Any spark plug sockets that don't ****?

[Ron_J]

Many moons ago I bought a "good" plug socket. I got tired of the rubber grommet coming out of the socket and sticking on the plug, so I started just using a rubber hose.

I had to pick up a couple things at harbor freight over the weekend and as I walked by the sockets, I saw the plug sockets. Not sure why, but I picked one up. Well, after about the 4th plug, the grommet started sticking to the plug. I had to add a little grease to it almost every time.

I know HF isn't exactly known for their high end tools, but I had the same experience with one that was supposed to be better.

Anyone had any luck with these sockets? I'm about to go back to the rubber hose trick.

 

[jgromada]

I am not a fan of any of the Spark Plug sockets with the rubber grommet. At some point the rubber will wear out.

I ended up getting a magnetic socket. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MSPBKG5/?tag=atomicindus08-20 Just a suggestion.

 

[noid]

+1 go magnetic, forget rubber.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I use my old Craftsman USA ones mostly and haven’t ever had the boot come out. I have many spark plug sockets between work and home and the Craftsman are my favorite I also have a Kobalt set that is really nice and has worked fine. I have some no name ones that the boot always comes out of so what I do is take the boot out put super glue on the bottoms and press it back down in there it has worked good too since then.


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[cmandp]

I bought a Gearwrench magnetic socket with built in swivel extension. Works great for OHC engines with deep spark plug wells.

 

[jgromada]

I bought a Gearwrench magnetic socket with built in swivel extension. Works great for OHC engines with deep spark plug wells.

I had considered those but decided not since i had a bad Gearwrench experience recently. I really didn't like the idea of a built in swivel extension. I worked on someone's Saturn V-6 recently and the added length would have been a show stopper.

I really like the idea of Locking extensions. I have had issues in the past where spark plug socket gets stuck on the plug & the locking extensions eliminate that problem.

 

[stonesfan68]

The Gearwrench magnetic spark plug sockets work well and the built-in extension is useful in many cases, but not always. There are several brands that offer a magnetic socket, or you can look at the major tool brands like Snap-on, SK, Mac, Matco.

 

[Chevy-SS]

Magnetic ones work good. For the rubber ones, I have epoxied the rubber into the socket and that holds it. And I have some where the rubber has fallen out and I just leave it out. I guess it all depends on the situation as to which one I use.

I've been wrenching on engines for ~50 years and still don't have a plug socket with the flex, but that does look nice. A flex is rarely needed, but I can see some cases where it might be handy. It looks like it might be prone to breaking plugs (cracking the ceramic) though if you're not careful.

I do like the rubber hose trick for starting the plugs into the holes. This helps prevent cross-threading.

 

[cmandp]

I had considered those but decided not since i had a bad Gearwrench experience recently. I really didn't like the idea of a built in swivel extension. I worked on someone's Saturn V-6 recently and the added length would have been a show stopper.

I really like the idea of Locking extensions. I have had issues in the past where spark plug socket gets stuck on the plug & the locking extensions eliminate that problem.

I only bought the one socket but quality is good and the magnet works perfectly. Funny I bought it to work on my wife's L300 with the 3.0L V6. Not sure about the Vue or other Saturns that may have less room between the back 3 plugs and the firewall.

I have locking extensions too and yes for regular spark plug sockets they really save a lot of frustration if the socket gets stuck to the plug. That's the other nice thing about magnetic sockets and ones with a built in extension; the extension is locked to the socket.

 

[richfinn]

Ko-Ken have a really good selection of spark plug sockets in virtually any configuration you want

 

[Two Speed]

I had considered those but decided not since i had a bad Gearwrench experience recently. I really didn't like the idea of a built in swivel extension. I worked on someone's Saturn V-6 recently and the added length would have been a show stopper.

They are available with various extension lengths. Buy the one that suits your needs. A few different brands to choose from as well if gearwrench leaves you sour.
I bought two. One with built in extension for my ford (works great) and just a socket for my chevy's where an extension would also be a show stopper. Won't be going back to rubber.

Alex.

 

[pbon]

I can’t use built in extension since the 6th plug is under the cowl on my inline 6 BMWs. I’d rather add my own extension so I can choose the length when space limits change.

 

[Jagmandave]

I've been wrenching on engines for ~50 years and still don't have a plug socket with the flex, but that does look nice. A flex is rarely needed, but I can see some cases where it might be handy. It looks like it might be prone to breaking plugs (cracking the ceramic) though if you're not careful.

I always use one of those extensions with the ball end when changing plugs, using a straight extension I have frequently broken plugs, with the ball it allows enough flex that when it breaks loose I don't break the plug.

OTOH, I just about can't think of a time any more where if I'm taking them out I'm not replacing them....so if I do break one it's not really an issue.

 

[qqzj]

The swivel feature is very useful typically. If the length is a problem, you can find on Amazon some magnetic ones with a super short swivel extension

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[unslow1]

I have the Gearwrench ones and they work fine but the extension is not always wanted. I also have a few from the tool trucks but the ones I usually used are from Autozone. They are the magnetic without the attached extension.

 

[LeeG]

Astro Pneumatic makes a set of magnetic spark plug sockets that are pretty nice.

https://www.astrotools.com/magnetic-spark-plug-universal-extension-socket-set.html

 

[visionguru]

Gearwrench

The swivel extension helps A LOT when there are lots obstructions, such as the rear bank of a V6 engine.

