torx plus, tamperproof

[davesnothere]

Snappy man came by the shop today, and had a deal where yhou buy the torx plus socket set and get the tamperproof torx socket set free. I have not yet had a need for a torx plus and could probably count the times I've seen tamperproof torx fasteners on one hand. I asked him where I would need torx plus and the only thing he knew of was some kind of subaru flywheel.

So I ask you, where are you guys running into torx plus and tamperproof fasteners most often?

 

[Buckgnarly]

tamper proof on MAF sensors for Ranger, I think the beds of Rangers also use a T55 plus.....

 

[jjjrmx5]

It's a fairly new fastener head that has been creeping in since 2008 or 2009.

A lot of the European, especially German makes are using it more as well as the US brands for life/safety and tamperproof items like seat belt anchor bolts, seat bolts, SRS system parts and the like.

No different than the triple squares and other unique bits that the OEM's try and make you go to the dealer for service.

I never understood the Ford p/u bed use for them, but engineers are a funny bunch. LOLOLOLOL.


Keep the bits around. There will be a time in the future they will be needed.
Trust me.

 

[purplezr2]

MAF sensors, Bathroom stall doors, on some electronics.

 

[purplezr2]

but engineers are a funny bunch. LOLOLOLOL.
.

Not all of us.

 

[Sh1thead]

Some nissan flywheels and ford bed bolts are what i remember off the top of my head

 

[The Dutchman]

This thread puts me in mind of the refrain from The Yardbirds "Over Under Sideways Down":

"When will it end; when will it end..."

 

[el tanque prohibido]

The tamperproof Torx are all over the sensors in my car; I haven't ran into any Torx Plus though.

 

[MattPersman]

the funny thing about torx plus is to me the fastener looks just like some plain old torx. but you put what you think the appropriate size std torx in it and its a bit loose try to put the next smaller size in and it will not fit. so most people just think "well its just a little loose" and use it anyways. if you were to put a torx plus in that fastener it would fit like it should with less chance of carnage. they are out there just many people do not recognize them. 90% of the time a std torx will work just fine. torx plus is nice to have but snap on pricing for them, probably not unless you know of a bunch that are mega tight and will have to be abused. the inexpensive OTC set is what I have, wiha also has some for even cheaper actually but less sizes

a quote from one of the descriptions on amazon

Torx Plus drivers will not fit standard Torx fasteners. Standard Torx drivers will fit Torx Plus fasteners, but not to full torque because of the loose fit, and are not recommended.

 

[wheats71]

I bought the same set. i have run into the 5 lobe Torx fasteners on cheap import front hub speed sensor bolts for Chevy trucks. I really didnt like using vice grips to r+r the sensor

 

[MoToys]

There is a lot of security torx on access control hardware ( prox/code reader, magnets, etc.).
I encountered a torx plus on the top end of a Honda element. I forgot exactly what it was holding. I'm sure I've seen more torx plus just didn't realize it.

 

[metaleltr]

General Motors uses torx plus on seat belt bolts and on the bolts attaching some bell housings to transmissions.

Tamper-proof torx are used on some cordless tool batteries and microwave cases.

 

[HubbaBubba]

All public access fixtures. We mainly use them on light fixtures to reduce tampering...

 

[Provincial]

I have a 2001 Ford Superduty and the pickup bed bolts, seat mounting bolts, and seat belt attaching bolts are all Torx Plus. I believe that there are more TP fasteners on the truck, but I just have not had to deal with them yet. Torx Plus has been in use for about 15 years. On the Superduty they are often linked to fasteners that form their own threads, like the Trilobular bed bolts.

Most folks don't realize how many TP fasteners are on vehicles because most of the time you can get the fastener on/off with a regular Torx bit. The regular Torx doesn't fit well, but can usually get the job done (almost like a Phillips screwdriver - you expect it to slip) so no one is the wiser.

 

[Prime320]

I work on jap motorcycles for a living and they are on the ignitions these days.

 

[Syndicate]

Seat belt applications, mirrors, sun visors, and flanges, just to name a few. They are more and more common on newer vehicles. And, as the name implies, you can add them to anything you think someone else might wanna fivefingerdiscount.

 

[blacK20]

Ford uses torx plus on alot of seats and belt anchors.

 

[Ratchet.]

I've yet to run into a torx plus "in the wild" I have got a few bits though,

Seen plenty tamper proof ones though, although there particularly common on cars in my experience, they're occasionally on control units, particularly airbag components i most often see them on electrical tools etc (amongst dozens of other 'tamperproof' screws"

I have come across some other odd ones though, pentagons and 5 sided torx on ABS modules etc

 

[greasemonkey44]

i see them and recognize them occasionally, found one in the air suspension motor of a lr3
usually im using halfcut torx by vim, which also fit torx plus
they fit great in either one and are strong as an ox

 

[bigbarf48]

Tamper proof torx's hold on the top in a bronco

 

[LincolnCont.]

Hmmm...
A T-10 fits quite loosely in the torx fasterner of my 1/2 Dual 80 ratchet cover, perhaps it is torx plus?

 

[Altec]

Can't rember for sure, but I think the bolts that hold the bell housing to a 4L60E might be Torx+.

I agree that you'll need them in the future... I have a set of 5-point star (Torx) bits for this reason...

 

[djkeev]

I hadn't heard of torx plus so I googled it. W
Here is the wiki explanation of it....

A Torx variant, Torx Plus, introduced about 1990 when the original Torx patent was expiring, is designed to allow greater torque, and to minimize wear.[7] The specifications for these licenses are held by Textron. Standard Torx drivers can be used to drive Torx Plus screws, but not to full torque because of the loose fit. Torx Plus drivers will not fit standard Torx screws. They are shortened to "Torx TX".

I haven't yet run into them but my gut feeling is that it's just stupid, a little bit bigger, call it different and get a new patent!

Security torx are all over commercial playgrounds and public bathrooms.

Dave