Technical Torx, Ribe, Polydrive ..... WTF?

[Steve148]

Hi -
I'll need to change the cambelt soon on my JTD. The fastenings on the Crankshaft Pulley are approximately T50 (Torx) but it's a slightly tight fit. I suspect the heads are RIBE, but there's also Polydrive lurking around.

Can anyone advise what bit type & size fits the crank pulley? I could hammer a Torx bit in, but I don't fancy starting from a bodge. Prefer to get the right part, and save my bodge-fu for later in the job...

Thanks in advance, shipmates!

 

[Davren]

They are RIBE bolts, but I can't remember the size.

 

[richydraper]

aint polydrive the 'tri-hex' fixings that VAG use for all sorts of stuff?

 

[Steve148]

Dunno Richy - there are so many variants now.

According to www.brugola.it/pages/comparison.htm a polydrive is designed to accept an ordinary hex bit. The Stilo boltheads are supposed to be RIBE, and some sources claim they are functionally identical to Polydrives.

I'm trying to find a spec-sheet for RIBE bits. The Torx spec (www.wihatools.com/Marketing/torxspec.htm) says that a T50 is 8.83mm point-to-point, so I need a RIBE of same or fractionally smaller size. If anyone knows of a dimensions listing for RIBE bits I would be very grateful.

 

[Davren]

The splines on Torx and RIBE bits are a different profile. RIBE bits a have square splines as opposed to the more triangular profile of Torx bits.

I'm fairly sure the crankshaft pulley bolts are M8 RIBE. I seem to remember taking this picture when I replaced my pulley.
.

 

[Steve148]

Thanks Davren - I'll just buy a RIBE bit set like yours.

Merry Christmas, to all.