Technical Different Socket Head Cap Screw

[GettinBetter]

I was going to remove the starter motor today, because it's running slow and I wanted to checkout it's condition and get any serial numbers. But offered the tool up to undo what I thought a Torx socket and it didn't go in properly, it only went in a couple of mm. I was not prepared to attempt undoing it and looking closer I noticed that it wasn't a standard Torx socket, but one with much squarer edges.

Do these sockets have a special name? I did a web search but nothing came up.

 

[portland_bill]

I'm guessing it'll be a 'Triple Square'.
The Panda 169 uses them just for the door check straps. Although there could be more I've not seen. VW use them a lot.
If you've a Machine Mart nearby, they'll have a set of sockets for them.

 

[GettinBetter]

Err, no, thanks anyway. I've actually got a set of those. It was more like the attached.

 

[GettinBetter]

Ah found them. They're called 6 & 12 point Series 54CV Socket.

 

[The Panda Nut]

Ah found them. They're called 6 & 12 point spline sockets.

Helpful and necessary things to make maintenance easier.......

 

[portland_bill]

Ah found them. They're called 6 & 12 point Series 54CV Socket.

Thanks for that.
They are also called Spline drive, but that name is also used for triple square, so can be confusing when shopping. Triple square has 'points' whereas the true spline has 'square' teeth. Often also known as 'Ribe', presumably after the company that invented them.
Without going out in the rain, I think the door check straps on the Panda are these square edged type. Strange that just a few fasteners are an unusual type.

 

[puntodeltathema]

Yes they're Ribe with the square cut. What people usally call "Spline" are slightly different (as @portland_bill has noted). Top one is a right pig isn't it?

 

[jackwhoo]

I also know them as RIBE

 

[GettinBetter]

Perfect, thats a much better search term, and I found them straight away

Ribe Socket Set

Thank you very much, its difficult to find something when you don't know what they're called.

I thought it was odd that I couldn't find them using the other name, it was like there was only one company making them!!

 

[steveras57]

Knowing Fiat!- if you dig far enough they are probably the major shareholder in the company that makes them! they then put a few into each car to insure you have to buy a set!

 

[chris3234]

Knowing Fiat!- if you dig far enough they are probably the major shareholder in the company that makes them! they then put a few into each car to insure you have to buy a set!

They are used by vw quite. Slot of things like pulley bolts I vel6