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Another spark plug socket post

atikovi

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 14, 2009
Messages
2,040
Location
Suburban Washington DC
Been using a Craftsman socket with attached u-joint for years.

Problems:
1) Rubber insert makes putting the socket on the plug (in car) difficult, i.e. it takes a lot of force to press it down enough for the hex to engage the plug. Real pain if access is poor.
2) Rubber insert makes pulling the socket off the plug difficult and even with a locking extension the socket my detach from said extension deep inside the plug well.
3) U-joint is floppy so you can’t have the socket straight on the extension as you try to get it on an inaccessible plug.

Do the magnetic sockets solve the rubber insert issues? Is this Gearwrench 5/8 set a good choice? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NIEECO/?tag=atomicindus08-20
 
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blackwire

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 18, 2014
Messages
336
I have the Gearwrench spark plug socket. It works pretty well. If you want to see them in person, Advance auto parts has them.
 

Power Sedan

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 15, 2015
Messages
287
Location
SE Wisconsin
I purchased the 6 inch swivel from Gear Wrench, and couldn't of been happier! Just utilized it two weeks ago on a SRT6, to change out 12 plugs. I can say, the 4" would of worked well in certain locations because od obstructions.
 

md21722

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 30, 2015
Messages
1,840
Location
Mt Juliet, TN
I strongly prefer magnetic to Craftsman rubber. My first magnetic was a cheap one from Auto Zone but it wasn't long enough to clear some plugs, so I bought one from Snappy.
 

oh1ws6

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 6, 2013
Messages
51
Location
Georgia
Matco spk5. This is the set to have. We use them every day at a professional shop and have had them for years now.
 
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M6erfan

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 6, 2014
Messages
10,170
Location
'Merica!
Gearwrench magnetic are good, I've used them with no issues. My favorites are made by Koken and utilize a spring clip. IMO they are superior to magnetic or rubber insert...
 

Sommech7498

Well-known member
Joined
May 20, 2016
Messages
71
I have the Matco versions of those gearwrench and they are awesome. One of the few real gems matco has IMO. But the gearwrench are gonna be the same thing so Inless you have a matco guy that you really like I'd get the gearwrench. Magnetic is the only way to go for spark plugs regardless of if it has the swivel/extension on it but I really really like having the swivel and extension already on there
 

General Geoff

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 12, 2013
Messages
3,879
Location
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Like M6erfan, I like the Koken ZEAL clip style. Very slim, lots of clearance in tight plug wells. The clips provide for very positive feel when they grab and let go of a plug.

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