Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: TheBoy on 15 August 2025, 10:24:38

Title: Why use a torx bolt
Post by: TheBoy on 15 August 2025, 10:24:38
Putting a query out there for the engineers.

JLR, in their wisdom, use a bolt that needs a T60 torx bit to secure the front shock to the lower suspension arm.  Is there a technical reason for using such a bolt instead of a standard Hex bolt, or even a torx that takes an E-torx socket?


Seems a dumb idea to me....
Title: Re: Why use a torx bolt
Post by: TheBoy on 15 August 2025, 10:29:25
Search google images for T2H17786 will show the bolt in question.
Title: Re: Why use a torx bolt
Post by: YZ250 on 15 August 2025, 12:13:53
I believe a torx is preferable over a hex where a high torque clamping effect is required. The torx bit has a better purchase for high torque applications and is less likely to slip/strip the bolt head if not quite sat at 90 degrees to the panel, assuming that the connection between the torx bit and bolt head are clean.
Title: Re: Why use a torx bolt
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 15 August 2025, 12:38:30
From my experience, Torx is used as it is a more reliable fixing capable of taking a higher torque load.

The size and type is often standardised over a specific assembly step also, so sometimes you get an oversized fixing because it is also used on other parts (so you only need a singe torque gun and bit for that assembly step)
Title: Re: Why use a torx bolt
Post by: TheBoy on 15 August 2025, 13:43:43
I could understand if it needed a E-torx socket to remove, but needing a T-torx bit?  That doesn't seem to make sense, especially in a location where corrosion will be higher.

And when you do start to get corrosion on torx that use a torx bit to remove, the small splines tend to weaken badly in my experience, not just from this car, but even on my toy RC cars.
Title: Re: Why use a torx bolt
Post by: countrywoman on 16 August 2025, 08:13:55
Mostly down to easy first assembly in the factory with power tools, they dont give a fig about ease to work on. Ex mechanic so I know!!!
Title: Re: Why use a torx bolt
Post by: Nick W on 17 August 2025, 20:35:14
They're just jealous of how German manufacturers can use several different types and sizes of fastener on the same part, when they used to be criticised for a selection of whitworth, BA, UN and metric.
Title: Re: Why use a torx bolt
Post by: Raeturbo on 18 August 2025, 00:39:56
Types and sizes🤷‍♂️. Damn right there my Touareg has every type and size in existence 👀