What socket does this take?

[David]

These are the pressure plate bolts for my 02 Golf. I'm thinking it's a Torx socket.

 

[140mower]

Pretty sure that is an e-torx..... Also pretty sure that you have already written the g-code and the mill is just finishing the socket....

 

[David]

Pretty sure that is an e-torx..... Also pretty sure that you have already written the g-code and the mill is just finishing the socket....

Sadly I don't have a small enough endmill to reach into the corners

 

[phaxtris]

looks like to many points for an e trorx, have you not tried a 12pt? because its either a 12pt or a triple square

 

[Doggggboy]

Vdubs use triple square, not Torx.

 

[140mower]

---

Sadly I don't have a small enough endmill to reach into the corners

Get on that d-bit grinder and whittle one out.

 

[YotaBota]

Is "triple square" metric for twelve point? semi serious.

 

[Doggggboy]

Is "triple square" metric for twelve point? semi serious.

Triple square and 12-point bolts, while both having 12 points, differ in their point shape and intended use. Triple square bolts, also known as XZN, have 12 points with 90-degree angles, forming a star shape. They are commonly found on European vehicles, particularly in applications like cylinder head bolts and brake calipers. Twelve-point bolts, on the other hand, have 12 points with 60-degree angles, also forming a star shape, and are more common in general applications and other automotive areas.

 

[David]

looks like to many points for an e trorx, have you not tried a 12pt? because its either a 12pt or a triple square

I cannot find a triple square female socket set and I don't have the bolts yet to try. Just hoping to avoid a delay in the clutch replacement because of a missing tool.

 

[DPittman]

Here is the triple square socket head bolts from the rear axle on my vw.
The front has one E-star/torx on one hub and one hex head on the other! I suspect the hex head was an after market fix job.

 

[Doggggboy]

I cannot find a triple square female socket set and I don't have the bolts yet to try. Just hoping to avoid a delay in the clutch replacement because of a missing tool.

This is from the TDI forum.

The triple-square, also known as XZN, is a type of screw drive with 12 equally spaced protrusions, each ending in a 90° internal angle. The name derives from overlaying three equal squares to form such a pattern with 12 right-angled protrusions (a 12-pointed star). In other words, three Robertson squares are superimposed at a successive 30° rotation. The design is similar to that of the double-square—in both cases, the idea being that it resembles a square (Robertson) but can be engaged at more frequent angles by the driver bit. These screws can be driven with standard Robertson bits.

Sizes are M4, M5, M6, M8, M9, M10, M12, M14, M16, and M18. Despite the similar naming scheme to metric fasteners, there is no correlation between the name of the size and the dimensions of the tool.

The 12-pointed internal star shape superficially resembles the "double hex" fastener head, but differs subtly in that the points are shaped to an internal angle of 90° (derived from a square), rather than the 120° internal angle of a hexagon. In practice, drivers for the fasteners may or may not interchange, but should be examined carefully for proper fit before application of force. A hex key should not be used where a key of square cross-section is the correct fit.

Triple-square drive fasteners have been used in high-torque applications, such as cylinder head bolts and drive train components. The fasteners involved have heads that are hardened and tempered to withstand the driving torque without destroying the star points. They are commonly found on German vehicles such as BMW, Opel, Mercedes, Porsche and those from the Volkswagen Group (Audi, Seat, Skoda, and Volkswagen).



The 12-spline flange screw drive has twelve splines in the fastener and tool. It consists of 12 equally spaced protrusions, each with a 60° angle. It is achieved overlaying 4 equilateral triangles, each one rotated 30° over the previous one. The spline drive was part of the obsolete, U.S-designed Optimum Metric Fastener System and was defined by ASTM B18.2.7.1M, which was withdrawn in 2011,[70] making the spline drive obsolescent. Spline drives were specified for 5, 6.3, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 20 mm size screws.[71] Its primary advantage is its ability to resist cam out, so it is used in high-torque applications, such as tamper-proof lug nuts, cylinder head bolts, and other engine bolts.

