Tool info please

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Aug 1, 2020 | 01:05 PM

lariatbob

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Joined: Jan 2004

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From: Colorado

Tool info please

I am preparing to change the diff oil on my 2017 f350 dually. Dana M300.
Trying to find the socket for the bolts. They are 12 point. 13mm 12 point too lose. Not an E-torx.
Any idea what they are?

Thank you.

Aug 1, 2020 | 01:33 PM

jonathanjr1

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Joined: Oct 2017

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They are 13mm 12 point bolts. I think it might be a issue with tolerance of you socket. You can try a 1/2 socket as it is slightly smaller than a 13.

Aug 1, 2020 | 01:34 PM

SARDiverDan

Cargo Master

Joined: Oct 2011

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From: SoCal/Wyoming

Do you only own one socket...

If 13mm is too loose, try a 12mm or an 11mm or a 1/2 or 7/16 or 3/8... Has to be one of them unless your socket is bad.

Aug 1, 2020 | 04:06 PM

Rich53

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12 point bolt heads need special sockets, you might be able to get them at Harbor Freight. If you try and use a regular socket you will round them off and never get them out.

Aug 1, 2020 | 04:13 PM

C12H24

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Joined: Feb 2018

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Spline drive socket. They come in both male and female. You can thank Europe for that one from many years ago.

Aug 1, 2020 | 04:44 PM

lariatbob

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Joined: Jan 2004

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From: Colorado

Alright. Thanks everyone. I tried 2 sockets and a wrench, just a bit too loose, not willing to see if it would work or round off. I will look for the spline drive sockets, makes sense something is a bit different. I will let you know.

Aug 1, 2020 | 09:16 PM

h20camper

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Joined: Apr 2017

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From: Lost in the Ozone....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich53

12 point bolt heads need special sockets, you might be able to get them at Harbor Freight. If you try and use a regular socket you will round them off and never get them out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by C12H24

Spline drive socket. They come in both male and female. You can thank Europe for that one from many years ago.

Thanks for sharing. Doesn't that suck and thank Dana for using them.

https://www.harborfreight.com/7-piec...set-96363.html

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Aug 2, 2020 | 10:30 AM

lariatbob

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 256

Likes: 7

From: Colorado

I picked up a nice Husky set at Home D. Standard and metric, what they call universal. They fit all kinds of bolt heads. Hex, 12pt, spline etc. Got the cover loose except for the top and bottom bolt. Then I pulled the bottom bolt and it started draining.
After it drained and I wiped off the cover I noticed that it was stamped in the cover "Drain>". I have never dealt with a diff with a dedicated drain. I was looking forward to pulling the cover and seeing the beefiness within. I guess I am getting too old. I put the bolts back and filled it up. Done.
Thanks to everyone who replied, I learned a bit about the new fastener designs. Another reason to buy more tools. Sigh.