 

[Formerjeeper]

Astro Pneumatic makes a set of magnetic spark plug sockets that are pretty nice.

https://www.astrotools.com/magnetic-spark-plug-universal-extension-socket-set.html

Agreed, recently bought these on Amazon, very happy.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Koken is where it's at. Magnetic is infinitely better than the stupid rubber grommets. I have a few generic magnetic ones and the gearwrench set with the built in extensions, all work well.

 

[Wakefield]

Koken is where it's at. Magnetic is infinitely better than the stupid rubber grommets. I have a few generic magnetic ones and the gearwrench set with the built in extensions, all work well.

Does KoKen have a double jointed one ?
Snap On double jointed one,"don't leave home without it" ? when Craftsman just wouldn't do

 

[Mr_B]

koken and astro do great design plug sockets .

few other gems but lot of the magnetic ones are junk and a quality rubber one actually better at avoiding issues .

 

[Ron_J]

Thanks for the info all. I'll check into the magnetic ones.

 

[Wakefield]

depends on how tough the vehicle is
1950 Pontiac or Plymouth,right up on top for you
Chev. Citation,Jeep V8 not so easy the back ones

 

[M6erfan]

+1 on the Ko-ken SP sockets. They're all I use anymore. I gave my GW spark plug set away and never looked back.

 

[Ign]

I bought a Gearwrench magnetic socket with built in swivel extension. Works great for OHC engines with deep spark plug wells.

Yep, even though I was just bashing GW in another thread I was also going to recommend this. It's virtually required on the '09-ish+ Rams and I just used it on a '99 XJ. Even though swivel really wasn't required for the XJ it was still more help than hindrance for the job

 

[Ralf11]

I use Snappy - lots of options and used are common

 

[Negen]

I also use the koken spark plug sockets. I use the zeal magnet ones but no built in swivel. If I read the catalog correctly they seem to make one magnetic sparkplug socket with built in swivel.

14 mm 3345p swivel socket with magnet
3305pz 14mm, 16mm zeal socket with magnet

3305p 14mm,16mm socket with magnet
3305-250mm,14mm extension with magnet




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[2ndGearRubber]

Does KoKen have a double jointed one ?
Snap On double jointed one,"don't leave home without it" ? when Craftsman just wouldn't do

Koken offers just the socket. You could put their double universal on it though.

 

[DerekV]

I use my old Craftsman USA ones mostly and haven’t ever had the boot come out. I have many spark plug sockets between work and home and the Craftsman are my favorite I also have a Kobalt set that is really nice and has worked fine. I have some no name ones that the boot always comes out of so what I do is take the boot out put super glue on the bottoms and press it back down in there it has worked good too since then.


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+1

I’ve also had excellent luck with my USA Craftsman’s. I have, however, used other ones that’ve had the rubber pop out. The ol Craftsman’s just keep working like they should. They’re great with locking extensions.

 

[dthor68]

The Gearwrench with the swivel extension is the best one I have ever used, by far. You can get one at any Advance Auto.

 

[bubinga]

I like my Gearwrench set.
It has a magnet to hold the plug in the socket.
They are swivel sockets, with an extension built on to them.
that's the same set I have, it came with 2 sockets, and a flex head ratchet.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

+1

I’ve also had excellent luck with my USA Craftsman’s. I have, however, used other ones that’ve had the rubber pop out. The ol Craftsman’s just keep working like they should. They’re great with locking extensions.

I agree totally


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[bubinga]

I am not a fan of any of the Spark Plug sockets with the rubber grommet. At some point the rubber will wear out.

I ended up getting a magnetic socket. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MSPBKG5/?tag=atomicindus08-20 Just a suggestion.

Reasonably Priced Too!!

 

[richfinn]

https://www.uktools.com/16mm-38drive-70mm-long-spark-splug-socket-with-spring-clip.html

If you look carefully at the Ko-Ken design, the spring clip actually holds the metal hex part of the spark plug and a brass insert supports and protects the insulated portion

This avoids the rubber insert wearing out and avoids the magnet attracting debris which could potentially crack the insulator!!!

I have a really old one in my truck, works great

 

[Negen]

I have these too and work good too. Work nice on marine motors that have tighter spaces.

https://www.uktools.com/16mm-38drive-70mm-long-spark-splug-socket-with-spring-clip.html

If you look carefully at the Ko-Ken design, the spring clip actually holds the metal hex part of the spark plug and a brass insert supports and protects the insulated portion

This avoids the rubber insert wearing out and avoids the magnet attracting debris which could potentially crack the insulator!!!

I have a really old one in my truck, works great

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[Fedwrench]

I think Gearwrench with the built in extensions, the OEM Tools magnetic, and KOKEN are outstanding. The more knurling the better I also like JTC Tools' plug sockets.

I hate the Snap on kind with the taper lock design. When I want the socket to release it doesn't, and when I want the socket to hold, the plug falls to the floor

 

[poppakap]

Snap on with a swivel and the taper inside instead of rubber

 

[Qualitytools]

+++++1 for Koken. Check out their selection with magnets as well as clips. Koken and you will not regret it.

 

[Lassen Forge]

I knocked the gearwrench mag sockets until I tried them.

They really DID come up with a great idea... that works.

YMMV, Kokens are great, S/O's rock, Even the flying V Craftsmans with the dreaded foamy inserts work, but you need to find what YOU like. Each have their plusses and minuses... I like my Gearwrench ones, but that just means that's just what I like.

 

[lethal-6]

I would also recommend the gearwrench set. Otherwise look at the other options snap on, vim and others. The magnetic ones are great for the deep ones.