea. It's basically just an interference fit, you kind of press them in, and they just stay. Very weird, they look pretty much like normal torx bits.

I've had mine a couple years. I found them when buying single holding function sockets to top off my Koken set. Like 5.5mm for fender liner bolts.

 

[Dave455]

These let you DOMINATE euro engine bays. The hex sockets have a detent ball pressed into the side like a ratchet drive. The torx, I have no idea. It's basically just an interference fit, you kind of press them in, and they just stay. Very weird, they look pretty much like normal torx bits.

I've had mine a couple years. I found them when buying single holding function sockets to top off my Koken set. Like 5.5mm for fender liner bolts.

I have some of these by Wera.

I’ve had mixed results with my 3/8 drive. The interference fit seems good enough on the smaller screws, but if you get a big screw with a T30 head, especially a shallow one, I find they don’t really grip enough. Certainly not enough to hold a screw vertically.

On the upside I didn’t buy these for the holding function, they’re just an inexpensive set to keep in my road box.


I’ve had much better results with the 1/4”. These are newer tools so it’s feasible Wera improved the design. These hold anything I’ve tried.


The hex bits with the detent ball work very well. In practice, none of these tools are being used with big screws. If it’s a big screw you don’t have the problem.


I’m very interested in the Bondhus now. I’ve always had good results with their tools, but I detest the rough (is it “proguard”) finish they give some of their tools.

 

[KnurledNut]

I’m very interested in the Bondhus now.

If you’re after fancy, you'll be disappointed.
Its basically a blob of high durometer polymer injection that causes a tight fit in the fastener.
But it works very well for its intended purpose.
They are also available re-branded as Snap-on if thats a better channel for some.
I do have to say, it’s pretty impressive how they get that little ****** to hold and function on a .050 wrench!