This file was provided by Dana Baum: ------------------------------------ NUT & BOLT FAQ. April 21, 1995 The types of nuts and bolts found on European cars fall into 5 catagories. HEX - This is the standard six (6) sided nut or bolt everyone is familiar with. The bolt comes in an internal and external style. The internal come in 3 flavours standard, shallow head and RIBE CS (which is similar to the shallow head bolt but has a guide hole in the center). Size is determined by flat to flat measurement of the bolt head. International standards now require size to be printed on the head of the bolt. (Don't confuse the size with the hardness rating on earlier bolts.) Common sizes: 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 22, 24, 27, 30, 32, 36, 41, 42, 46, 50, 55 & 65mm XZN - Sometimes called a double hex or aircraft bolt this is a TWELVE (12) sided internal bolt which is commonly seen in CV joints and headbolts of water cooled VWs. Size is determined by diameter of the bolt. Common sizes: 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14mm RIBE CV - This is a six internal star bolt with flat tips to the stars. This bolt is no longer in common use but will be found on older brake assemblies and body connecting bolts. Size is determined by point to point of the star points. Common sizes are 5, 6, 8 and 10mm. TORX - This is a six (6) sided internal (male) and external (female) bolt with pointed tips on the stars. This was designed by some folks for GM/Ford and has become popular in foreign cars for mounting applications such as head bolts, transmission mounts and body parts. Sizes are determined by using a guide template or experience. Common sizes are: Male: T6,T7, T8, T9, T10, T15, T20, T25, T27, T30, T40, T45, T50, T55, T60. Female: E4, E5, E6, E7, E8, E10, E11, E12, E14, E16, E18, E20, E24 SHEAR BOLTS - These are single use bolts used in applications such as SRS sensor mounts, some airbag mounts and other saftey application where the replacement of the bolt is necessary during repair. They are generally installed with special application sockets and ablated (cut-off) to remove. There are no common sizes. BAUM TOOLS UNLIMITED INC. - Manufacturers, importers and distributors of special tools for the European Import automotive aftermarket since 1959. We specialize in German automotive tools for VW, Audi, Mercedes, BMW, Porsche, Volvo, Saab, Jaguar and Ferrari. We carry name brands such as HAZET, STAHLWILLE, USAG, MATRA and PEISLER. Catalogs are available for each German auto make at $10 each and may be requested by calling our toll free number 1-800-848-6657. A complete set of all 5 catalogs and a binder are available at a cost of $45. Baum Tools Unlimited Inc. 3922 Murdock avenue Sarasota FL 34233 PO Box 5867 Sarasota FL 34277-5867 1-800-848-6657 Toll Free USA/CAN/Mex 1-941-927-1414 International 1-941-927-1612 Fax Baum Tools Unlimited - West 1523 38Th Avenue San Francisco CA 94122-3011 1-415-566-9229 Tech 1-415-566-0694 Fax Dana J. Baum - VP R&D Email: danabaum@crl.com CIS:71073,270