Your using the wrong tool.  You need a 12 pint bit, commonly called a triple
square.  Hazet and Vera make the best.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: JCLC Thomasson <jthom@NUCLEUS.COM>
To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM <Vanagon@VANAGON.COM>
Date: Tuesday, September 08, 1998 4:29 PM
Subject: CV Joint Bolts - Why are they 12 point? ARRGH!

>ARRRGH!  If I'm not stripping them taking them out, I'm strippin' em
putting
>them in.  Why are the CV joint bolts multi point when the hex that fits is
>of course 6 sided?  Is there a tool other than a hex to get the job done?
>Different procedure?  I try to be as straight and deep as possible.
>
>It usually happens when I've gotten them all tight and then for the final
>torqueing with the wrench.......I'm almost at the click ....... and "strip"
>and around it goes!  After a few expletives I then I get mentally prepared
>for the hacksaw when it comes time to remove them (hopefully in a few
>years!).  I should have guessed they would be trouble when I found almost
>all of them stripped after dealer service just before I bought the van (All
>new boots! But they didn't tell me it would take hours to remove them!).
>
>Is anyone else frustrated by these flimsy yet important  12 point bolts?
>
>Jim T (with the grease still on my hands!)
>'85 Westfalia