Splined bolts on County axles- what socket to undo?

[Mark2]

My county front axle uses a splined bolt head on the flange connecting the chrome swivel ball to axle housing - it needs a special socket or spanner. Looks like the same type of bolts are used on the rear ball joint to axle bracket as well.

Does anyone know what size or designation this would be so I can buy the right socket at a tool store?

Thanks

[ISUZUROVER]

From memory they are 14mm (if your vehicle is metric). You cannot fit a socket on there, you need a ring spanner or better still a ratchet ring spanner. You just need to make sure you have a star shaped 14mm spanner instead of the hex-shaped 14mm

[Mark2]

I havent counted them but there would have to be at least 12,and probably more very fine splines on the heads of these bolts - they look totally different to a normal bolt head, almost like an inverted torx bolt if that makes sense, or a round head with fine spines around it, definitely not a a hex head. Is this what you mean by a 'star spanner'?

[ISUZUROVER]

All the coillers I have worked on needed a standard spanner like this:


Instead of the old-style spanners like this (can't find a ring spanner pic but you get the idea):


So basically any modern ring spanner should fit.

[Slunnie]

I havent counted them but there would have to be at least 12,and probably more very fine splines on the heads of these bolts - they look totally different to a normal bolt head, almost like an inverted torx bolt if that makes sense, or a round head with fine spines around it, definitely not a a hex head. Is this what you mean by a 'star spanner'?

They just give better bite into a regular ringspanner by giving more surfaces to lock into.

[Mark2]

They are not a normal hex head bolt and a normal 12 point ring spanner wont fit.

[ISUZUROVER]

They are not a normal hex head bolt and a normal 12 point ring spanner wont fit.

How many high spots or "splines" do they have? If it is 12 the you probably just need to try a different make of ring spanner. You may need a design like this which has the inside "points" flattened off:

[red90]

They are simply 12 point heads. A 12 point socket or closed end wrench (spanner) is what is required.

For the ones in question a ratcheting spanner is nice to use.

[Reddo]

Get the ratcheting type, otherwise your wrist will fall apart!

[Mark2]

Thanks,

I've never come accross a 12 point head bolt before......
Tried a ratcheting ring spanner on them and no worries....

[andrew e]

should be the same type as the brake callipers. i lost one once, and had to drive 60km to the wrecker and back to get another. just for 1 bloody bolt.

Andy