tconn

No kidding, I think it was the same arss that invented the slotted screw. I curse every time I come across one.

gt37vgt

a double hex as you see on ARP's and high quality fasteners is heaps better if it is triple square that means all the points are 90 degree and we all know the 60 deg ones on a double hex are stronger

so its 12 pionts but not a double hex ??
so basically they have tried to re invent something that is a proven proper thing (double hex) then outsmarted them selves

i find those triple hex tools beter for extracting striped cap heads and suds than they are on there on kind

JDS968

Inspected my Snap-On 8mm triple square bit socket today after finishing the job with all of the bolts in the half shaft and stub axle.

It's clearly distorted, looks like the end is literally twisted a few degrees.

I'm not sure whether this is my fault or not, I mean I didn't have it seated PERFECTLY every time I turned a bolt, but I didn't do anything too egregious. From what I read ahead of time, I sort of expected this...but hoped for better, considering how StrekStrekStrekStreking expensive the damn thing is. Oh well, lifetime free replacement and all.

They really should make the bolt heads DEEPER, I think it would prevent this kind of damage and make them easier to use anyway.

Mark944na86

Agreed. You really have to make sure the sockets on the bolt heads are completely clean of any debris or grit of any kind to ensure the bit seats correctly. There isn't much margin for error, but "keep it clean and keep it square" will avoid most of the common problems. I spray the heads out with brake cleaner before I start to remove.

Mark944na86

Also, note that in Europe these are generally (correctly) referred to as "XZN spline bits". You almost never see this used in the US, however. Unfortunately, the Europeans don't have much time for "triple square", either. So if looking for these tools in Europe you will have much more luck searching for "XZN" bits.

JDS968

What the hell does "XZN" mean?

Mark944na86

Think about it, and you'll figure it out.

Kyle Donley

In the NAPA tool catalog the tools are called serrated wrenches. FYI

JDS968

I'm drawing a blank.

Chris White

Its just the european way of writing F#%$.....

Mark944na86

It's the same reason a G-clamp is called a G-clamp, or a T-junction is a T-junction. It's the shape of the letters. Superimpose an "X", a "Z", and an "N", what do you get? 12-point star.

gt37vgt

"X,Z,N>"??? I get a square with an X in it ....

JDS968

Me too...

Which, for that matter, is precisely the same thing I get by just superimposing a Z on an N without even bothering with the X.

Mark944na86

Try an "N" which is skinnier and slightly taller than the "X", and also rotate that 90 degrees to get the "Z".