Metrinch sockets won't fit starter bolts

[Briar Hopper]

I found out the hard way tonight ! Luckily I had some regular combination metric wrenches on hand. The head of the bolt(s) on the starter has 12 points, so it takes a 12 point socket. I had bolts like that on my Ford, that mounted the driveshaft yoke to the rear end pinion. Metrinch has an unusual shape, designed to grip the flat parts of bolt heads, not the corners... So, I'll be adding to my tools inventory for the "magic toolbox".
I also believe I'm the first Southerner to discover a "Canuk Creeper"... . There's 3 inches of snow on the ground, even under the truck, so tonight, I got my "track mat"(sold at drag strips, it's a fold-up padded vinyl mat, for going under cars) out of the toolbox. To my surprise, it slid across the snow far easier than a regular creeper with wheels on dry pavement! #ad
I shot out the other side of the truck and had to claw my way back.
I'm sure it's been "invented" before, but I'm the first Southerner to come up with it...

------------------
Tom
GLTDR B. A. D. Boys
www.lubedealers.com/meers.html

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Canuk creeper, hehehe. Gotta tell Piers about that one. Kinda like a Preston County creeper in W. Va. (piece of cardboard). I have deluxe creepers here in NV, pieces of carpet. #ad


I have a black finished (impact) Snap On socket in 3/8 drive for the starter bolts = NV4500 tailhousing bolts. Those 12 points on the bolts are very easy to round off. I thought about using Allen bolts, but the hex could round off too. Maybe Torx would be best, but hard to find.

 

[illflem]

I run into those 12 point bolts every once in a while, does anyone know the reason/advantage behind them?Be forewarned,the four bolts that hold the unit bearing and brake rotor on a 4x4 have the same type of head.

[This message has been edited by illflem (edited 12-27-2000). ]

 

[jmeehan]

They're so you take it to the dealer with the special tools to get it fixed!

------------------
ex Ford tech, now driving '01. 5 2500 4X4 QC LB ETH/DEE SLT 3. 54, Patriot Blue

[This message has been edited by 85CJ (edited 12-27-2000). ]

 

[StakeMan]

That must be a WV thing. I am from Summersville WV and used a piece of cardboard as creeper when the muffler fell off of my truck.

Originally posted by Joseph Donnelly:
Canuk creeper, hehehe. Gotta tell Piers about that one. Kinda like a Preston County creeper in W. Va. (piece of cardboard). I have deluxe creepers here in NV, pieces of carpet. #ad


I have a black finished (impact) Snap On socket in 3/8 drive for the starter bolts = NV4500 tailhousing bolts. Those 12 points on the bolts are very easy to round off. I thought about using Allen bolts, but the hex could round off too. Maybe Torx would be best, but hard to find.

------------------
2001 Flame Red Sport, Auto, 4. 10, 4x4, LOADED!, DC Sport Brush Gaurd, DC Painted Running Boards, DC Splash Gaurds, Line-x over the rails, BFG AT/KO 285-75r16

1998 Durango SLT+

2000 FL60, 16 ft. Flatbed, Cat Powered

 

[Briar Hopper]

Cardboard & carpet, yeah, they got their uses, but I'm telling ya, that vinyl Track Mat was slicker than owl poo on a teflon frying pan. I'm hoping the neighbors didn't see me running & sliding with it #ad
after finishing the job.
Yeah, Joe, tell Piers, maybe if I can find who makes them, we can market them in the Great White North, eh ?

 

[Mike Vonada]

Originally posted by Briar Hopper:
I found out the hard way tonight ! Luckily I had some regular combination metric wrenches on hand. The head of the bolt(s) on the starter has 12 points, so it takes a 12 point socket.

Briar, thanks for the heads up I have never run into it and thought my Metwrinch set worked for everything!
Mike

 

[John]

The 12-point capscrews are used in high strength aircraft fastener applications. A high strength, 12-point fastener is able to spread the applied torque better as you have 12 contact points as opposed to 6. The secret is... use high quality tools such as Flank Drive Snap-On sockets/wrenches to eliminate the possibility of fastener degredation. I have NEVER seen a 12-point fastener that was not at least grade 8 (other than 12-point fasteners constructed of exotic materials)... maybe they exist although, I can't remember ever having seen any.

I remember about 15 years ago when I had a job to precisely (leaving witness marks) remove every other "point" on a large order of forged SPS titanium 12 point capscrews, thereby making VERY expensive 6-point capscrews. #ad
#ad
The reason cited for the modification was the customer wanted 6-point bolts... . you wouldn't believe who the customer was. #ad

 

[Bill Lins]

Originally posted by John:
you wouldn't believe who the customer was. #ad
[/B]

Uh, let me guess..... Uncle Sam? Naw-couldn't happen! (could it?)

------------------
Bill Lins Wharton, TX 98 2500 QC SLT,12 (the CORRECT # of)valves,NV4500,3. 54 LSD,Manik grille guard,Semi-Psychotty Air,Amsoil everywhere, Reading aluminum utility body and bumper,Optima yellow tops- silencer ring & muffler stolen.

 

[Champane Flight]

Ran into the 12 point starter bolts when I replaced my fuel return line on mine. It was a good thing I had a old set of 12 point sockets. When I first looked at them though I thought they were torx.

------------------
95 Dodge 2500 Luverne grill guard,headache rack,running boards and Amzoiled. Soon to be mildly bombed. 84 Dodge d-150, 318 Hooker headers,Edelbrok intake,mallory ignition,Carter Afb,Accel coil,and Custom dual exhaust. Boat,fifthwheel,motorcycles,and shop,job to support toys. Yuck...

 

[illflem]

I replaced my old steel wheeled creeper with one that has urethane wheels,great for rough ground. The soft wheels also work much better than the metal ones for summer sledding down asphalt roads.

 

[Dak - BD Power]

A CANUK CREEPER, I WANT ONE !!! #ad


Don't tell Piers, he NEVER shares #ad


------------------
Real BOMBers never get speeding tickets. . just a lot of warnings!