Strange bolt head

[dadrathers]

I might need to replace the crankshaft pulley(s) and have found a few threads on the subject - all very helpful. They suggest that to remove the pulley bolts you can stop it rotating by using a spanner on the crankshaft sprocket bolt. However, mine isn't a normal hex head bolt - it is sort of fluted. It looks like it has been cut out using a pastry cutter. Do I need a special VW tool then to grab this head??

Any help appreciated and Merry Christmas!

[golf8v]

its just normal socket (not a six sided one)

[nealey]

19mm 12 sided socket iirc

Easy to get hold of one

[dadrathers]

Yeah, it's not got 12 sides. I can't think of any better way to describe than as if it has been cut out by a pastry cutter - you must have had a mince pie this Christmas - it looks like the edge of the top of the mince pie???

[Leon R]

Thats called a multi-hex, and i'm quite sure as Nealey said, its a 19mm 12 point. Take a picture for us?

[dadrathers]

Thanks guys - I will take a closer look and count the sides!!! Hopefully it has 12 so that I can get the appropriate spanner. Do Halfords do them? I quite like their 'Professional' tools - good quality at reasonable prices.

[...joe]

^^ i have a set of halfords professional tools and i use the 19mm socket to turn the crank.

[dadrathers]

Apologies chaps - of course a 19 mm socket, as you say, fits a treat.

The head does look like the top of a mince pie though!!!!