That elusive Torx tool for the wheel bolts. What size?

[Ground Loop]

I've been looking for a nice Torx socket for the wheel bolts, something impact-worthy with a 1/2" drive, but finding little for sale.

I did find this Astro Pneumatic 7806 kit, with a full compliment of 17-pieces and both internal and external Torx heads:
http://www.jackxchange.com/products/7806.cfm


Sure, I didn't need all 17 pieces, but if I need one now, I'll probably need a different one later. (An expensive tool philosophy, but somewhat cheaper than a crack addiction.)

Set Includes:
· Internal and External Sockets
- 3pc ¼" Dr. External Torx: E4, E5, E8 
- 7pc ½" Dr. External Torx: E10, E12, E14, E18, E20, E22, E24
- 7pc ½" Dr. Internal Torx: T40, T45, T47, T50, T55, T60 T70
· Blow molded case for easy storage.

Wouldn't you know the Lotus bolts are not T-55, and not T-60, but somewhere in between! What?! Here I have an entire assortment of Torx impact sockets and not one of them fits. What is it, T-57.3333?

I'm starting to think we have three lock bolts on each wheel, and no tool but the cheap stamped-metal adapter included with the kit. Anyone got a pointer to a better solution? I'm defeated.

[Stan]

Solution = BMW wheel bolts.

[Randy Chase]

Are you sure it is a TORX? I think the number of points are different.

[Mach 7]

P-126 of the owners manuel states that the wheel bolts have a 10 spline socket head; doensn't sound like a torx bolt to me. It also says that "it is not recommended to use hammer action air tools on the coded bolts - use only manual tools".

I have been using my torque wrench set at 77 lbf.ft and not had any problems. I have been surprized at how little difference there is between "finger tight" and "fully torqued" in terms of rotation. I'd be a little cautious of air tools for this reason.

[rob13572468]

Originally Posted by Ground Loop

I've been looking for a nice Torx socket for the wheel bolts, something impact-worthy with a 1/2" drive, but finding little for sale.

I did find this Astro Pneumatic 7806 kit, with a full compliment of 17-pieces and both internal and external Torx heads:
http://www.jackxchange.com/products/7806.cfm


Sure, I didn't need all 17 pieces, but if I need one now, I'll probably need a different one later. (An expensive tool philosophy, but somewhat cheaper than a crack addiction.)

Set Includes:
· Internal and External Sockets
- 3pc ¼" Dr. External Torx: E4, E5, E8 
- 7pc ½" Dr. External Torx: E10, E12, E14, E18, E20, E22, E24
- 7pc ½" Dr. Internal Torx: T40, T45, T47, T50, T55, T60 T70
· Blow molded case for easy storage.

Wouldn't you know the Lotus bolts are not T-55, and not T-60, but somewhere in between! What?! Here I have an entire assortment of Torx impact sockets and not one of them fits. What is it, T-57.3333?

I'm starting to think we have three lock bolts on each wheel, and no tool but the cheap stamped-metal adapter included with the kit. Anyone got a pointer to a better solution? I'm defeated.

its a T-57... and i cant find anyone who sells them anymore. FYI some 90's ford trucks used a T-57 as well; its technically the torx equivalent of M12 and leave it to lotus to use it. most people use a T-55 to remove the bolts but of course you run the risk of having the driver climb out of the bolt.

what i would recommend is to buy a non-shallow T-55 socket (with the taper head) and grind about 1 mm off of the end to make it a shallow T-57 which will fit the bolt head properly.

[eliseowner2b]

I bet they are keeping them all in England. Knowing us yanks are in need of them now!

[Stan]

If you use the stock 10 point star wheel bolts, make sure you can get the tool into each. Some tend to have some extra plating or something which makes it hard to insert the tool properly. Working the supplied too in out a few times perhaps tapping it in can help.

Here are some close-ups of the OE and BMW heads. You can see why there is nearly 1/2 ounce difference per bolt - it's all in the head.

[Surferjer]

I converted like Stan, much better! Next year I'll probably go the stud/lugNUT route...

[TimMullen]

I you look closely at the lug bolt in Stan's picture, you will notice that it is not a Torx head bolt (Torx uses six points). It's more like a regular "hex head" except there are ten "points" not six. It is a special bolt head. I wonder who would make a socket for it...

[APOGEE]

Originally Posted by TimMullen

I you look closely at the lug bolt in Stan's picture, you will notice that it is not a Torx head bolt (Torx uses six points). It's more like a regular "hex head" except there are ten "points" not six. It is a special bolt head. I wonder who would make a socket for it...

6 inchs of 17/ 4 ph and a C.N.C........ Hey Shinoo, brake out the Ti.
F.W.I.W. I checked with Snapon, Mac, and Matco with no match.
maybe Brittool ? Don.

[rob13572468]

Originally Posted by APOGEE

6 inchs of 17/ 4 ph and a C.N.C........ Hey Shinoo, brake out the Ti.
F.W.I.W. I checked with Snapon, Mac, and Matco with no match.
maybe Brittool ? Don.

i just noticed that they are 10 point; forget it, there is nothing available for them. they are actually made by a special supplier in italy that normally makes specialty security fasteners. i couldnt even find an adapter in any of my engineering catalogs.

[APOGEE]

Originally Posted by rob13572468

i just noticed that they are 10 point; forget it, there is nothing available for them. they are actually made by a special supplier in italy that normally makes specialty security fasteners. i couldnt even find an adapter in any of my engineering catalogs.

Ditto.......... Thanks, Don.

[kestrel74]

Uhhh what about the one that comes with the tool kit ?? or am I the only one that got one ?

[TimMullen]

Originally Posted by kestrel74

Uhhh what about the one that comes with the tool kit ?? or am I the only one that got one ?

I think we all got that one, but it would be nice to have a 1/2 inch drive socket that could be directly attached to a breaker bar and/or torque wrench. The one that comes with the car is more like an adapter key - put it into a socket, and the socket onto the wrench. It's also not the highest quality - quite adequate, but not something you want to use a lot.

[Tyger]

Originally Posted by TimMullen

I think we all got that one, but it would be nice to have a 1/2 inch drive socket that could be directly attached to a breaker bar and/or torque wrench. The one that comes with the car is more like an adapter key - put it into a socket, and the socket onto the wrench. It's also not the highest quality - quite adequate, but not something you want to use a lot.

As far as tools go, my theory is if it works and doesn't break, that's all the "quality" one ever needs.

[Stan]

>>>I think we all got that one, but it would be nice to have a 1/2 inch drive socket that could be directly attached to a breaker bar and/or torque wrench. <<<

You could sacrifice one socket and have it welded onto the end of the spline tool. It might also make sense to beburr it a bit and ensure that eacj fastener will accept the tool without issue. 2-3 of my wheel bolts needed to have the tool tapped into place. Either the tool or bolt or both have some issues. I'm very happy with using the lighter, no hassle, better finished BMW wheel bolt options.

[Tyger]

Originally Posted by Stan

>>>I think we all got that one, but it would be nice to have a 1/2 inch drive socket that could be directly attached to a breaker bar and/or torque wrench. <<<

You could sacrifice one socket and have it welded onto the end of the spline tool. It might also make sense to beburr it a bit and ensure that eacj fastener will accept the tool without issue. 2-3 of my wheel bolts needed to have the tool tapped into place. Either the tool or bolt or both have some issues. I'm very happy with using the lighter, no hassle, better finished BMW wheel bolt options.

Uh, am I missing something? Why even bother with a socket? Can't one just get a $4 Sears 1/2 in. wrench and keep it with the adapter tool Lotus provides? OK, no ratchet, but...how often are you guys taking the wheels off?

[Stan]

>>>As far as tools go, my theory is if it works and doesn't break, that's all the "quality" one ever needs.<<<

Mine didn't work very well. The lock for the antiheft bolts is hard to use without damaging it or slipping and damaging the wheel finish. The non-locking bolts have poor tool / bolt head fit. For some of my bolts, the tool has to be tapped in and then is quite tough to remove. They are also heavy and coarsely finished. No thanks.

>>>Uh, am I missing something? Why even bother with a socket? Can't one just get a $4 Sears 1/2 in. wrench and keep it with the adapter tool Lotus provides? OK, no ratchet, but...how often are you guys taking the wheels off?<<<

Track / autocross guys have them on / off all the time. So things need to work well and be safe and practical. Lighter and nicer looking is good too, for those that convert to the BMW wheel bolt option.

[Tyger]

Originally Posted by Stan

Mine didn't work very well. The lock for the antiheft bolts is hard to use without damaging it or slipping and damaging the wheel finish. The non-locking bolts have poor tool / bolt head fit. For some of my bolts, the tool has to be tapped in and then is quite tough to remove. They are also heavy and coarsely finished. No thanks.

"Anti-theft" bolts seem to be a thing of the past. I don't have any. And the tool seems to fit fine into the bolts I do have.

[Surferjer]

OK, no ratchet, but...how often are you guys taking the wheels off?

I change my wheels, on average, 6 times/month. So for me converting to 17 MM standard BMW lugbolts was a no brainer. I still have the weird lugs that came with the car, and the funny little tool, but they're probably eBay bound sooner or later.