Need info on Cylinder head removal - Progress Report

[Ameer Antar]

----Original Message----
>Date: Thu, 27 May 2004 17:54:14 -0400
>From: SJ <syljay at optonline.net>
>Subject: Need info on Cylinder head removal - Progress Report
>To: quattro at audifans.com
>Message-ID: <005301c44435$26f7b560$b615c444 at dell450>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
..
>I need a tool for the head bolts. The head bolts are listed as M11x1, 5X96,
>"bolt with polygon socket hd"
>I guess this means an 11 mm triple square. Is that correct? Does Sears carry
>this tool?

Sorry for the late reply...just catching up.
The bolt is 11mm in diameter, but the tool you need is a 12mm triple-square bit. They usually come as a set of 6, 8, 10, and 12 mm bits anyway. The 10mm bit is for the inner CV joint, but I haven't found any use for the 6 or 8mm on my Audi. The 4-pc set is pretty cheap: $15 at Autozone. Better yet, go for a nice socket bit like this: http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/SK-41422.html

These are much nicer to deal w/ IME, cuz the bit won't fall out  of the socket like the bare bit. Make sure the bits are well seated, as I snapped off some of the teeth from the cheapo bare bit (from the 4-pc set) as I was tightening the last bolt. 

And BTW, you don't really need any gasket alignment tools. Mine was easy... I just aligned the gasket and carefully placed the head over it w/ 2 bolts in the head. Of course, you could just use a couple long pieces of dowel that are smaller than the 11mm bolts. Good luck.

-Ameer