Bloody French cars!-What bolt is this?

[Argyll]

Yesterday I tried to change over my brake pad and discs on my Peugeot Partner van but found this bolt.

A 13mm socket fits over it but I didn't want to force it in case I rounded the bolt. Is a 13mm socket supposed to be used or do I need to buy some weird socket for it?

[mike10]

You need some torx sockets

[Argyll]

Ah Torx sockets.

Cheers mate. I don't understand those French. Why not just use a normal socket

[Bob225]

It a E bolt you need a E torx (the E stands for external)

most modern cars have them now

[Bob225]

here you go e torx aka tx sockets

https://www.screwfix.com/p/hilka-pro-cr ... eces/7617k

[mike10]

I've got a 15 year old Vauxhall and that's about 75% Torx fixings, so it's not just the French and doesn't have to be that modern.
Apparently they can cope with more toque and less liable to get rounded off than hex fixings.

[Bob225]

I've got a 15 year old Vauxhall and that's about 75% Torx fixings, so it's not just the French and doesn't have to be that modern.
Apparently they can cope with more toque and less liable to get rounded off than hex fixings.

Vauxhall/ opel have used them for years I think it was early-mid 90's the corsa B 93-2000 had them for sure so did a lot of European cars

The nova also used them in the 80's

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torx

[Argyll]

You live and learn, I thought it was only the French that had them.

I've booked in to the garage on Thursday. £70 for the lot as I'm not feeling to great just now.

Thanks for the replies.

[steviejoiner74]

You live and learn, I thought it was only the French that had them.

I've booked in to the garage on Thursday. £70 for the lot as I'm not feeling to great just now.

Thanks for the replies.

70quid to get disks and pads fitted? Wow that’s cheap!

[Kev888]

I used to do all the routine stuff on my cars, but the kit and knowledge needed with modern ones is just making it ever less worthwhile. And god forbid some acknowledgement is needed by the car's computer, even after things are fixed.

In this case you probably just need the particular socket. But... you may never use it again and TBH £70 sounds pretty good all in and (presumably) with warranty on the work and (if they're honest) comeback if they mess up. Some of my local independent garages charge around £80/hr just for labour.

[Argyll]

You live and learn, I thought it was only the French that had them.

I've booked in to the garage on Thursday. £70 for the lot as I'm not feeling to great just now.

Thanks for the replies.

70quid to get disks and pads fitted? Wow that’s cheap!

Just for labour mate. I already bought the discs and pads. I was going to fit them myself and saw the Torx bolt and wondered what it was. I've only ever seen the female Torx stuff. First time I've seen the male bolts.

Then I thought it would cost me about £40 for a decent Torx socket set so it would only cost an extra £20-£30 t o have them fitted.

I had a wee funny turn last week so taking it easy.

[Argyll]

I used to do all the routine stuff on my cars, but the kit and knowledge needed with modern ones is just making it ever less worthwhile. And god forbid some acknowledgement is needed by the car's computer, even after things are fixed.

In this case you probably just need the particular socket. But... you may never use it again and TBH £70 sounds pretty good all in and (presumably) with warranty on the work and (if they're honest) comeback if they mess up. Some of my local independent garages charge around £80/hr just for labour.

The local garage I normally go to charges around £45ph (I think). He's very good and I trust him and that's the important bit. I've went to him since I had my nissan 350z. I now have a Peugeot van so I thought it was kind of silly taking a 7 yr old van to a high performance specialist. However some of my mates recommended a guy just around the corner from him and he seems okay.

I'll reserve judgement for a few years as i've been conned a couple of times after thinking they were ok.

[Rorschach]

I try and do as much work as I can myself, it doesn't always work out cheaper but at least I know the job is done right. I do have a good mechanic who does my MOT, I would trust him to do work I couldn't but he isn't cheap.
I am also lucky to have a friend who has a self service workshop, you can hire the workshop (and his assistance) on a daily basis. It works nicely as he has a nice little bit of space and is very knowledgeable. Only problem is that he is limited toolwise in what he can do and doesn't have a lift so certain jobs are problematic. You do learn an awful lot though working with a trained mechanic who is happy to teach.