Torx Tip
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 131
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Torx Tip
I admit I'm old school, but I hate Torx fasteners. First, they require a whole 'nother set of tools. But worst of all, they seem to strip every time I try to unscrew one. It's like the metal is made of Cheez-Whiz.
So Here's a trick I learned when I stripped one if the Torx that was holding in my failed electronic door latch (did the car REALLY need electric door latches? Don't get me started
). I took the next size up (mine are the kind that fit on socket wrenches) and fairly gently tapped it into the stripped out hole. It bit right in and allowed me to remove the fastener.
I suspect this will work on most sizes, but it seems to be the little ones that are always giving me fits. If you have this problem, give this fix a try.
Terry
So Here's a trick I learned when I stripped one if the Torx that was holding in my failed electronic door latch (did the car REALLY need electric door latches? Don't get me started
). I took the next size up (mine are the kind that fit on socket wrenches) and fairly gently tapped it into the stripped out hole. It bit right in and allowed me to remove the fastener.I suspect this will work on most sizes, but it seems to be the little ones that are always giving me fits. If you have this problem, give this fix a try.
Terry
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 11,216
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From: Pensacola Florida GO GATORS!!! www.rlsebring.com www.c6c7vette.com
St. Jude Donor '17
The one you tapped in was the right size to begin with. I have turned Torx screws for years and never stropped the first one out. The smaller ones are a lot closer in size thou...
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 194
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From: The Mitten
Sometimes you can use a little powdered cleanser with water to make a paste. Dip the tip of the torx bit in the paste, and try to remove the stripped fastener. The grittiness of the paste helps the bit "bite" a little better.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
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I've been working on cars over 40 years, and on a good day I'm still only an average mechanic. And I've had several car-repair-related emergency room visits. Sort of like Tim the Toolman.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,359
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From: Los Alamitos California
St. Jude Donor '09
I think the whole idea of Torx fasteners is they have more surface (contact) area to minimize stripping of the fasteners. They are a bit particular with regards to the angle of the tool (bit) to the fastener (bolt).
I don't consider myself a skilled mechanic, but Torx fasteners are less likely to strip in my experience.
Glad to see you have a sense of humor.
San
I don't consider myself a skilled mechanic, but Torx fasteners are less likely to strip in my experience.
Glad to see you have a sense of humor.
San
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,505
Likes: 7
From: Jacksonville FL
Or buy a bottle of this?
I think the whole idea of Torx fasteners is they have more surface (contact) area to minimize stripping of the fasteners. They are a bit particular with regards to the angle of the tool (bit) to the fastener (bolt).
I don't consider myself a skilled mechanic, but Torx fasteners are less likely to strip in my experience.
Glad to see you have a sense of humor.
San
I don't consider myself a skilled mechanic, but Torx fasteners are less likely to strip in my experience.
Glad to see you have a sense of humor.
San
Our garage is pretty stacked though we usually have the perfect tool for the job. If you have to buy a cheap 100-200 piece screwdriver set online. Just keep them somewhat organized.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
Wow, it looks like I am alone in my bad experiences with Torx fasteners. Fortunately, I long ago lost any capacity for embarrassment. With these tips, though, I swear I'll never strip another one.
So I'm a lousy mechanic. But I am a pretty good driver.
Except according to my wife.
Terry
So I'm a lousy mechanic. But I am a pretty good driver.
Except according to my wife.
Terry
Last edited by madcorgi; May 13, 2012 at 02:55 AM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,396
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From: Sicamous BC
No you are not the only one 
Here is one thing that I found helps, if you find one that does not feel like it is going to loosen......STOP. Choose your favorite hammer, possibly a punch or even the torx bit if it's a 3/8 drive, you give the head of the fastener a very sharp hit(not a lite tap) with the hammer. Be careful not to damage the area your bit needs to into.....this works for me. 
I have a cold chisel that I've ground flat on the head, that works for me as when I need to hit the head of the fastener.
Here is one thing that I found helps, if you find one that does not feel like it is going to loosen......STOP. Choose your favorite hammer, possibly a punch or even the torx bit if it's a 3/8 drive, you give the head of the fastener a very sharp hit(not a lite tap) with the hammer. Be careful not to damage the area your bit needs to into.....this works for me. I have a cold chisel that I've ground flat on the head, that works for me as when I need to hit the head of the fastener.