[steve125]

My 65K old diesel GV needs a new front diff pinion seal. There are 6 bolts holding the propellor shaft to the flange and I'm not sure what the head type is called so can't order a socket for them.

Best image I could find, similar to this Torx but with a taper. An 8mm socket will fit over it but can't get a grip.

What are they called?

[royce]

Try a 6 point socket, they work well on that kind of bolt (no taper though)

[jono165]

I believe they are called E-torx or Torx Plus. I think its an E-8 if the 8mm socket fits over the head
http://www.wihatools.com/Marketing/torxspec.htm (2nd table down)


Torx plus is slightly squarer on the points of the head.


Edit: apparently E-torx sockets are also compatible with Torx plus but not the other way around

[speedyblue]

You should be able to buy a set of torx sockets from any tool place, even supercheap, repco etc.

Just note that with some torx bolts, the head of the bolt head is smaller than the shaft of the bolt, so if something is too tight, the torx part will snap off leaving the flange and the bolt shaft. You would then need to drill out the bolt head to get the flange off before you can remove whatever part the bolt was holding on.

My old man had about a third of the head bolts on his barina break in this way.