I usually purchase and use 6 point sockets to avoid rounding off standard bolt heads.
I may have to pull the head on an older Camry (5SFE) and notice it has 12 point head bolts from the factory. I think that means I need to use a 12 point socket.
My question relates to why would the engineers have selected 12 point head bolts instead of the normal 6 point standard bolt heads? Since access is not going to be a problem, I can't understand what would be the advantage in using 12 point bolt heads. Perhaps it is just to distinguish them enough so that people notice that they are not normal bolts - surely that can't be the reason - anyone know or have ideas?
Update, this may be one reason:
"The 12 point design permits this style fastener to be tightened down with a 12-point socket wrench, permitting higher torques to be applied compared to a standard hex drive socket head fasteners."
I may have to pull the head on an older Camry (5SFE) and notice it has 12 point head bolts from the factory. I think that means I need to use a 12 point socket.
My question relates to why would the engineers have selected 12 point head bolts instead of the normal 6 point standard bolt heads? Since access is not going to be a problem, I can't understand what would be the advantage in using 12 point bolt heads. Perhaps it is just to distinguish them enough so that people notice that they are not normal bolts - surely that can't be the reason - anyone know or have ideas?
Update, this may be one reason:
"The 12 point design permits this style fastener to be tightened down with a 12-point socket wrench, permitting higher torques to be applied compared to a standard hex drive socket head fasteners."
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