Special tools

[VEEEUU]

This may be very old news for many who have worked on recent VWs. However for a first timer like me, it has been an enlightment to learn that special tools are necessary to undo some of the fastners on my 6r Polo. As I am preparing to fit H&R 35/55 coils I have discovered that some of the bolts require "Triple square" drives. These drives are not available off the shelf at the local motoring harware suppliers. I have ordered a set via ebay from England. Also, to remove the nut which secures the top of the strut, a special "C" socket is required. (purchased one from Mono Global in Brighton).

There are other ways of removing/refitting these fastners but to torque them correctly I guess the appropriate socket/drive is required.

Any thoughts?
VEEEUU

[h100vw]

This may be very old news for many who have worked on recent VWs. However for a first timer like me, it has been an enlightment to learn that special tools are necessary to undo some of the fastners on my 6r Polo. As I am preparing to fit H&R 35/55 coils I have discovered that some of the bolts require "Triple square" drives. These drives are not available off the shelf at the local motoring harware suppliers. I have ordered a set via ebay from England. Also, to remove the nut which secures the top of the strut, a special "C" socket is required. (purchased one from Mono Global in Brighton).

There are other ways of removing/refitting these fastners but to torque them correctly I guess the appropriate socket/drive is required.

Any thoughts?
VEEEUU

Try specialist tools shops, Trade Tools etc for stuff like that.

[gavs]

Exactly. Autobarn might sell some of what you are after as might Bursons but 90% of the "specialist" auto stores don't sell squat unless it works/fits on a commodore, falcon or r31 skyline.

Look for specialist tool places like Thomas Warburton, Waughs etc who supply to industry. The best place for VAG tools is Schwaben. They make pretty much all of them for ECS Tuning in the states.

[LunchboxVRS]

Wish ebay was around when I brought the "M torx" bits. My set cost me $180 and I've used them maybe twice before got he VW. As for the top strut nut that you need to hold with a Allen key at the same I just mad one myself. I got a old 21mm socket and a offset ring spanner. I ground of a little around the outside of the socket then jamed it up into the ring spanner and welded around the edge and it works a treat.

[VEEEUU]

Thank you for such a comprehensive response to my post.
Before bying a "C" socket for the strut top mount, I had purchased a 13/16 inch spark plug socket. (very close to 21mm) This socket has a hexagon end to which a ring spanner can be attached. Being a spark plug socket it has a hole right through, perfect for a 7mm hexagon key to fit in.

I was almost going to stick with this option however, my mechanic wants to torque all connections and in this case it is physically not possible. Hence $79 for a "C" socket!

Kind regards
VEEEUU

[jets]

I have discovered that some of the bolts require "Triple square" drives.

I first came across these fasteners in the early 70s when I owned a 911. I can't recall my earlier 356 using any of those fasteners. At the time I was able to buy what I needed through Thomas & Wall, later bought out by Blackwoods.In those days you could buy Dowidat, Wera,Hazet & Stahlwille. In those days they were expensive but not the outrageous prices they are today. I still buy Stahlwille brand today but only on EbayUK, about half the price they are in OZ. I look after my tools, they are very strong with thin walls, fit properly & when you don't need them anymore, they have a resale value.
After all these years of use in European cars, it's amazing how many people on the UK forums refer to these fasteners as Torx.
I, like lunchboxGTI, make my own special tools. I am currently making some so I can do a cambelt change on my Golf TDI. While some are available from overseas, the cost of freight makes it too expensive to be used only a couple of times. I tend to base my designs on the factory tools but simplified if possible.

[ecks]

Re the strut top tool above, it's amazing what you can do with a $3 ring spanner and some box tube when it's a Sunday and you can't find a deep socket!