Cylinder head bolt driver type

What kind of driver type should I use to remove the cylinder head bolts? The Hanes manual shows regular hex bolt heads in their illustrations but mine look like 12 points.

Can I safely use a 6 point driver or does that jeopardize stripping?

 

Triple square. Buy the right tool for the job.

 

Always use the proper tool for the job at hand. Or a hammer.

 

Will do. Thanks

 

Toyota does not use triple square head bolts - they are double hex. Before you say they are the same thing, the angles are different, and as a result, using the wrong one can cause a stripped head. Might as well buy the right tool for the job.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?item_ID=646038&group_id=682337&supersede=&tool=all

 

Mine has been used many a time.

 

That would be a topic for another thread. Please don't hijack.

 

I am just curious, why did they have to differ on these bolts, why did they have to add to the complexity of tools involved in this job ? why couldn't they just use regular hex bolts like most of the rest of the engine ? is it just to make you buy a proprietary tool from them or their affiliated business ? $27 for a socket driver ? that's a racket

 

Are you saying you used triple square many a time safely ? They seem a lot more standard

 

It's not proprietary to Toyota. Many manufactures and industries use that style.

I'd say the reason they didn't use a standard hex is clearance issues.

 

Nope. I quoted that previous message because it pertains to that exact socket which i have. Which has been used many times. The Snap-On socket.

Doesn't matter why they chose to do so. Only that you have to get the proper socket for the job.

 

But what would have been compromised had they just used a simple torx head, if they had clearance issues and needed something to drive into the head and not around it like a regular socket ? They would have simplified the tool kit necessary for the job ? I am just trying to explain the bullshit

 

I'm sure from an engineering standpoint, the doublehex can handle a higher amount of torque, less chance of stripping or rounding off, etc.

As far as a "tool kit", they probably didn't have a backyard mechanic in mind when designing it. That style driver is widely used so it's nothing special as far as automotive repair goes.

 

OK, that's a good reason

 

Yeah, in rereading that site, I realized it doesn't say what I thought it said so I deleted my comment, which you quoted

 

I wouldn't risk it. A stripped headbolt would be a the last thing I'd want to have to deal with.

 

Ahahahahaha. Yes !!

 

TIL! I've done most of my wrenching on a VW and it never even occurred to me there could be two drives so similar.

 

^^^ yup, they do look very similar, but drilling out head bolts with stripped out heads isn't as fun as it sounds - been there, done that many years ago on a VW diesel, and they are HARD. IIRC, it was the result of my brother trying to use a 6pt allen wrench for removal.