Spark plug sockets

[TheAngryDog]

Whenever I have fitted spark plugs to cars in the past, if they havent been located "on an angle" like the old OHC Vauxhall engines, they've always fallen out of the socket as I put it down the plug bore (twin cam engines etc).

Is there any way to prevent this? Or is it just a fact of life? I am trying to avoid breaking the ceramic and the core as I know it can sometimes happen.

Thanks.

[Penelope Stopit]

Are you taking the P. Spark plug sockets have a rubber tube inserted in them to prevent this from happening

[TheAngryDog]

Penelope Stopit said:

Are you taking the P. Spark plug sockets have a rubber tube inserted in them to prevent this from happening

Clearly the ones I have dont have this then! Time to get a new socket!

Thanks for your non sarcastic reply. This is PH after all.

[Penelope Stopit]

My pleasure

[mygoldfishbowl]

I use a magnetic pick up tool similar to this. Get half a turn on the spark plug thread in the hole then remove the tool, cheaper than purpose built sockets so I just use my long reach hex sockets instead.

[paintman]

Length of rubber tube of appropriate bore to fit the lead end of the plug.
Insert plug into tube.
Offer plug up to plughole.
Turn rubber hose to start the plug - avoids risk of crossthreading as the tube will just slip if that's the case.
Once the plug has started into the thread remove rubber tube.
Tighten up with a plug socket.

Plug removal is reverse of above.

Or buy plug sockets with the rubber insert (Although the rubber inserts went missing from two of my plug sockets years ago & I've used the tube method ever since)

Edited by paintman on Thursday 14th May 23:40

[TheAngryDog]

Cheers guys, its nice to see that I arent the only one!

[Mr2Mike]

If there's one complaint I have about my Halfords Pro socket set, it's that the rubber insert in the spark plug sockets grips the plug too tightly. This means that after installing a new set of plugs, you are left with a ratchet and extension in your hand and the socket firmly attached to the plug. The better spark plug sockets use a magnet to retain the plug.

[voicey]

Mr2Mike said:

If there's one complaint I have about my Halfords Pro socket set, it's that the rubber insert in the spark plug sockets grips the plug too tightly. This means that after installing a new set of plugs, you are left with a ratchet and extension in your hand and the socket firmly attached to the plug. The better spark plug sockets use a magnet to retain the plug.

You need a locking extension bar. It's like a regular extension bar but with a button to release the socket - unless the button is pressed, the socket wont come off the end.

[Mr2Mike]

voicey said:

You need a locking extension bar. It's like a regular extension bar but with a button to release the socket - unless the button is pressed, the socket wont come off the end.

I do own some locking extensions, though they are all 1/2" drive and I've yet to see a 3/8" wobble drive that includes a lock (and a wobble drive is needed on many modern cars). If they exist I'd love to know where I can get them as they would be extremely useful.

Edited by Mr2Mike on Friday 15th May 16:07

[buzzer]

I use one of this in the link below, very useful for other things as well. Just lower the plug gently into the hole, then use the socket. advantage is that it can be used for any size plug, any hole, and is also great for removing the old plug first!

cheap as chips, and next time you drop that bolt down by the hot exhaust you will reach for it!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Flexible-Claw-Pick-Up-Tool...

[rich83]

Get a magnetic spark plug socket. You'll wonder how you coped without one

[Athlon]

paintman said:

Length of rubber tube of appropriate bore to fit the lead end of the plug.
Insert plug into tube.
Offer plug up to plughole.
Turn rubber hose to start the plug - avoids risk of crossthreading as the tube will just slip if that's the case.
Once the plug has started into the thread remove rubber tube.
Tighten up with a plug socket.

Plug removal is reverse of above.

Or buy plug sockets with the rubber insert (Although the rubber inserts went missing from two of my plug sockets years ago & I've used the tube method ever since)

Edited by paintman on Thursday 14th May 23:40

This. 3/8th fuel pipe is perfect, there is no better way to fit plugs.

[Krikkit]

Mr2Mike said:

voicey said:

You need a locking extension bar. It's like a regular extension bar but with a button to release the socket - unless the button is pressed, the socket wont come off the end.

I do own some locking extensions, though they are all 1/2" drive and I've yet to see a 3/8" wobble drive that includes a lock (and a wobble drive is needed on many modern cars). If they exist I'd love to know where I can get them as they would be extremely useful.

Edited by Mr2Mike on Friday 15th May 16:07

3/8 locker with a knuckle rather than wobble, best of both worlds...

[TheAngryDog]

I've ordered a new plug socket. Failing that then I'll go get some 3/8 fuel hose and use that!

Cheers.

[rich83]

Whats wrong with the magnetic ones? I couldn't be bother faffing about with fuel hose etc.

[paintman]

No 'faffing about' involved. Magnets are fine for picking things up & I have several incl the telescopic variety but you aren't going to be able to start a plug into the thread in an awkward to get at deep pocket with a magnet.

[Mr2Mike]

paintman said:

No 'faffing about' involved. Magnets are fine for picking things up & I have several incl the telescopic variety but you aren't going to be able to start a plug into the thread in an awkward to get at deep pocket with a magnet.

I think you've misunderstood. Rich is talking about spark plug sockets that use an integral magnet to retain the spark plug instead of the bit of rubber stuffed up the middle. They are better because you can pull them of the spark plug without your 3/8" drive pulling out of the socket first.

Krikkit said:

3/8 locker with a knuckle rather than wobble, best of both worlds...

Provided you can find a 3/8" universal joint that includes a locking mechanism...

[rich83]

Exactly Mike



Means you can start the plugs of by hand with no wrench too, so chances of threading the head is pretty much zero. I wouldnt even try to to plugs without one.

Edited by rich83 on Wednesday 20th May 18:28

[paintman]

Mr2Mike said:

paintman said:

No 'faffing about' involved. Magnets are fine for picking things up & I have several incl the telescopic variety but you aren't going to be able to start a plug into the thread in an awkward to get at deep pocket with a magnet.

I think you've misunderstood. Rich is talking about spark plug sockets that use an integral magnet to retain the spark plug instead of the bit of rubber stuffed up the middle. They are better because you can pull them of the spark plug without your 3/8" drive pulling out of the socket first.

You're right. I hadn't seen those.