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<x-charset windows-1252>At 8:53 AM -0400 7/21/02, Iamkeen@aol.com wrote:
>Thing is, I can't get my CV's undone, because 4 out of 6 bolts on each side
>are completely stripped out - the holes are nearly perfectly round.
>Now, I realize this condition is the result of sloppy tool use in the past -
>but that's just a symptom. The root problem is, there's these whimsical
>
>Greg replied.....
> Did you or a previous owner think that these were standard
>socket head ("Allen") screws and try to remove them with the regular
>tool? I believe these are usually "Torx" head screws, and need a
>special little tool (more of a star, rather than a hexagon) to
>remove. Putting the Allen key in one of the Torx bolts will strip
>the bolt head...
Careful here. These are neither hexagonal allen bolts nor 6 pointed Torx bolts.
They are a special 12 pointed star-shaped bolt. 8 mm I believe. You need a special bit for these. They are readily available at your VWFLAPS or through any of the mail-order houses. An allen or Torx bit will strip these out. Get the right bit.
As for why VW would select such a thing...Fastener decisions in automotive design are often made to facilitate ease of use in the manufacturing plants. Allen, Torx and other bolts and screws are easier to set in a tool and drive home then conventional hex head nuts and bolts. They also allow for fitting in tighter places since the tool can be no bigger than the size of the bolt. This is not true of hex head bolts where the socket or wrench takes up additional space.
Later,
John Jaranson
'71 FI Auto Fasty (Jane)
'66 Square (Sophy)
About Half a Late Square (Organ Donor)
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jaransonT3/jaransonT3/ (This is the new address for my website)
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