Bending torx bits trying to remove runners?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,365
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From: Lake Villa IL
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Bending torx bits trying to remove runners?
I tried to remove the intake runners on the Vette today, and before I had even one torx fastener loosened, the T40 bit I was using was torqued around on itself. :smash:
So, I have questions:
Is this normal?
Did this happen because I didn't buy Craftsman Torx bits and instead bought the cheapo Grand River, Autozone unit?
Are the intake runners normally on there this tight?
Thanks!
:cheers:
[Modified by joeveto, 2:17 PM 10/15/2003]
So, I have questions:
Is this normal?
Did this happen because I didn't buy Craftsman Torx bits and instead bought the cheapo Grand River, Autozone unit?
Are the intake runners normally on there this tight?
Thanks!
:cheers:
[Modified by joeveto, 2:17 PM 10/15/2003]
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,383
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From: Boston, MA
Re: Bending torx bits trying to remove runners? (joeveto)
Get a Snap-On heavy duty torx bit or set. They've got sort of a bronze/gold tint to the shank. The ones I've bought at Sears also twist.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
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From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: Bending torx bits trying to remove runners? (joeveto)
The bronze color of the Snap-on Torx bits indicates they are made of Cobalt alloy which is stronger than HSS. If you can deform a Torx bit (twist it without shearing it), then you have a pretty soft, low strength steel bit. Try rocking the Torx screw (tighten, untighten, while increasing the torque on each untighten cycle).
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Re: Bending torx bits trying to remove runners? (scorp508)
Get a Snap-On heavy duty torx bit or set. They've got sort of a bronze/gold tint to the shank. The ones I've bought at Sears also twist.
Do they have any long shank torx bits that will reach those lower bolts?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
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From: Boston, MA
Re: Bending torx bits trying to remove runners? (CentralCoaster)
For what its worth my father and I have never had a snap-on hand tool break on us yet BEFORE he was a dealer. Not a sales pitch. :) I use a ball ended M6 allen wrench to get to the lower bolts with the superram. They don't have to be tight, just snug.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: On a Wisconsin Death Trip
Re: Bending torx bits trying to remove runners? (scorp508)
I told the guy at Sears their Torx bits were twisting and he looked at me like I was from Mars (I am, but that's a different story). He asked me what I was using them for and I said I was working on my car with them. He just looked at me like he'd never heard of a car with Torx fastners. :skep: Weird. :seeya
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Advanced
Joined: May 2003
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Re: Bending torx bits trying to remove runners? (CentralCoaster)
try this for a long (8") T40 bit: http://www.vimtools.com/cat_4.asp
I haven't bought anything from this company, so I can't vouch for the quality.
Good luck,
Bill
I haven't bought anything from this company, so I can't vouch for the quality.
Good luck,
Bill
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: SE NY
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Re: Bending torx bits trying to remove runners? (joeveto)
I never had a problem with a Sears tool...till I used their T-45 to tighten my intake base. Before I was done the bit had chipped and buggered a copla bolts.
As mentioned you need to spend the $$ on a very good Torx bit set.
As mentioned you need to spend the $$ on a very good Torx bit set.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 824
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From: Camden SC
Re: Bending torx bits trying to remove runners? (65Z01)
Yup, Snap On makes a good Torq X
Along those lines, couple weeks ago when I did my intake gaskets, elected to replace the intake manifold T-45's with ARP bolts. Saved the old ones for the next owners NCRS judging. Went together with ease. Also used real bolts for the right front and left rear inside runner bolts. Easier to tighten with a wrench vs using the T-40, even with the T-40 extension tool. Most of these cosmetic changes are hard to spot and made assembly a little less painful.
Long live bolts.
dlmeyers 90 coupe zf6 3 speed shocks
Along those lines, couple weeks ago when I did my intake gaskets, elected to replace the intake manifold T-45's with ARP bolts. Saved the old ones for the next owners NCRS judging. Went together with ease. Also used real bolts for the right front and left rear inside runner bolts. Easier to tighten with a wrench vs using the T-40, even with the T-40 extension tool. Most of these cosmetic changes are hard to spot and made assembly a little less painful.
Long live bolts.
dlmeyers 90 coupe zf6 3 speed shocks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,268
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From: Minnesota in the summer, Las Vegas in the winter
Re: Bending torx bits trying to remove runners? (joeveto)
Is this normal?
Did this happen because I didn't buy Craftsman Torx bits and instead bought the cheapo Grand River, Autozone unit?
Are the intake runners normally on there this tight?
I use Craftsman bits and, when needed, I have a manual impact driver with a 3/8 drive. A couple of hits with a hammer and the impact driver loosens almost any bolt.....almost any, that is........... :rolleyes:
Did this happen because I didn't buy Craftsman Torx bits and instead bought the cheapo Grand River, Autozone unit?
Are the intake runners normally on there this tight?
I use Craftsman bits and, when needed, I have a manual impact driver with a 3/8 drive. A couple of hits with a hammer and the impact driver loosens almost any bolt.....almost any, that is........... :rolleyes:
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Lake Villa IL
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Re: Bending torx bits trying to remove runners? (joeveto)
Thanks for all the replies.
As follow-up, I bought the Craftsman for $6.99 (as opposed to $19.00 for the Snap-On). And it worked very well.
I just never thought those little SOB's would be on that tight :eek:
Thanks again!
:cheers:
As follow-up, I bought the Craftsman for $6.99 (as opposed to $19.00 for the Snap-On). And it worked very well.
I just never thought those little SOB's would be on that tight :eek:
Thanks again!
:cheers:
Pro
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 659
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From: Woodland Ca
Re: Bending torx bits trying to remove runners? (joeveto)
Man are you right! I did the same thing at auto zone. The got me with the "lifetime warrenty". I got tired of going back three and four times to exchage them. Would have been cheaper to buy the craftsman.
