Spark Plug Sockets

[Jrboulder]

My cheapo sp sockets don't seem to hold plugs anymore. I was just going to get some Protos to replace them with. Is there a 'must have' spark plug socket that I don't know about?

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

I really like the magnetic Gearwrench socket with the attached wobble extension.

 

[T45]

Watcha workin' on?

 

[Fedwrench]

the Gearwrench magnetic spark plug socket with attached extension.

 

[cpttuna]

where can you get one?

 

[mountain_man]

Advance auto near me stocks them,or amazon

 

[LB-1911]

where can you get one?

One source -
http://www.tooltopia.com/kd-tools-41730.aspx

 

[gdocktor3]

Another option is cripedistributing.com and buy USA made Kobalts (aka Williams) for cheap.

 

[md21722]

Matco has a 6 pc set that is an expanded version SPK6 $115.95:

https://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/SPK6/6PC-MAGNETIC-SPARK-PLUG-SERVIC/

 

[PJNJ]

I have both the magnetic Gearwrench set and the magnetic Duralast socket. They all work well. The GW attached wobble extensions are helpful with hard to reach plugs since the extension won't detach from the socket. The Duralast works well when you don't need an extension or don't want to use a wobble extension.

The GW set -
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NIEECO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Duralast -
http://www.autozone.com/test-scan-a...-in-drive-5-8-in-spark-plug-socket/482599_0_0

 

[Vantastic]

One source -
http://www.tooltopia.com/kd-tools-41730.aspx

I have these branded kd. I would recommend them.

 

[md21722]

I used a Duralast magnetic for a bit, thought it was a great value, but found it was too short for some plugs... I suppose the full length sockets may be too long in some applications...

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Another option is cripedistributing.com and buy USA made Kobalts (aka Williams) for cheap.

The USA Kobalt Spark Plug sockets Cripe has are from the Danaher era (Armstrong, Craftsman, KD, NAPA, Allen, etc). That said, I have all of the 3/8" sizes they offer (branded Kobalt and Allen) and they're great for being the classic rubber insert USA spark plug sockets. No complaints for any of them.

 

[vettex2]

I like impact swivel plug sockets. I use impact extensions so they can't fall off
(pins vs. ball retention)

 

[chrisnazzy]

Another vote for the magnetic w/ attached ball swivel extension. I've had the Matco (GW) version for 6 or 7 years now and they are great.

Mazda CX-9 3.7L, Accord F23A1, Pilot 3.5L, Seadoo and more Chevy V8's than I can remember. Using the socket with the longest extension plus another extension I've done several Chevy 5.7 and 5.3 plugs from the fenderwell area where space would have been limited and angles would have been awkward from inside the engine compartment. Plus it's nice to know the socket is always coming back with the extension.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[WWheeler]

Yep, luv these GearWrench magnetic spark plug swivels.

 

[Skin]

Matco has a 6 pc set that is an expanded version SPK6 $115.95:

https://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/SPK6/6PC-MAGNETIC-SPARK-PLUG-SERVIC/

Truck brand inflation is crazy. That set use to be less than $100 not that long ago.

 

[md21722]

Truck brand inflation is crazy. That set use to be less than $100 not that long ago.

Without knowing the OP's channel, I suggested it as an option... Old set was an SPK5 if IIRC... Don't know why you seem to continuously quote my posts in a contradictory fashion.

 

[Skin]

General statement, no contradiction. Its a good set just saying that only a few years ago it was roughly the same cost as the two GW sets. No vendetta or personal affront meant either, just general banter.

 

[Bagherra]

Luv my GW plug sockets...

 

[gdocktor3]

Why do they make impact spark plug sockets? A spark plug is one of the last things I would remove with any power tool.

 

[bert1913]

i have the 6" gearwrench swivel sockets and these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007MJK9MG/?tag=atomicindus08-20
(i hate the foam plug holders)

 

[General Geoff]

Koken ZEAL spark plugs.

They use spring clips to securely hold onto the plug, and have brass inserts where the ceramic contacts to help prevent cracking/shattering.

 

[T45]

^^ How much $$$$$









(those look sweet!)

 

[General Geoff]

A bit over $20 apiece from frankstools. He routinely has 10% off sales so you can probably get them for a bit less than $20 each during a sale.

http://frankstools.com/koken-zseries-tools.html

They make 12-point 14 and 16mm ones too, for certain newer vehicles that use 12 point spark plugs.

