Torx T17???

[monkeyspanners]

Is torx T17 a thing? Doing some work on the car, T15 bit too small though just about works, T20 too big to fit.

 

[Bacon!]

I don't recall ever coming across a T17 fastener. You might ask the size of the specific part you're removing on a forum specific to your make/model vehicle, if you can't find a service manual.

 

[Ralf11]

Let me guess... it's the MAF on a stoopidly designed Jaguar

you'll have to buy a T17 for a few oddball things designed by idiot engineers - multi-page thread on that

 

[neophyte]

There’s a Walmart listing for one, but it’s out of stock.
I presume a T17 spec might exist, and has gotten manufactured at some point.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/K-Tool-I...X-1-4-Drive-Tamperproof-Torx-Bit-ea/586996810

 

[Dave455]

It’s not listed as a size in any of the commonly used standards, and I don’t believe Textron (who conceived Torx) ever mentioned it. I have seen reference to one but it’s a real “special” and I don’t think any of the usual suspects offer the tools.

I have encountered similar situations.

Is the tool you are using a genuine “Torx” or a generic. When I previously had a problem, the guy trying to undo the screw was using a generic “star” driver. When we switched to a proper “Torx” it fitted.

I once saw inside a screw factory, and when they made a “Phillips” screw, the forging tool actually came from Phillips (or whoever bought the rights) so the fit was guaranteed. I assume it’s a similar deal with Torx.

Secondly, is it definitely a Torx, and not a Torx Plus, or a Ribe screw, or anything else with splines. Look at the tips of the splines and they should be rounded. If they are square it’s a Ribe, if they are tapered splines with a square tip that’s Torx plus.

What’s the car and what year? That might give a clue!

 

[charbar]

Never seen a T17.

You sure its not a Torx Plus?? Standard torx sizes but a little more 'beef' in the splines.

 

[Wrench97]

Are you sure they are not 8pt screws?
In which case a #2 square aka Robertson drive will work.

It could also be a Torx Plus bit (T15p) unless of course it is the special Jag MAS tool.

 

[californiaHank]

Never seen a T17.

You sure its not a Torx Plus?? Standard torx sizes but a little more 'beef' in the splines.

My money's on 'Torx Plus', too. A standard torx driver sorta works in a torx plus fastener, but it will fit too loosely to drive it to full torque.

 

[monkeyspanners]

Thanks for the replies! Its a Fiat Doblo van, they are only tiny screws holding parts of the interior together.
I'm not sure if they are torx plus, might just get a set as haven't got any!

 

[Bacon!]

Keep in mind that you "might' be able to just grind down a screwdriver or other tool to fit well enough to just get them out, then replace with a more standard head size/type, or weld a bolt on, or cut a slot with a rotary tool if the head is exposed enough, or drill out the head then use pliers, or if you're 100% sure the fastened on part is being replaced, attack it with a grinder, or ...

Edit: Now seeing your last post, yeah I'd get the right driver if you have several to deal with, potentially more than once. If you can take a really good picture of the head, maybe someone can better I.D. them.

 

[cvairwerks]

Could also be Bristol....

 

[Jersey Drew]

You sure your t15 is not worn out?

 

[bob15]

Here is what a double square looks like:

 

[Wrench97]

NM..............

 

[Bacon!]

Heh, I forgot one other option. On many torx bits, they expand in size towards the shaft, so you can grind them a millimeter or two shorter to make them the next size up. Depending on the factory tip profile they might cam-out easier, so a YMMV scenario.

 

[Ralf11]

Can you get your hands on a parts diagram? sometimes they will list the fastener specs. for a part (at least on german cars)

 

[Dagny]

I know there is a 27 it's insane.

 

[Harley94]

T27 is common for Stihl products

 

[monkeyspanners]

I've got a TP15 on order, will see how that fits, also found a T17 on sale from a motorbike supplies place so may well be a thing on certain vehicles.

 

[KnurledNut]

Got a pic of the fastener? We could identify it right away.

 

[ridenrace6]

if your lucky, on an occasion or two ive gotten torx heads out with an allen wrench when my torx bits weren’t handy, can’t remember if it was std or metric allen tho


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[richfinn]

Thanks for the replies! Its a Fiat Doblo van, they are only tiny screws holding parts of the interior together.
I'm not sure if they are torx plus, might just get a set as haven't got any!

Fiat love to use Ribe fasteners!!!!!

 

[monkeyspanners]

Well.... turns out I need my eyes testing, tried a new torx plus driver which was a better fit but once removed and in the daylight I could see they were in fact hex/allen headed screws......

 

[bob15]

Good to hear......

And welcome to the: I need reading glasses nowadays club :

 

[RoundedNut]

Well.... turns out I need my eyes testing, tried a new torx plus driver which was a better fit but once removed and in the daylight I could see they were in fact hex/allen headed screws......

So what is the problem? You got some new tools and need to get more. I call that a double win.

 

[leewilkerson777]

Is torx T17 a thing? Doing some work on the car, T15 bit too small though just about works, T20 too big to fit.

Yes, T17 is a valid size, however it seems a bunch of ID10T foreigners have discounted it as useless. Don't bother looking at the big box stores. All they have is made in China!
I have used T17 bits many times - the most important recent requirement was on my 2003 Ford MAF sensor which is even worse since the screw in question is the tamper resistant variety (it has a little pin in the center). Apparently the T17 tamper resistant screw is only drill-able these days unless Snap-On, Matco, or one of the other specialty tool suppliers has the proper bit size. I have occasionally used a small straight-bladed screwdriver to break the tamper-resistant pin out of the screw head but if the screws are rusted, a T15 will only strip out the screw heads or just break off.

 

[leewilkerson777]

Let me guess... it's the MAF on a stoopidly designed Jaguar

you'll have to buy a T17 for a few oddball things designed by idiot engineers - multi-page thread on that

Yep. Mine is on a Ford MAF sensor. Many Jaguars were built by Ford.

 

[Hannahranga]

T27 is common for Stihl products

You mean a T30 rounding out tool?

 

[PCustoms]

Thank God we finally have an answer after 4.5yrs

 

[KnurledNut]

You mean a T30 rounding out tool?

I have used a smaller size torx bit when I really needed a ball torx but didn't have it. The smaller size will often allow removal of the fastener off angle once the initial torque is relieved.

Regarding T17 being a thing, no.
It's not a standard from the people that created Torx and its varieties.
So the fastener is either something else or a proprietary tool standard provided to/for dealer service.
For instance, Torx Plus is often confused with standard Torx.
This doesn't mean someone isn't making aftermarket bits and calling them T17.

 

[Wrench97]

Thank God we finally have an answer after 4.5yrs

Actually 4.5 years ago we found out it was Allen head screw....

Well.... turns out I need my eyes testing, tried a new torx plus driver which was a better fit but once removed and in the daylight I could see they were in fact hex/allen headed screws......

 

[darkzero]

Well.... turns out I need my eyes testing, tried a new torx plus driver which was a better fit but once removed and in the daylight I could see they were in fact hex/allen headed screws......

I totally didn't see that coming.

 

[drokihazan]

I know there is a 27 it's insane.

T27 is on some Land Rover interior screws. It's confusing because it feels so much like T25 and like T30.

 

[four.cycle]

One more time here, for purposes of clarification:

 

[Dagny]

I especially hate the multiple ones where nothing works not even a vise grips.