Replacing Torx with Allen heads

[Boyscout]

Anyone replace the Torx bolts with Allen head ones? It would be alot easier to work with and easier to replace on the road if lost. Everyone has allen wrenches. Murph kits did it for the Concours.

[bjhughes]

I would buy that kit in a heartbeat! Torx sucks.

[DarrylRi]

I would think it would be easier, and perhaps even cheaper, to buy a set of Torx bits and Torx wrenches to keep on the bike, as I have done with my R1200ST. As the "toolkit" supplied with the new bikes is insufficient to do just about anything, it's just a part of getting the toolkit set up right...

[deilenberger]

I would buy that kit in a heartbeat! Torx sucks.I disagree. I find it much less likely to round out a Torx screw than an Allen screw. A set of Torx wrenches really isn't a big investment.

[deilenberger]

Anyone replace the Torx bolts with Allen head ones? It would be alot easier to work with and easier to replace on the road if lost. Everyone has allen wrenches. Murph kits did it for the Concours.If for some reason you lost a Torx bolt on the road, I see nothing preventing you from using an Allen bolt as a temporary replacement until you get the correct bolt. Is there something I'm missing here?

(Thinking this is really a bad idea...)

[bjhughes]

I ride a sportbike, not a rolling toolbox. I carry the essentials in my tank bag. A set of torx sockets, extensions, ratchets, is not my idea of traveling light.

To each his own...

[AZ-J]

I bought a multi-size pocket-knife size Torx wrench set for about $8. Works well and it is smaller than the sunglasses.

[deilenberger]

I bought a multi-size pocket-knife size Torx wrench set for about $8. Works well and it is smaller than the sunglasses.Yup - Harbor Freight frequently has these sets on sale for less than $5..

[AKBeemer]

Hey, can I have all your displaced Torex fastners? :thumb

[BeemerMike]

I disagree. I find it much less likely to round out a Torx screw than an Allen screw. A set of Torx wrenches really isn't a big investment.

:thumb I think there may be a good and relevant reason they picked the name "Torx"!

[gulfcoastbeemer]

A torx head bolt/screw is a rather efficient design that resists "cam-out" on tightening and is compact and easily driven to precise torque values.

If you are having a problem with torx heads, you might look at the tools you are using. I've seen people use some pretty cheesey torx drivers that become mangled in short order.

If the tips of your torx drivers look the slightest bit bent, or splayed -- ditch 'em for a better set. Also, check that you aren't using the wrong size or type of Torx head driver -- there are some "security" or "tamper-proof" torx bolts that require a special torx head driver with a hollow center.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ec/Torx_driver_secure.png

[swall]

One caution about Torx fasteners and driver bits--make sure you have the correct size. One example is the wheel bolts on an R1200R. T-45 goes in and feels somewhat OK, but with some slop. Correct size drive is T-47. What I do is if the first choice seems OK, I try the next bigger one to be sure.

[FredRydr]

One caution about Torx fasteners and driver bits--make sure you have the correct size. One example is the wheel bolts on an R1200R. T-45 goes in and feels somewhat OK, but with some slop. Correct size drive is T-47. What I do is if the first choice seems OK, I try the next bigger one to be sure.

I learned to do the same.

T-47?? Awww sh*t! I thought my T-50 covered it.

Fred
'07 R1200R

[FredRydr]

I thought my T-50 covered it.

I double-checked. A T-50 driver fits the rear wheel lug bolts of my 2007 R1200R. If BMW specifies a T-47 driver (didn't know they made such an animal), is it possible a T-50 is not fully seating in the bolt head?

Or are our collective legs being pulled?

Fred

[deilenberger]

I checked. A T-50 driver fits the rear wheel lug bolts of my 2007 R1200R. If BMW specifies a T-47 driver (didn't know they made such an animal), is it possible a T-50 is not fully seating in the bolt head?

Are our collective legs being pulled?

FredDunno - but I've used a T-50 on the rear studs any number of times, and it fits just fine. What'cha need on the R1200R is the folding set of small Torx wrenches from Harbor Freight, and a T45 and T50 for the big stuff. And a front-axle tool (or spark plug socket where the drive-hex fits it..) Gotta work on my toolkit some more..

[swall]

I'll have to re-check this, guys!

[swall]

Well, I swerved into something really interesting here. Yes, the wheel bolts for the "R" do in fact take a T50 Torx bit. The "T47" is a T50 clone developed by GM so they didn't have to pay royalties to Camcar (the originator of Torx). The geometry is just different enough to skirt Camcar's patent. T47 bits are hard to find--not even available from McMaster-Carr, a big industrial supply house in Chicago. But, for some reason, my Sears 3/8 drive Torx bit set had the T47 and that was the one I grabbed when I tried the T45 and found it to be too small. If you have a GM car, you may find the T47 right for the seat belt hold down bolts.

[Bob1100RTC]

MAC sells a set that comes in a blow molded plastic box. Has regular ,anti-theft, Torx plus and inverted Torx. I think I paid around $200 or so (I traded a set of Snap On regular Torx). Worth having if you work on vehicles with Torx screws.

[JimVonBaden1]

I disagree. I find it much less likely to round out a Torx screw than an Allen screw. A set of Torx wrenches really isn't a big investment.

I agree with Don! Torx are a much more durable fastener, and harder to strip.

Jim :brow