Changing spark plugs...Help?!

[Wray-Wray]

I understand that, but I'm still trying to understand how a wobble extension can cause thread damage. It's just a way to help you reach the plug in the first place to get it out and to tighten it down once hand tightened. Am I missing something?

yes ur missing the point(not trying to sound like an ass sorry) that most people try and use the wobble extension 2 tread on the plugs or other bolts n such(when they are new to mechanics) and the cross thread ****(and or strip threads).....like jackal just said....

u on the other hand understand that **** should be hand tight first(which im in no way insulting you....itz a good thing you think that way....i've fixed alot of air-head mistakes).....

the reason they can strip threads is because......you may have the ratchet straight but the play in the wobble or swivel extension can cause the plug or bolt to be slightly ****ed(meaning miss-a-lined) causing a plug or bolt to strip out and or cross thread when putting plugs or bolts inn....

 

[celly]

yes ur missing the point(not trying to sound like an ass sorry) that most people try and use the wobble extension 2 tread on the plugs or other bolts n such(when they are new to mechanics) and the cross thread ****(and or strip threads).....like jackal just said....

u on the other hand understand that **** should be hand tight first(which im in no way insulting you....itz a good thing you think that way....i've fixed alot of air-head mistakes).....

the reason they can strip threads is because......you may have the ratchet straight but the play in the wobble or swivel extension can cause the plug or bolt to be slightly ****ed(meaning miss-a-lined) causing a plug or bolt to strip out and or cross thread when putting plugs or bolts inn....

I was "missing the point" because you seemed to imply that removing spark plugs with a wobble extension can cause the threads to get damaged. My original post was about how easy it was to gain access to spark plugs on the 5.0 by removing the side skirts and gaining access to the plugs with a wobble extension (after you said how difficult it was to change plugs on the 5.0). I simply couldn't see damage being done to the plugs by my method. Then you followed up with some sort of discussion of a swivel and how your buddies strip out plugs. I made no mention of a swivel in my original reply. Yes, Jackal clarified what you were getting at, but your original assessments of why a wobble could cause a problem with spark plug removal was clear as mud.

Much clearer now. It was implied that I installed the plugs by hand and then tightened slightly with the socket (how techieman33 taught me to do it while in Kansas this past summer).

 

[the.cats.pajamas]

can someone please explain how to get the f*cking plug boot offf of the plug. why is it so tight ive done this on 5 other vehicles and its easy. is there a special pinch or do i jsut pull as hard as i can

 

[Electrohacker]

pull as hard as you can, you might have to cut it off with a knife if its corroded in place

 

[DanaM]

Followed the thread, took the wheel off on the passenger side, and the wheel well cover, plugs were pretty worn, wires were factory. New set of MC plugs and wires. First time ever changing the plugs and wires on any car. New PCV valve, Fuel Filter, and 5w30 Mobil 1 synthetic while I was at it. I am a computer guy, can build an American made mother board with good old USA processors and ram and video, hot rod computer in 30 minutes or less and now, it looks like I can tune up an Ex in 60 to 90 minutes. This board rocks!

D a n a

D a n a

 

[RoyKelly2]

HUH?

I am arguably the worst mechanic on this board. I had never done spark plugs on ANY vehicle in my life until this week and did so on my '99 EB w/ 5.0. It was dead easy. I just used a 3/8" socket, a long wobble extension and a 5/8" deep spark plug socket. I had all plugs in and out in about 45 minutes, including anti-seize and dielectric grease. I could do them in about 30 minutes now that I know what I'm doing. The key is removing the soft side skirts from the wheel wells. Pretty much all 8 plugs stare you in the face when you take the skirts off.

Yeah I see them on my 1997 5.0L XLT. The boot are like super glued on. The way the boots are and the wear on the plugs makes it seem like this is the first time they have ever been changed

 

[Pete Deering]

I started changing the plugs on my '01 Sport yesturday. The boots were stuck on so bad that one of the wires/boots actually seperated trying to pull the boot off the plug. So now Im changing plugs and wires, which is fine. I finished the driver side and now went to tackle the passenger side this morning. There is less room than my old LT1 camaro had. How am I suppose to get to the plugs on the passenger side? The farther back you go the worse it gets. Any tips or tricks? What is all needed/involved?

Aaron

You should always replace the plug wire. They then too leak to the engine. If the plugs have 100k ( ford replacement guide lines). Use dielectric grease. I also access the spark plug from the wheel wells ( liners and wheels remored).