MPD47

Man, I despise the cheesehead bolts in the axles, every time without fail, that I've had to deal with them I've stripped a few. This time, while getting ready to swap in the new transaxle and subframe I stripped no less than 9 of them. Keep in mind I normally dont have a heavy hand and I use alot of PB Blaster.

Probably one of my LEAST favorite things on the 951.

/rant

hosrom_951

Weird, i never had a problem with them. I have taken out both driver and passenger side axles a few times, once for replacing a CV, once for repacking them and once for replacing the outer shaft seal(s).

I will admit that one time, the drivers side CV fell off, probably due to the PO/Mechanic not torquing them correctly, that was the only time i got new bolts for that one CV. But generally speaking, never encountered any issues with them, maybe you should get a better tool, something that would sit in the correctly and have no play (at all)?

special tool

Mike - what are you torqing them to?
The spec is VERY low - much lower than you would think - Its 18 or 30 something, can't remember off hand.

PorscheDoc

Put in allen heads like every other porsche has, lol.

Yabo

yeah, my friend just got a pack of 50 allens the right size for like 10 bucks, and i took half from him. 5 bucks to not worry about it anymore.

MPD47

Sadly, last time the ones on this car were done, it was a shop doing them....

theedge

Anybody heard of troubles with using plain allen head bolts coming loose? The cheesehead bolts are stretch bolts, theres gotta be a reason those were used...

924RACR

Cross-drilling and safety-wire is THE ANSWER to loose CV bolts. Sure, it makes it a little longer to install or remove them, but well worth it to not have to ever wory about them falling out. I always make sure to clean the heads out thoroughly, and never have a problem stripping them unless I get my tool in crooked.

RedlineMan

Well...

The reason they are used is that engineers are techno-weenies! Very accurate torque readings, more tool contact surface area than Allens = higher grip, blah blah blah. BS... I use Allens, given the choice!

I must say that I do not have that much trouble with the triple squares though. The real key is to have a very sharp driver to get them out (I use a SnapOn), Making sure you have the tool square to the bolt, and making sure they are cleaned out. I usually tap the 3/squ in with a hammer if they are cruddy. I do a lot of them and only occasionally strip one. I also sharpen and/or replace my driver fairly often!

I also just tighten them by feel, which I know ends up being far higher than the spec. I've never snapped one, nor EVER had one come loose!

WesM951

I stripped a few on my flywheel when i did the clutch job. Replaced 3 of the 9 with allen head ones.

PorscheDoc

I have never had a car come back to the shop because of loose cv bolts (allen style). If you torque them properly, they will stay put, even in cars putting down 500-600hp. 996,993,boxsters,930's,911's etc all use allen bolts. Don't know why they thought they needed to use triple squares on the 944.

theedge

I might switch then. Shame I just ordered 24 of the cheeseheads

hosrom_951

Everyone who has issues with the factory bolts, makes me more convinced that there could be something wrong with the tool you use.

Like i mentioned before, i took off all four CV bolts numerous of times and reused them without any issues at all.

MPD47

If I was at my house working, you might be able to convince me of that, as I sometimes cut corners. Seeing as how I'm staying at a friend's shop right now with a wall of snap on, I dont think so.

apierce918

if the cheesehead bolts are indeed stretch bolts, that probably means i should replace all the flywheel bolts then? they looked brand new, but if they have already been stretched... mine as well spend the 15-20$ and just get new ones