star bit or torx screw porsche just makes it so difficult
 

So I got my new caliper bolts and guess what, they use the star bit or the torx screw bit of 10mm. So now I am have to find a 10mm bit and most hardware stores carry the smaller sizes. Any suggestions where I could get a good set for cheep and decent quality. checked harbor fright, sears, and some other places.

Also why would porsche change its design from the hex bolt to the star bit? Just makes everything harder.

Because of the torque on these bolts, you really don't want a "cheap set". Suggest Snap-On.

+1 on that suggestion!

TENG tools are good.

I used HF thru all rebuild process
No complains
Just get best stuff they have
Impact sockets are brutally strong

+1 on why Porsche makes it so difficult! All the other manufacturers seem to do just fine with ordinary hex.

Not true. I had to buy a Torx screwdriver just so I could change the headlight on my '84 Parisienne. Before that, I'd never even heard of Torx and I was more than a little stumped when I encountered this weird star-shaped fastener. I distinctly remember thinking...wtf did they do that for??

We just did the front brakes on a restored 1989 Cadillac Sedan de Ville for a customer, the OEM front calipers bolts were T-50 Torx.........

Hey JFP a T50 is understandable you can pick those up almost anywhere and its the american measurement, the porsche bolts are in metric and they are quiet beefer then a T50 tried a T60 and it still was too small.

Also fun side fact these bolts were made in Italy.

They are probably a triple square (XZN), Porsche uses several of these on their cars:

http://www.apexfasteners.com/fasteners/images/Torx.png http://www.apexfasteners.com/fastene...ipleSquare.png

And just a fun "by-the-by", a 1989 Cadillac is metric.................

Torx is neither American (SAE) nor metric - it's just Torx

Here's a guide that may help you out:

http://www.members.shaw.ca/oshikuru/torx_guide.jpg

JFP I did not know that that cadi used metric measurements. But I thought that the T ratings were based on the american system instead of the S.I. units. Thats why the measurements in millimeters is not rounded in the chart that Mark T posted. Also Mark is that chart accurate because I will need to look at the T60 again if its 13mm but all the ones I tried were too small and thanks for posting the chart Mark. I will post the picture of the bolt hopefully by tonight to get some clarity. The bolt head has inscribed in it 10.9

You'll find torx on GM product dating back to late 1990's and metric fasteners in most GM autos and trucks after 2000. and there will be a mix of both standard and metric.

so update with pics of new bolts
they are t55 with a little bit of play. So if you order from suncoast these are the bolts you get. sorry for the bad quality for the first pic.

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1365578438.jpg
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1365578457.jpg

As a crazy idea... can't this kind of ridiculousness be overcome by replacing the Porsche parts with something a little more standard (like good old fashioned hex)?

I only ask because brakes are on the list for me and I'm so fed up with this notion that ever single fastener has to be some special, one off item that I'll be GD if I'm going to spend another GD Saturday running all over GD town looking another GD special tool or odd sized whatnot because Porsche is way too special to just get with the program and simplify their frunking shift.

I'm just saying...

In short, no more special tools for me. If I cant use a good old fashioned metric socket set, I'll just continue replacing fasteners until I can. Enough is enough.

Late 1980's GM cars were already a mix of metric and SAE, some (like the 89 caddy) were already nearly all metric....

If you don't have the "special tools," how are you going to be able to remove them in the first place?

I do understand the rant though as it would be convenient if everything that we worked on could be accomplished using a basic $100 Craftsman tool set.

Magic! Or borrowing them from autozone... Really, one or the other.

Wait til you replace the clutch--the bolts are all metric except 1-- a 10 mm triple square!!! a real doosy I must say and I can see why they needed to put it there!;)
I have restored three Toyota pick ups and all I needed was a 10,12,and a 13 MM socket as well as a Philips screwdriver. SIMPLICITY.

http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/43775-winter-mini-overhaul-complete.html

Yeah, pretty ridiculous. Took me 6 hrs to find that triple square and then I had to buy an entire set to get it. And then had to cut the bit in half to get it to fit. You're so awesome, Porsche. :rolleyes: