Tune Up Problem!

[Rayz2000Sport]

OK, so I get up early this morning and start my tune up. Figure I will beat the heat, it was about 80 at 7 or so. I started with the plug closest to the firewall on the pass side. Heard it was a problem so figured I would start there. After much effort, my flexible elbow socket failed in spectacular fashion(exploded). I finally got the plug out and went on. I did the plug closest to the front on the pass side and all three on the driver side.

Missing one right? There in lies the problem. My flexible elbow is broken and I have the middle plug on the pass side starring me in the face. My hands are so big I am not even sure I can slip the wire off the plug and I know without an elbow I have no shot at removing/replacing the spark plug.

So, since it is blazing hot outside, I buttoned everything back up and called it a day. I have five new plugs and wires going and one of the old. Started up fine, but did not take it for a drive.

Question is..... anyone have some helpful tips on getting to that damn plug!!!!?? Should there be any problem running how I am now (five new one old)? Anyone in the Essex MD area that could help!!?? haha

Seriously, any help that can be offered will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Kyle

 

[Pensa]

I used a 3/8 drive and wobble extensions and didn't have much trouble getting any of the plugs out.

Did you go through the wheel well on the passenger side? That is the easiest way to get to the plugs on that side.

 

[Rayz2000Sport]

I completly removed the wheel well and it was still insanly tight on that plug. Most other plugs were pretty easy, except my sparkplug socket kept getting stuck on the new plugs after I tightened them down.

 

[Rayz2000Sport]

What size wobble extension did you use for that plug?

 

[Rayz2000Sport]

As it stands, I did the other five plugs with just a few short extensions (not wobble) and a medium (maybe 6 inch, not wobble)

 

[Rayz2000Sport]

What I ended up doing after the elbow blew up was getting the spark plug socket on the plug, then using a 3/4 socket on the spark socket. Worked well, just at a sticking point now.

 

[Pensa]

I have a set of wobble extensions and used different ones on different plugs. I don't remember which one I used on any one plug.

Autozone sells a set of them and they aren't that expensive, as I recall they were $11 for a set of four.

 

[Rayz2000Sport]

I have a set of wobble extensions and used different ones on different plugs. I don't remember which one I used on any one plug.

Autozone sells a set of them and they aren't that expensive, as I recall they were $11 for a set of four.

OK, I will pick up a set when I am out. Still wondering how I am going to be able to get the plug wire on and off in such a tight space.

 

[Pensa]

Getting the plug wire off the plug can be harder than changing the plug if you aren't planning on changing the plug wires wires. If you are changing the plug wires and aren't worried about ruining the old wires just use a pair of slip joint pliers, they work great.

Just twist then pull and they pop off.

 

[Rayz2000Sport]

Getting the plug wire off the plug can be harder than changing the plug if you aren't planning on changing the plug wires wires. If you are changing the plug wires and aren't worried about ruining the old wires just use a pair of slip joint pliers, they work great.

Just twist then pull and they pop off.

Noted. But the problem of getting the new plug wire on still exists. Once again having big hands proves to be a liability. haha I can sure as hell shake hands well though.

 

[Rayz2000Sport]

Went out yesterday and got a set of Wobble extensions (1.5,3,6,10 inch) for like 12 bucks at Autozone and I also picked up a rachet that has the lock (ie you have to push a button to remove the socket).

Got up early this morning, after some grunting and groaning was able to get the old plug wire off. Once I did I realized that it was a good thing that I got the wobble extension, not for the wobble feature but because a 1.5 extension was the perfect size to get at the plug. The "Push button" (lack of a better term) came in handy for getting the spark socket not to stick. Replaced it with the new plug and got to the part I was dreading. The new plug wire. I knew when I was taking the old one off, that if it got messed up it didnt matter, but with the new one I had to be careful. To my suprise it went on and clicked pretty easily. Buttoned everything up and went for a short drive, pretty good results.

I guess there should be a good diff when the person that had the truck before you never changed the plugs or wires and the truck is at 78 thousand miles! haha.

 

[Pensa]

I don't know how long the plugs had been in mine, but they had rust on the outside and the gaps were way wider than they should have been when I pulled them.

The new plugs improved my gas mileage and the truck ran smoother.

You got the same set of wobble extensions I did. I also bought the 3/8 torque wrench. It works as a ratchet as well as being a torque wrench, Very handy for replacing the plugs and tightening them down properly. It measures in inch pounds, but just multiply by 12 and you convert inch pounds to foot pounds.

 

[Rayz2000Sport]

I also bought the 3/8 torque wrench. It works as a ratchet as well as being a torque wrench, Very handy for replacing the plugs and tightening them down properly. It measures in inch pounds, but just multiply by 12 and you convert inch pounds to foot pounds.

How much did the 3/8 torque wrench cost?

 

[98xploder]

fyi, if anyone's in a bind, its not hard to make wobble extensions. i made a set with my bench grinder. you just round the top and the bottom of the squared part, and voila!