 

[Bagherra]

Why do they make impact spark plug sockets? A spark plug is one of the last things I would remove with any power tool.

yeah...why would anybody use an impact SPS???

 

[M6erfan]

A lot of love for Gearwrench here. I'll buck the tide on that and tell you that I sold mine. I found them to be pretty thick and there was at least one application where the GW socket would not fit in the SP well.

I went Koken and never looked back...

 

[Bighead38]

I've heard of guys using an impact on the ford motors that were notorious for stuck spark plugs.

 

[snowpro90]

Koken ZEAL spark plugs.

They use spring clips to securely hold onto the plug, and have brass inserts where the ceramic contacts to help prevent cracking/shattering.

Nice set...Are those 3/8" drive?

 

[General Geoff]

Yes, 3/8" drive. The one marked "20.8" is a 13/16". The 16mm is also for 5/8" plugs.

 

[bwringer]

Koken ZEAL spark plugs.

They use spring clips to securely hold onto the plug, and have brass inserts where the ceramic contacts to help prevent cracking/shattering.

OK, well, geez. I guess you win. Those Kokens are about as **** as spark plug sockets can get.



I've been very happy with a nice magnetic set I got at a motorcycle shoppe. I think they were "Bikemaster" brand. Made in Taiwan. Magnets are ten times more convenient than sockets with those damn rubber sleeves (just glance inside before using to make sure nothing's stuck to the magnet). Plus, they're as skinny as possible -- many motorcycles have very tight spark plug wells and normal spark plug sockets won't fit.

 

[vettex2]

Why do they make impact spark plug sockets? A spark plug is one of the last things I would remove with any power tool.

because they use pins for retention, not balls

I like the new sets they are selling now.
I can do virtually the same with swivel impacts and extensions though.
If they had made those way back when, I probably would have bought the newer fancy sets too.

 

[Gmonkee]

Generic parts store things with a piece of heater hose replacing the original rubber insert.

Or in the OP's case the one he already has with heater hose inserted. It holds the plug without getting sticky like the original rubber does.

The Koken are much nicer however. But tune up customers don't care what gets used, just that it was done right.

 

[T45]

If you have a good socket or set already, snap on will sell you their inserts (a-la-carte) for under $5/ea bucks shipped.

You could re-do a whole set of 16/18/20.6 for under $20. Something to keep in mind if you are on a budget and the actual sockets you have are decent/work fine for you.

All that aside, I'm a big fan of getting a specific fitment for your application.

 

[bpjr]

the Gearwrench magnetic spark plug socket with attached extension.

+2 on the Gearwrench magnetic spark plug socket with swivel. This is a must have to me. I think it was around $12 at the parts house.

 

[Mr. Tool]

Have all of these spark plug sockets from Koken and they are excellent....and well just about any tool from Koken is TOTL in my book.

Koken ZEAL spark plugs.

They use spring clips to securely hold onto the plug, and have brass inserts where the ceramic contacts to help prevent cracking/shattering.

 

[TorKe]

Best sockets for an LT1 engine with headers?

 

[KM223]

If you have a good socket or set already, snap on will sell you their inserts (a-la-carte) for under $5/ea bucks shipped.

You could re-do a whole set of 16/18/20.6 for under $20. Something to keep in mind if you are on a budget and the actual sockets you have are decent/work fine for you.

All that aside, I'm a big fan of getting a specific fitment for your application.

Totally agree with the Snap On inserts. I was doing that for awhile and it works. But not all applications. I found that for Porsche (mainly the Cayenne V8 and 997 GT3) the wall of a standard deep was just to thick. I eventually had to bite the bullet and get the proper sockets.

 

[Mr. Tool]

Also have these from Koken as well...work just as good!

(if Koken isn't for you or just out of your price range then you can always pick up one of these http://www.autozone.com/test-scan-a...agnetic-t-handle-spark-plug-socket/965839_0_0 from Autozone. I have one of these as well, slightly different but still the same and works great too!)

 

[Mr. Tool]

And since we're on the subject of spark plug sockets you may also want to consider the importance of torque spec's when re-installing spark plugs back in your engine?

Koken also makes excellent spark plug torque wrenches specifically for this.

I have these two as well by Koken...http://www.kokenusa.com/products/product/152

Also Koken has a small set combo too....http://www.kokenusa.com/products/model/1201