Learn me weird bolts

So I'm working on my Prizrolla, had the belt off to move the alternator, to change the thermostatic fan switch on the thermostat housing. I make the stupid, stupid decision to have a look around while I'm in there. Found out my tensioner pulley bearing has about 2mm of side to side play in it, pulley is also pretty worn. Ok so that's what that whine it's made since I bought it is! So I'll go buy one off rockauto and throw it on in the parking lot, NBD. Then I looked at the bolt holding the berkeleyer on.

Turns out I would need one of these. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Toyota-Altis-Special-HEX-Ribe-Socket-1-2-Dr-M10S-/281209594175?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item417965e13f&vxp=mtr

Does horror freight sell something that will work? Am I gonna have to spend $10 on a single socket I'll use once?

try one of those all in one sockets?

Just means they think you shouldn't be touching it at all.

Didn't sears or one of those guys sell some stupid multitool with a thing to remove splined nuts. I remember seeing the advert and wondering who uses spline nuts. 10$ ain't nothing for a tool you'll only use once.

In reply to AquaHusky:

No, it means they want me to buy a $100 tensioner assembly, instead of the $12 sub assembly that actually wears out.

benzbaronDaryn wrote: Didn't sears or one of those guys sell some stupid multitool with a thing to remove splined nuts. I remember seeing the advert and wondering who uses spline nuts. 10$ ain't nothing for a tool you'll only use once.

Yeah, on a Benz maybe.

You're thinking of this http://www.sears.com/craftsman-19-piece-inch-and-metric-universal-socket/p-00924963000P?prdNo=3&blockNo=3&blockType=G3 different spline setup.

a 12 point socket won't fit "good enough" to get it apart?

No way, look at the spline spacing. Maybe a pipe wrench would work and then I'd have to get a ride to a hardware store and source a new hex head bolt.

In reply to Kenny_McCormic:

That sounds like your best bet right there. If you have the room to accomplish it.

At that point I'd rather just spend $11 on the right tool and be done with it.

You mean the hydraulic doodad that fails all the time actually lasted longer than the pulley?

Where in MI are you? I think I have a set of those already.

In reply to Knurled:

Seems to work? Stiff to wind up. I just don't know WTF was wrong with the old pivoting alternator trick.

In reply to DrBoost:

Detroit proper, quite a ways out from Fenton. I appreciate the thought though.

I work in Rochester Hills......

IM me if you wanna give it a go.

Harbor Freight has those sockets, the bellhousing bolts on my E28 needed the same thing.

In reply to SlickDizzy:

Link me? I'm only seeing the "universal" spline sockets(wrong), and reverse torx.

TIG weld a regular nut onto it?

Is that the type of fastener that is sometimes referred to as reverse or inverted torx?

Kenny_McCormic wrote: In reply to SlickDizzy: Link me? I'm only seeing the "universal" spline sockets(wrong), and reverse torx.

You are actually correct, upon further inspection I see how that socket differs from the reverse Torx I was thinking of. Sorry to get your hopes up!

A picture of the whole thing, not torx.

Vice Grips?

Looks like you could use a Gator Grip Socket. I also found them listed at HF, Sears and Lowes.

Hell, I'd spend the eleven bucks and fix the thing.

Dr. Hess wrote: Vice Grips?

I always end up rounding/ruining bolts that I try that with.

Do you think these would work? http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/sockets-ratchets/9-piece-38-drive-metric-bolt-extractor-sockets-67894.html

Or these? http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/sockets-ratchets/7-piece-1-2-half-inch-metric-spline-socket-set-96363.html http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/sockets-ratchets/7-piece-3-8-eighth-inch-metric-spline-socket-set-96362.html