Triple square bits/sockets set

[nbpt100]

I am looking at picking up a set of Triple squares so I can work on my VW and any other car that comes my way that uses them. I am not a pro. I just work on my cars and friends cars. Sometimes they pay me but i do it more because i like it and it helps them.
I noticed most sets skip the #9. Some skip the #18, the largest I have seen. How common are these sizes? A full set is not too expensive in a mid grade brand so we are talking about 10 or 20 dollars in difference between getting those or not. Also noticed the larger sizes sometimes come as security bits. In laymans words, they have a center hole to allow a pin to pass through it. They want to make it harder for you to remove it so you have to go to the dealer. How important would you say it be to get a set with this feature?. And finally.......Impact or standard sockets. I am leaning toward stubby impacts as that would cover me should i need to put it on the impact gun. But what do the pros here, who wheel and deal in this world every day, think? Thanks!

 

[dogdog]

I think the OEM brand 4 piece m6 m8 m10 m12 is all I needed for my VW... not sure what those other #18 size are used for.... the Engine head bolts, if you worked on it newer one use a different not triple square bits...

 

[JohnDeere1]

I would get the set with the security feature just in case it's better safe than sorry it won't effect the integrity much since it's triple square.

 

[L.Cheapo]

I only needed one for my VWs...I think it was an M8. So I bought Snap on. The bolts looked rusty, angry, and likely hadn't been touched since they were installed in 1973. Didn't want to take any chances. And with the free shipping, the difference wasn't enough to worry about. The quality is impressive. I'd say buy the ones you know you need and buy good ones...as you don't want to strip one of those.

 

[Wamsutta]

I am not a pro. I just work on my cars and friends cars.

In that case you don't need a whole set. Buy the sizes you need in a high quality brand.

 

[Cruzan80]

I have a Snap-on that I got as a lot. For a while, thought it was a torx (just glanced at it, and put it with the rest). Then had to go on and figure out what it was actually used for. No VW's here, so it is sitting in the for-trade pile now.

 

[Briancapecoral]

I bought a set of lisles from an auto parts store and it lasted about 1 pair of cv joints. I got a set of blue point from the SO website, used a few times still look new, no wear. I have a Porsche and had a VW, only used 4 sizes but price wise was worth getting the entire set.

 

[WF103]

I was thinking about grabbing this set: http://www.metalnerd.com/catalog/product/1ba391592a4948a7826320147f7d70f1. Metalnerd seems to come up on VW forums pretty often. I'm not sure where they're made.

(M4, M5, M6, M8, M10, M12, M14, M16 and M18) PLUS an extra long M10 for inner CV bolt access

 

[Olafur]

These are fantastic bolt extractors. They bite the bolts quite well and torque vs diameter ratio is about as good as it gets.

Last Thursday I used M10 XZN to remove broken 14mm bolt from a blind hole. It was bottomed out and quite stuck. I used my foot on 18" long 1/2" drive ratchet to get it moving. Thankfully I had good quality bit that held up. (Koken bit socket)

Only for that, they are nice to have and totally worth whatever you pay for them.

 

[nbpt100]

I bought a set of lisles from an auto parts store and it lasted about 1 pair of cv joints. I got a set of blue point from the SO website, used a few times still look new, no wear. I have a Porsche and had a VW, only used 4 sizes but price wise was worth getting the entire set.

That is interesting as the Lisle tools I have have held up very well. The Lisle set I saw was a set of 4 andlooked like the OEM set Pictured above.

I was thinking about grabbing this set: http://www.metalnerd.com/catalog/product/1ba391592a4948a7826320147f7d70f1. Metalnerd seems to come up on VW forums pretty often. I'm not sure where they're made.

Thanks that is a good link. The kit they have compiled is very well thought out for VW/Audi. Not impact grade but still a good deal.

I have read that the newer Chryslers and GM's are using some Triple squares. It is not only the Germain cars any longer.

 

[Fedwrench]

Check out humble mechanic on YouTube. Awhile back he made a video about a specially designed rail of various triple square bit sockets from his buds at sonic tools. It might help you out in your quest.

 

[allstarrme]

I have a metalnerd set for head bolts, they are pretty good. For other sizes I have the Snap-on set with a security 16. I found the snap on set to be too long for some stuff so I have some mac short, impact and long sets for non Vw euro cars.

