Torx Bit Size

[Dorianfes]

Ok....so those of you that remember, I'm still trying to take off my ignition.  Getting a torx security bit that actually fits is proving to be a lot harder than I thought it would.  Does anyone know what size torx security bit I need to get to remove the ignition security pins?  perhaps someone that has done it before.  And maybe where I could go to get it.  Went to home depot, NAPA, and Ace hardware already and all the torx bits they have are too small.  I was thinking of hitting up the lowes' but it's kind of a hike out there.  If I could call and see if they have the size for me it'd be great.

thanks,

Dorian

[Onlypastrana199]

I have a rather large set of torx bits, most I got from a tractor store.

[LimaXray]

Go to Sears Hardware, they have all the Torx bits you'll ever need, including the security bits

[FearedGS500]

yea try sears if they dont have what you need to to some online sites like snapon,mac,matco,cornwell see what you can find if you see somthing they have and can not get them to order you any thing . go to a stealer ship  and ask one of the service advisors when the tool guy comes around for the tech.'s and they should be able to find out for you . and you can ask the tool guy if he has it and if not when he can get it i  know this cuz i work a Automax Ford in killeen,tx but if you get it from a tool guy be ready to spend a good buck on it .

[Dorianfes]

okay so i went to sears and got a full set of tamper resistant hex torx bits.  none of them fit     am i missing something? 

[FearedGS500]

are they  MM or Stand ?

[mracoustic]

I might not understand your question, but the security torx bolt has a head that breaks off when you tighten it down. This makes it so no one can unbolt your ignition. It won't matter if you have the bits that fit it or not cuz the heads gone. The only way to get the ignition OFF is drill those bad boys until the entire head of the bolt is gone. Then the ignition will just slip off. Then, if you want, you can get new security torx bolts, with heads on them, and put them on. I didn't, I just put regular bolts back in.
I might not understand what  you are asking but i just took off my ignition and that was the only way, i could see, to do it.

Also, just so we're clear. The bolts I'm talking about are behind the head light, underneath the ignition.

[Dorianfes]

ummmm........ they were made in iowa, so i'm guessing they're standard.  they were the only ones i could find....should i try to find a set in mm??

[Dorianfes]

I might not understand your question, but the security torx bolt has a head that breaks off when you tighten it down. This makes it so no one can unbolt your ignition. It won't matter if you have the bits that fit it or not cuz the heads gone. The only way to get the ignition OFF is drill those bad boys until the entire head of the bolt is gone. Then the ignition will just slip off. Then, if you want, you can get new security torx bolts, with heads on them, and put them on. I didn't, I just put regular bolts back in.
I might not understand what  you are asking but i just took off my ignition and that was the only way, i could see, to do it.

Also, just so we're clear. The bolts I'm talking about are behind the head light, underneath the ignition.

well damn....looks like i've been going about this all wrong.  so.....could you tell me exactly how to go about drilling these things out?  yeah underneath the ignition behind the headlight there are two holes....feels like there is a pin in each of them.  it looks like it's what is holding the ignition into the black frame.

[mracoustic]

Yup, that's them. What you'll need is a drill, a bit that is just big enough to fill those holes, a chair, and at least two beers. They are a pain in the ass to get out. You'll know when you have drilled out the head, you can feel the drill pop and the ignition will beome loose. If you can, get the longest bit you can find. You will have to manuever around the forks a bit. I also tried a dremel tool, it seemed to work ok but not as well the drill bit. Maybe you have a tip that works better than mine though.
Once you get the ignition off there is enough bolt sticking out to unscrew with pliers.
I don't envy you. Mine took me forever, but my wheel was locked so it complicated things. good luck

[Egaeus]

According to Clymer, the ignition is held on by Torx-head bolts, so you'd need a Torx wrench, not Torx bits.  However, it's made to shear off, so you wouldn't be able to use it anyway except to put it back on.

An alternative method, also suggested by Clymer, is to use a centerpunch.  Take the upper fork bridge off and centerpunch the outside part of the bolt.  Then use the indentation you created to tap the bolt counterclockwise.  Not easy, and it may not work in all circumstances, but you don't have the risks that you have when drilling it out.   

If you decide that you need to drill (nothing left to get a wrench on or anything), try using a screw extractor set first. 

AFAIK, Torx is only available in one type of sizes (I assume it's metric). 

[FearedGS500]

ohhh haha ya sorry .. i was thinking a Torxs bit .. like the start pattern .. i was not thinking of a bolt that snaps off at a set  FT. LBS  yea so drill it out and be happy . if you have the money i'd buy a new bit and get you some spray oil and spray the bit down every so often so you dont burn the bit up . cuz if you burn the bit up you will be there all day

[Dorianfes]

damn....my wheel is locked too.....not good.  well looks like i'm going to have to try to drill it...i'll try the screw extractor idea...atleast i've used those before.

thanks for the help

Dorian

[Dorianfes]

damn....my wheel is locked too.....not good.  well looks like i'm going to have to try to drill it...i'll try the screw extractor idea...atleast i've used those before.

thanks for all the help,

Dorian