How many sockets do you need?

[Brian4]

After helping Faheem today with removing the rear subframe I got thinking of the different bolt types on current cars

I used conventional hex sockets
internal hex driver bits
Torx ( star ) bits
Star sockets

I am sure there were some phillips or pozidive.

My daughters Audi uses spline both internal and external

and then a lot of manufacturers bolts have a smaller head than you would think for the thread size hence the need for 16mm and 18mm sockets when the standard bolt would have a 17 or 19 socket.
Also the use different nuts on the end of bolts. The diff hanger was a 19mm head with an 18mm nut.

These things are sent to try us and cost more money bring back the old cars when a 1/2 and 9/16 would undo most of the car.

read and be confused
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_screw_drives

 

[Jack Ratt]

On my last LEEA examination a few years ago now " Cranes and Structures" there was a big section covering fasteners that went heavily into hex head nuts and bolts and their various strength and quality marks and their meanings.

I bet you still have fond memories of questions like this Mike
ie "Fully explain the Clock face method of markings on hexagonal nuts and explain the meaning of the details marked on the head of hexagonal bolts and set pins"

Deja Vu last week when I had a job in the dockyard engineering training school and there was a very similar question on one of the blackboards

 

[t-tony]

Can only be for weight (metal) saving I think Brian. In the car trade it's been happening for many years now and just when you think you finally have then all, some T**t brings out a totally new fixing system to raid our pockets again.

Tony.

 

[Brian4]

Many happy memories and all memories as it have joined the ranks of the retired now @Jack Ratt .