I also have several sets of torx for my Audi and E torx for the occasional BMW or Mercedes. Mostly Mac brand for those but some Snap-on torx. I still need a good set of five lobe security torx plus at some point.

I put a motor in a Mercedes recently and it had a good selection of bolts on it. The newer ones use more triple squares than the old, but torx, E torx, allens, metric bolts are all present. Sometimes just a vise grip on the outside of the triplesquare head is all theres room for.

 

[chrisnazzy]

I've never bought triple square / xzn bit sockets as I don't own or work on anything at home that has them.

That being said I'm always tempted to pick some up when Mac offers their seemingly yearly deal on them. It's in this month's flyer. Not sure if $85 is more than the OP would want to spend for comprehensive sets in standard and long.

All of my hex and torx bit sockets are Mac and I've always been happy with them.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[Briancapecoral]

Lisle is great for price and availability, got the job done. But long term for me it was more cost effective to buy a better set. I wish I'd seen those MACs, that's a great deal.

 

[nbpt100]

That Mac deal is great. But outside of my budget right now. As i said a mid grade would be fine for my situation. The metal head kit seems like a good choice for me and it is right in my budget range. They only thing is that they don't have the security bits on the 3 larger sizes as some kits do and I am still pondering Impact grade vs. standard. I like the kits that have come with hard cases.....another plus for metal head. I will check out the humble mechanic when I have more time this week end. Thanks

 

[Tuc04]

You may also want to take a look at Vim brand. They make high quality tools and they may even be the manufacturer of the Mac ones listed above.

 

[WF103]

I have a metalnerd set for head bolts, they are pretty good. For other sizes I have the Snap-on set with a security 16. I found the snap on set to be too long for some stuff so I have some mac short, impact and long sets for non Vw euro cars.

Is there a country of origin listed on the metalnerd set anywhere? It wouldn't stop me from purchasing it, especially as there doesn't seem to be a full set made here, anyway.

I think these are the Vim sets available on Amazon, though they may be cheaper elsewhere.
Short
Long

There's a nine piece set from Lisle as well: Lisle 60850
Three largest sizes have the security bit. No sockets included, but the description gives the shank sizes (5/16, 1/2, 5/8, 3/4), so you could probably drop them into any socket you had lying around.

 

[-OSIS-]

Haha saw that deal on the Mac xyz and couldn't pass it up. Missing a few sizes though.

 

[454ragtop]

After borrowing a friends Vim set twice to do VW calipers I bought my own http://www.ebay.com/itm/VIM-Tools-X...394502&hash=item51f22afdea:g:jj8AAOSw-0xYdqi3 The set is so reasonable I can't see just buying a couple loose ones. They've gone up a little, a couple months ago they cost $23.49 shipped when I bought them, still $33.00 isn't bad.

 

[kblee27]

You need XZN and E-torx if you're working on German cars.

But if you're only using it for that one special occasion, you can probably get away with using torx on a XZN bolt and hex socket on E-torx.

 

[nbpt100]

I went on the Humble mechanic as suggested and saw this endorsement for a VIM set. Similar to the set others have posted about except it comes with a hard plastic storage case. He said he paid around $32 on Amazon.

He admits the set will not cover every situation but it will cover most and is ideal for the DIYer. He uses them a lot and I think he said two have broken. He even uses them with his impact gun and has not had any issues with it. Of course this is not recommended but he is sharing his real world experience.. For the price it is certainly worth the investment as a starter kit and then if I need longs or some other size I can buy individuals.
I have not heard much about VIM tools but they look like a decent mid grade brand with a COO of Twain.
I did not have time to keep searching to find the video mentioned about the custom XZN rail he put together. If I have some time over the next few days I will look and post the link. This is my first time watching his videos and he is good. I can see why he has so many views and thumbs up.......A bit wordy at times but I guess he is communicating to a broad audience with differing skill levels....

 

[nbpt100]

These are fantastic bolt extractors. They bite the bolts quite well and torque vs diameter ratio is about as good as it gets.

