I may buy one of those sockets then afterall for my truck 
Hope they're cheap 
Halfshaft U Joint Cap Bolts
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,286
Likes: 4
From: Guam
Halfshaft U Joint Cap Bolts
I have always used a twelve point socket to remove and install the cap bolts on the U Joints on the half shafts. However, I was removing one on a rusted yoke today and chewed it up pretty bad. So I was wondering if I was using the wrong tool all this time. Is there a special tool for this bolt?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
What year ? I recall reading that some of the later C3 years
used an inverted Torx type bolt head. If so, there is probably
a special socket - but the proper 12 point "should" work - probably
metric. Actually for a torx you should be able to use a 6-point as recommended above.
Although, these aren't high-torque (3/8 bolt).
SO, is the head a hex (not from your description), 12-point head, or torx (6 point star) ?
used an inverted Torx type bolt head. If so, there is probably
a special socket - but the proper 12 point "should" work - probably
metric. Actually for a torx you should be able to use a 6-point as recommended above.
Although, these aren't high-torque (3/8 bolt).
SO, is the head a hex (not from your description), 12-point head, or torx (6 point star) ?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
IT's some kind of inverted torx indeed but a 12 pnt socket will fit, i however replaced mine with nAS quality 12 point bolts, those stock things are messed up really quickly and I didn't feel like looking for a special socket for them.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,102
Likes: 0
From: spring city pa
You need a female configuration 6 point torx style socket . While a 12 point will fit ,,,,, it fits very poorly with little surface contact . Sears carries the socket you need to end your problems .
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 21,460
Likes: 463
From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
If I'm remembering correctly, it's an inverted Torx as others have said, but the size is "E-10". 
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,286
Likes: 4
From: Guam
Yeah, it seems to be an inverted torx. But I have not seen it on the Snap On or Napa Tool Trucks that service our shop. I will check Sears to see if they have it. I have been using a 12 point 5/16 socket on them. It will work. But if there is corrosion, the bolt will get chewed up. I noticed that only certain year C3s have the inverted torx bolts. The rest including the C4s use a regular 6 point bolt.
Thanks for the help guys, you guys are a good source of info.
Ed
Thanks for the help guys, you guys are a good source of info.
Ed
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,806
Likes: 3
From: Burlington WI
Here is the link
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...ab=des#tablink
Lisle Socket Set for External Torx
Sears item #00947733000 Mfr. model #26750
External Torx socket set. Fits bolts E6, E7, E8, E10, E12, E14, and E16 in vinyl holder.
$19.99
Lisle Socket Set for External Torx
Sears item #00947733000 Mfr. model #26750
External Torx socket set. Fits bolts E6, E7, E8, E10, E12, E14, and E16 in vinyl holder.
$19.99
Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 511
Likes: 4
From: Phoenix AZ
My 81 has 12 point bolts and my 82 has Torx E10 bolts, my spare rear out of an 82 also had E10s. Don't know if any are stock. I have the Sears torx set (its non-craftsman).
Note: the E10 socket in the Sears set is a 3/8 drive which makes it larger diameter and a bit more difficult to get lined up. Torx heads are hard to grip at much of an angle (such as half shafts near the hold down. If you can find a 1/4 drive hardened E10 it might line up better. I'd like to have one on hand, I have the 1/4 drive 12 point sockets just for that purpose.
Note: the E10 socket in the Sears set is a 3/8 drive which makes it larger diameter and a bit more difficult to get lined up. Torx heads are hard to grip at much of an angle (such as half shafts near the hold down. If you can find a 1/4 drive hardened E10 it might line up better. I'd like to have one on hand, I have the 1/4 drive 12 point sockets just for that purpose.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,662
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville Tennessee
Just did my '79, it has six sided bolts. I will only use a six sided socket on six sided bolts as they have more contact area and will be less likely to round off the bolts. Tapping the wrench or ratchet handle with a mallet helps break loose the bolts as well. Twelve point sockets seem to round off bolts quite easily if they have not been loosened in a long time.
Bernie
Bernie
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,102
Likes: 0
From: spring city pa
You are quite right about the the 12 point bolts in someof those rear yokes . Some of them also take a smaller u joint on certain models . I recently added some stronger parts , yokes, bolts, ujoints,etc when I was building up a new unit for my 82 . I have a couple of pics about showing the difference easily seen by eye .
Geo ,,,,,,,,,, is fishing picking up down there yet
Geo ,,,,,,,,,, is fishing picking up down there yet
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,286
Likes: 4
From: Guam
Just for kicks, I went to the various vettes in the shop to see what type of bolts were used to hold the u joint caps. Only the 82 had the inverted torx bolts. The 80 had six point hex bolts. The 81 had what appeared to be 12 point hex bolts. The 86 and 88 had six point hex bolts. So the years varied.
The 81 was very wierd since the inverted torx did not seem to fit. That is why I suspect that it is some type of special 12 point hex bolt.
Anyways, Sears and Snap On both carry inverted torx sockets. Now my question is, where can I buy replacement inverted torx bolts instead of thru the dealer?
And I thought that the bolt issue on U joints was a simple one. Sheesh! Sometimes things are a little more complicated than what they appear to be.
The 81 was very wierd since the inverted torx did not seem to fit. That is why I suspect that it is some type of special 12 point hex bolt.
Anyways, Sears and Snap On both carry inverted torx sockets. Now my question is, where can I buy replacement inverted torx bolts instead of thru the dealer?
And I thought that the bolt issue on U joints was a simple one. Sheesh! Sometimes things are a little more complicated than what they appear to be.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,050
Likes: 124
From: Wichita KS
Originally Posted by patsnitrovette
Well i just did an 80 vette today and it was a 1/4 inch 12 point fit very snug and worked fine.I tried my inverted torx and it didnt fit.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Sharky Guam
Just for kicks, I went to the various vettes in the shop to see what type of bolts were used to hold the u joint caps. Only the 82 had the inverted torx bolts. The 80 had six point hex bolts. The 81 had what appeared to be 12 point hex bolts. The 86 and 88 had six point hex bolts. So the years varied.
The 81 was very wierd since the inverted torx did not seem to fit. That is why I suspect that it is some type of special 12 point hex bolt.
Anyways, Sears and Snap On both carry inverted torx sockets. Now my question is, where can I buy replacement inverted torx bolts instead of thru the dealer?
And I thought that the bolt issue on U joints was a simple one. Sheesh! Sometimes things are a little more complicated than what they appear to be.
The 81 was very wierd since the inverted torx did not seem to fit. That is why I suspect that it is some type of special 12 point hex bolt.
Anyways, Sears and Snap On both carry inverted torx sockets. Now my question is, where can I buy replacement inverted torx bolts instead of thru the dealer?
And I thought that the bolt issue on U joints was a simple one. Sheesh! Sometimes things are a little more complicated than what they appear to be.