VAG lists the part number as N-101-045-01 '12 point socket head screw' with an M7 x 18 designation (7mm thread, which in this case is a pitch of 1.00, 18mm long on the shaft). A standard 9mm 12 point socket fits it. If it is not that, then it is not the original screw OR someone messed it up somehow, or the tool you are using is messed up.

 

[David]

Is this what I need?

10 PC Female Triple Square Socket Set – FittingsGo

fittingsgo.com

 

[phaxtris]

I cannot find a triple square female socket set and I don't have the bolts yet to try. Just hoping to avoid a delay in the clutch replacement because of a missing tool.

it honestly just looks like a 12pt fastener, like what ARP sells

 

[David]

This is from the TDI forum.

The triple-square, also known as XZN, is a type of screw drive with 12 equally spaced protrusions, each ending in a 90° internal angle. The name derives from overlaying three equal squares to form such a pattern with 12 right-angled protrusions (a 12-pointed star). In other words, three Robertson squares are superimposed at a successive 30° rotation. The design is similar to that of the double-square—in both cases, the idea being that it resembles a square (Robertson) but can be engaged at more frequent angles by the driver bit. These screws can be driven with standard Robertson bits.

Sizes are M4, M5, M6, M8, M9, M10, M12, M14, M16, and M18. Despite the similar naming scheme to metric fasteners, there is no correlation between the name of the size and the dimensions of the tool.

The 12-pointed internal star shape superficially resembles the "double hex" fastener head, but differs subtly in that the points are shaped to an internal angle of 90° (derived from a square), rather than the 120° internal angle of a hexagon. In practice, drivers for the fasteners may or may not interchange, but should be examined carefully for proper fit before application of force. A hex key should not be used where a key of square cross-section is the correct fit.

Triple-square drive fasteners have been used in high-torque applications, such as cylinder head bolts and drive train components. The fasteners involved have heads that are hardened and tempered to withstand the driving torque without destroying the star points. They are commonly found on German vehicles such as BMW, Opel, Mercedes, Porsche and those from the Volkswagen Group (Audi, Seat, Skoda, and Volkswagen).



The 12-spline flange screw drive has twelve splines in the fastener and tool. It consists of 12 equally spaced protrusions, each with a 60° angle. It is achieved overlaying 4 equilateral triangles, each one rotated 30° over the previous one. The spline drive was part of the obsolete, U.S-designed Optimum Metric Fastener System and was defined by ASTM B18.2.7.1M, which was withdrawn in 2011,[70] making the spline drive obsolescent. Spline drives were specified for 5, 6.3, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 20 mm size screws.[71] Its primary advantage is its ability to resist cam out, so it is used in high-torque applications, such as tamper-proof lug nuts, cylinder head bolts, and other engine bolts.

VAG lists the part number as N-101-045-01 '12 point socket head screw' with an M7 x 18 designation (7mm thread, which in this case is a pitch of 1.00, 18mm long on the shaft). A standard 9mm 12 point socket fits it. If it is not that, then it is not the original screw OR someone messed it up somehow, or the tool you are using is messed up.

That's the part number for the bolt for sure.
I have a 9mm 12 pt so we shall see if that works.
Thanks @Doggggboy

 

[David]

it honestly just looks like a 12pt fastener, like what ARP sells

Right. that's where I've seen that head before. ARP studs

 

[YotaBota]

Thanks @Doggggboy, appreciate the info. So the short answer to my question could be,,,yes. lol

 

[Larry_C9]

I looks to me like a standard 12 point socket will work. I have seen a lot of bolts like that. Nothing special.

 

[Chicken lights]

Weld on a 6 point nut. Quit making things difficult

 

[Downwindtracker2]

Stahlwille and Hazet both make them. I have Snap-on but it's no where near the quality of the German one, and was more expensive..I used the male versions. A more inexpensive source is Amazon Germany. BTW

In metric, allenhead cap screws can be any grade, so they use XZN for hi grade.

 

[Susquatch]

Looks like I missed all the fun on this one. Everything I could have said has been said. Love it when that happens. I think......