Last Thursday I used M10 XZN to remove broken 14mm bolt from a blind hole. It was bottomed out and quite stuck. I used my foot on 18" long 1/2" drive ratchet to get it moving. Thankfully I had good quality bit that held up. (Koken bit socket)

Only for that, they are nice to have and totally worth whatever you pay for them.

Charles on the Humble Mechanic did talk about using them as an extractor on damaged hex head and Torx screws. I assume that is what you used your M10XZN on? I agree, totally worth it if that is all you every use them for.

 

[TheEuronater]

I like the OTC stubby XZN set. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JF5FAHO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[nbpt100]

I like the OTC stubby XZN set. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JF5FAHO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Thanks for sharing that set. Looks like a nice set and a reasonable price. I really like how they have external hexes to help in tight spaces.

I did order up a 10 piece VIM impact grade set. I will post a pic when it arrives.

 

[mmason7764]

Call me jaded, but if I were to be confronted with triple square, E torx, or other bolt heads, I think I would just get these: http://www.hudsonbearings.com/products/turbosocket/ then replace the hardware.



For obscure screw heads left handed drill bits come to mind.

 

[rattler459]

I've never bought triple square / xzn bit sockets as I don't own or work on anything at home that has them.

That being said I'm always tempted to pick some up when Mac offers their seemingly yearly deal on them. It's in this month's flyer. Not sure if $85 is more than the OP would want to spend for comprehensive sets in standard and long.

All of my hex and torx bit sockets are Mac and I've always been happy with them.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

i just looked at the flyer on line and do see that deal I would love to get it

 

[Fcvapor05]

Call me jaded, but if I were to be confronted with triple square, E torx, or other bolt heads, I think I would just get these: http://www.hudsonbearings.com/products/turbosocket/ then replace the hardware.



For obscure screw heads left handed drill bits come to mind.

Replacing the high quality triple square fasteners used in many locations on any new car with whatever bolts you have lying around would not be a great plan.

Especially e-torx, which are often used in placed where other fastener head types will not fit.

To each their own I guess.

 

[DerekV]

These are fantastic bolt extractors. They bite the bolts quite well and torque vs diameter ratio is about as good as it gets.

Last Thursday I used M10 XZN to remove broken 14mm bolt from a blind hole. It was bottomed out and quite stuck. I used my foot on 18" long 1/2" drive ratchet to get it moving. Thankfully I had good quality bit that held up. (Koken bit socket)

Only for that, they are nice to have and totally worth whatever you pay for them.

I actually used mine XZNs for this the other day. Replaced the turbo oil drain line on my 2003 VW 1.8T Jetta. One of the 5mm heads on a M6 hex bolt was rusted to smithereens...a 5mm hex bit was like a hotdog in a hallway, nothing SAE that I had on hand would fit any better, and it was just too small for the 6mm hex bit. I remembered seeing that Humble Mechanic video where he mentioned triple squares for bolt extraction, so I hammered my M6 triple square bit in there and it worked PERFECTLY! Literally saved my bacon big time.

OP: I have the OTC stubby set. I like it and the veratility is really nice, but it is missing the bigger sizes, and for my car (MK4 VW), most things triple square are things I'd like to use an impact on. That said, I'd recommend an impact set. Sunex has a pretty complete 3/8" drive stubby set that I've had my eye on...I just wish it was 1/2" drive since all of my impacts and impact accessories are 1/2".

 

[Olafur]

I shot this picture for you guys since I still haven't removed the bit from the bolt. (I hardly ever see xzn fasteners)

This is 14mm 10.9 bolt that was to long in a blind hole and was bottomed out. You can see the end is a bit jammed. It took at least 200lb/ft to remove, probably more. It was broken about 10mm "below the surface" (inside the hole) so welding was not feasible.

 

[rick carpenter]

I bought a USA-made parts house set for my old Jetta. Forget taking the fender off to loosen the front door hinges, just cut down the M8 to fit.

 

[48548]

Two sets I own... otc and toptul....

 

[nbpt100]

I just got my triple square set from VIM. It is a set of 10 impact grade 3/8 drive sockets on an 8" socket magnetic rail. The Over all height of each socket is 1.10 inches.
The set of 10 includes the following XZN sizes:

4,5,6,8,9,10,12,14,16 and 18.

The 16 and 18 are security sockets.

They have a good finish and the markings are clear.