[Ralf S.]

I managed to get the metal cover off me 1.8 T/Spark CF1 with an Allen key.. but the lad has some strange screwery (Torx?) What size socket do I need..? Is it a T30 or something like that?

What does Torx do that a regular Allen bolt doesn't (apart from make money for the tool firms? )


Ralf S.

 

[Dave Brand]

More likely to be Ribe than Torx - a slightly different spline form.

The advantages of Torx & Ribe appear to be mainly on production lines - better tool life & less tendency to "cam-out". From personal observation another advantage of Ribe may be that for a given torque less depth of engagement is required, meaning that screw heads can be made shallower & therefore cheaper & lighter.

 

[Mitch916]

Yes they are Ribe. You can do 90% with a good Torx set but if you intend to work on your car yourself it's worth getting a Ribe set.

 

[Ralf S.]

Aye... that would make sense.. all those extra surfaces inside the head of the bolt would thrash an Allen bolt for the amount of torque you could put through it.

Not sure we need Ribes on the alloy top cover .. but there's more underneath holding the spark plugs in.

And how complicated is T/Spark coils and plugs??? though that's one for later on.. I gotta get me some Ribes before I go in there..


Ralf S.