1.8t cylinder head bolt tool

**j.johnson23** · 15-08-2012,08:01 PM

Can anyone tell me what the tool is that you use to get the bolts off with please?
I`ve stuck some bluetac on one of them to get the shape and it looks like a Torx 50 but knowing VW it will be a special.

**Toonmania** · 15-08-2012,08:41 PM

I think they are M10 ones like this VW Audi VAG M10 Ribe Bit Head Bolt Socket 10mm KS Tools GERMAN IMPACT QUALITY | eBay

**Crasher** · 15-08-2012,09:02 PM

Yes, an M10 Ribe, Laser do one that is easy to get hold of.

**j.johnson23** · 15-08-2012,09:26 PM

The shape of the drive end is different to that shown in link so it looks like a previous owner may have had issues before and aftermarket bolts may have been fitted.

**zollaf** · 15-08-2012,09:40 PM

possibly already had a head gasket then, and if it was a cheap one that may be the reason for its demise. can you post a pic of the bolts so we can confirm what they are if not ribe ?
incidentally, to mr ribe , or whatever the inventor was called, why oh why did you design these thinking they were any good. you should have stuck to spline heads, or even torx, not silly ribe's, you fool.

**martin1810** · 15-08-2012,09:50 PM

Originally Posted by zollaf

possibly already had a head gasket then, and if it was a cheap one that may be the reason for its demise. can you post a pic of the bolts so we can confirm what they are if not ribe ?
incidentally, to mr ribe , or whatever the inventor was called, why oh why did you design these thinking they were any good. you should have stuck to spline heads, or even torx, not silly ribe's, you fool.

I belive the ribe is an Italian idea. I may be wrong. By the way the VW ribe isn't actually an M10, it's VW's own special size. An M10 is a close fit though.

**zollaf** · 15-08-2012,09:54 PM

indeed, i had to buy a set years ago to do a head on some stupid fiat thing. i got a draper set with torx spline and ribe in it. most of the ribe bits broke and got replaced. they just seem to be a poor design imho, which is typically italian. no offence to fiats, etc, but they are rubbish.

**Crasher** · 15-08-2012,10:20 PM

The one I have is an M10 polydrive I thought Ribe was the proper name, obviously not.

**martin1810** · 16-08-2012,08:15 AM

Originally Posted by Crasher

The one I have is an M10 polydrive I thought Ribe was the proper name, obviously not.

I think you are right Crasher. The registered design is Polydrive and RIBE is a German company that makes these polydrive headed bolts, so the proper name for those on VW's is presumably RIBE.

The strange thing is that generic polydrive and RIBE tool bits don't fit VW head bolts well. I used to source VW one's from Germany and they were a pefect fit with no play at all. I guess this means the RIBE bolts on Italian cars are actually polydrive unless they buy them all from RIBE. I wasted 10 minutes of my life researching this on the net....Sad or what.