Are Star tips the same as Torx?

[RickC]

Baffled...

Trying to remove the wing mirror from my w203. I have plenty of what I thought were security Torx heads and they dont work. So I bought some security star tips from Halfords and they dont fit either.

Are Torx the same as Star heads and which do I need for this bloomin mirror?

Thanks

 

[umblecumbuz]

Don't know about the mirrors on the 203, but as well as the normal six pointed Torx fittings, Mercedes have a few 5 pointed bolts on the car also - for instance, on the Maf.
I fiddled for a while before realising this, and ended up buying a five pointed set to add to my toolbox.

 

[noonboots]

Torx is the proper name for the bolts and screws used by Mercedes. The.name star bits is a generic term for the same thing. Some high load bolts use a form called torx plus which is a slightly different form. The other common type used on Italian cars are ribe bits which are a six point with a square form. I think if you get a torx set you will find the correct size in there.

 

[rorywquin]

Baffled...

Trying to remove the wing mirror from my w203. I have plenty of what I thought were security Torx heads and they dont work. So I bought some security star tips from Halfords and they dont fit either.

Are Torx the same as Star heads and which do I need for this bloomin mirror?

Thanks

No - However cannot advise which you need.

Useful link...

https://www.wiha.com/en/screw-head-types/

 

[Ken_R]

From memory, on the W203 door mirrors they are 5 pointed and have a centre 'pip' which means the head has to have a hollow centre.

Otherwise, there could be a problem with them 'going walkies' when parked and with the mirror folded.

 

[RickC]

From memory, on the W203 door mirrors they are 5 pointed and have a centre 'pip' which means the head has to have a hollow centre.

Otherwise, there could be a problem with them 'going walkies' when parked and with the mirror folded.

I think that 5 points not 6 is the problem. All the ones I tried were anti-tamper, but I didnt know about the variation ‘tween 5 and 6. Thanks

 

[Ken_R]

Hazy memory, but I think it was once mentioned on here that it is the same tool as for airbag removal on a VW. I did see a US site that was offering the [supposedly] correct tool but that was £30+.

In the end, I never bothered.

 

[RickC]

Hazy memory, but I think it was once mentioned on here that it is the same tool as for airbag removal on a VW. I did see a US site that was offering the [supposedly] correct tool but that was £30+.

In the end, I never bothered.

Think I will take the £20 Halfords Star set back too...

 

[Rappey69]

Useful link...

https://www.wiha.com/en/screw-head-types/

I,m very shocked that list missed out on a very common screw, the Japanese jis. this is common on so many motorbikes and lack of awareness would explain why so many people destroy their screw heads by using a Philips on them..
On a w203 don't you just remove a few screws from the inside of the door to remove the mirror?
I don't recall any problems at all when I removed mine...
I had major problems trying to replace the indicator lens though as didn't know it was just a matter of clicking a tab and the whole mirror cover slides off.

 

[RickC]

I,m very shocked that list missed out on a very common screw, the Japanese jis. this is common on so many motorbikes and lack of awareness would explain why so many people destroy their screw heads by using a Philips on them..
On a w203 don't you just remove a few screws from the inside of the door to remove the mirror?
I don't recall any problems at all when I removed mine...
I had major problems trying to replace the indicator lens though as didn't know it was just a matter of clicking a tab and the whole mirror cover slides off.

Thanks for the reply. These use 3 anti-tamper screws accessible from the outside of the vehicle. Good tip about Jis

 

[Ken_R]

On a w203 don't you just remove a few screws from the inside of the door to remove the mirror?
I don't recall any problems at all when I removed mine...

Was that with folding (retractable) or non-folding mirrors?

I had major problems trying to replace the indicator lens though as didn't know it was just a matter of clicking a tab and the whole mirror cover slides off.

Yea. Easy when you know how. Another reason not to leave the mirrors folded when parked.

I'd have to look again as to whether 5 or 6 pointed but, if 5, then this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tamper-Resistant-10-Bits-Corners-Star/dp/B0044UMELK

might be what is required.

 

[bob 6600]

They can be spline bits which are different to torx

 

[Rappey69]

Thanks for the reply. These use 3 anti-tamper screws accessible from the outside of the vehicle

Im sure you just pull off the plastic cover on the inside of the door, and there are 3 screws or bolts that are common, so easy to undue .
Electric folding mirrors...

 

[RickC]

Im sure you just pull off the plastic cover on the inside of the door, and there are 3 screws or bolts that are common, so easy to undue .
Electric folding mirrors...

Thats it! The plastic covers are a joy

 

[RickC]

They can be spline bits which are different to torx

How much harder can it get!

 

[rorywquin]

No.

I,m very shocked that list missed out on a very common screw, the Japanese jis. this is common on so many motorbikes and lack of awareness would explain why so many people destroy their screw heads by using a Philips on them..
On a w203 don't you just remove a few screws from the inside of the door to remove the mirror?
I don't recall any problems at all when I removed mine...
I had major problems trying to replace the indicator lens though as didn't know it was just a matter of clicking a tab and the whole mirror cover slides off.

Yep JIS is "Japanese Industry Standard" - there are probably many more types of slots / shapes out there but Whia is a good starting point!

 

[rorywquin]

Should have added above that JIS covers a lot more than fastener types....

 

[bob 6600]

How much harder can it get!

If you look at this listing, it shows both torx and spline bits for comparison

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BERGEN-H...346104?hash=item23a7e03cf8:g:RJcAAOSw7PFbdB7a

 

[umblecumbuz]

Don't recall any spline fixings on the 203. Sure it'll either be normal 6 star Torx, plus a few parts requiring 5 star.
The set above is what I eventually bought, aalong with a 90 deg angled set.

You can never have too many tools!

 

[RickC]

Thanks

If you look at this listing, it shows both torx and spline bits for comparison

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BERGEN-H...346104?hash=item23a7e03cf8:g:RJcAAOSw7PFbdB7a