Re: Triple squares in a round hole

[QSHIPQ@aol.com]

In a message dated 97-02-19 14:15:20 EST, you write:

<< I found 8 and 10mm triple square tools at Pep Boys, my local parts house
and
 the place in town that specializes in redoing heads when the water pump
 fails, the timing belt jumps off and the pistons bend the valves (like mine
 did).
 
 BTW, when I rebuilt the CV joints, the boots were leaking and I had to dig
 the crud out of the drive shaft cap screws before tapping the tool into the
 head with a little hammer (or the end of the ratchet - naughty naughty).
 Failure to do this can result in a screwed up tool or worse yet round
 splines in the cap screw.
  >>
....  either brake cleaner, wd40, or a small pick can clean the teeth in
those triple squares, just make sure you hit the head, not an exposed hole,
or the driveshaft/flange seal...  However, all is not lost if you strip one
roundel.....  You will find in AT1 (audi toolbox I) a pair of vice grips (tho
now you need 2)....  firmly clamp them on the outside of the bolt and pop
them off...  Don't forget to clean the crud from the triple square teeth as
well (wire brush AT1)...  If you do all this dirty, you will buy another tool
much sooner than you would have if you had taken your time...

Also, be advised, there is a rubber self adhesive flange/driveshaft seal that
usually gets destroyed or omitted from the removal (prior) process.  I
recommend getting the new seals (about 2.USD ea. dealer item), tho I have
seen lots of high mileage cars without them at all....  Most audi dealers
don't rr them, it is KEY on the rear driveshaft of the q models however....
 That seal isn't as tight as the fronts....  Me, I'd get all 3....

HTH

Scott