Favorite spark plug tools

[rick carpenter]

What type are y'all's favorites? Bent ratchet, regular ratchet, t-handle universal drive all-in-one, or speeder drive? Astro seems to get good press here for their extensions + universal sockets. If this type is the most recommended, what length do I need for a Tacoma v6?

 

[Terra Nova]

The GearWrench 6" magnetic swivel socket was a game changer for doing plugs on my 5.7 Hemi.

Otherwise I prefer a bent flex head 3/8 ratchet and traditional spark plug socket.

 

[qqzj]

I am rarely impressed by a tool. But that GearWrench one truly opened my eyes and I pitied those guys on YouTube teaching how to use hose/paper towel/whatever to get it done. That was many years ago. Now you have many more options.

Show off your GearWrench tools!

Let's do this differently. Each post has this format so we know how many GW tools you have and whether you are a pro or home warrior. For example: John HW 10. John is a home warrior with 10 GW tools so far. Joe Pro 20. Joe is a professional with 20 GW tools. I am going to try to get to top 10...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[cjarvis]

I bought a 10 inch spark plug swivel socket extension to use on my 2010 1GRFE. I use it with a 3/8 Drive ratchet. You’ll also need a quarter inch drive 10 mm ratchet and socket to disconnect the coils from the valve covers. That’s really about all you’ll need to do spark plugs on a Tacoma.

LEXIVON 5/8" Swivel Magnetic Spark Plug Socket, 3/8" Drive x 10" Total Length | Enhanced Magnetic Design With Thin Wall Socket, Cr-v Steel (LX-122) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MH5ZDMD/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[71firebird400]

Ko-Ken spark plug sockets have replaced all the others in my toolbox.

 

[Lassen Forge]

I hate to say it... My Lisle 65600,,, if you've ever dealt with a Ford Triton, you'll understand...

https://www.lislecorp.com/specialty-tools/broken-plug-remover-for-ford-3-valve

 

[RTM]

Back when I was the guy who helped all his friends with their car work (late 70s early 80s), I had Grampa's Champion Flex head ratchet CT-405 with a finger spinner, a 3" extension, and a Champion Plug Master socket CT-407 stuck on it. With just that, I could do 90% of spark plugs. A '68 Mustang GT with a 390 required a set up with 2 swivels and 3 extension, or so the professional mechanic told me. I could not reach the driver's rear plug with everything I owned back then (1 swivel, and 1 extra 6" extension.

I have not changed nearly as many plugs since them, but I think that same rig would work fine on my '06 Tacoma, 4.0 V6, as I have a mechanic change them now.

 

[Dave455]

I love the KoKen sockets.

Tried a few others but these seem to work about the best. The spring clips are superbly designed, hold the plug perfectly, and there’s a bushing that protects the insulator. I’d never go back to the type with the rubber insert.

KoKen also offer ”extended” sockets, with an integrated extension, so you pull the socket off the plug not the extension off the socket. These are my “go to”.

Universal sockets are also available. I’ve got a couple of these if needed (and one for injectors too).

Don’t know why these makers insist on giving metric equivalents for plugs that we all know are 5/8 or 13/16 though..!

 

[02camaro86]

Extra long snap on 1/4 converted to 3/8 with a snap on flex Socket. I don't like the universal joint ones they seem to wind up on themselves when you apply torque at angles. The ball and pin style seem to work alot better for me.

 

[Neggy]

FSX620 5/8" snap on like the one in the picture above but 3/8 drive

FSX626 was the 13/16 version

I don't think they are made anymore

 

[Sumboodie]

Been a long time that I've changed plugs other than on a small engine.

 

[WWheeler]

+1 for GearWrench magnetic swivel sparkplug sockets.

Spend ten minutes trying to fish out your spark plug socket with that empty-ended extension whose detent-ball was no match for the suction of the socket's rubber boot that stayed stuck on that hardest to reach recessed plug, because of course it's always THAT plug, and you'll know that life is too short not to have a set of these.

 

[sparky 1971]

Bent handle flex head ratchet, locking extension, and a U-joint spark plug socket with the rubber inside. I've never tried the magnetic style/

 

[AJHD]

I have both the Gearwrench and Astro magnetic swivel sets. Plus a few standard non-magnetic/non-swivel sockets.
I also have a long and short 14mm Snap On (not pictured), that are not swivel or magnetic.

So I can handle just about any spark plug situation I might come across (hopefully).

 

[rick carpenter]

I have both the Gearwrench and Astro magnetic swivel sets. Plus a few standard non-magnetic/non-swivel sockets.
I also have a long and short 14mm Snap On (not pictured), that are not swivel or magnetic.

So I can handle just about any spark plug situation I might come across (hopefully).

Which do you prefer? I've read very good reviews/comments here about both. The GW is 11" and the Astro is 10", but I need some locking extensions anyhow so the difference in length may not matter that much. (Yeah, I can hear The Office jokes...)

 

[kelpaso1]

SO bent handle, flex head. Only ratchet I have used for 40 years.

 

[JradM]

I bought this Proto set recently:



They are beautiful in person. Jewelry-like. It was a purchase based on coaxing myself to go swap the plugs on my F150 (the back ones are a real PITA). It worked! I was motivated enough to go get it done shortly after they arrived.

 

[qqzj]

I actually think this is the most rational design of magnetic spark plugs. Don't know why only junky brands make them

 

[ultgar]

Spark plug tool drawer....long and short sockets, feeler gauges, cleaning brush and some pre-set torque handles (12nm, 18nm and 28nm).

 

[JradM]

Spark plug tool drawer....long and short sockets, feeler gauges, cleaning brush and some pre-set torque handles (12nm, 18nm and 28nm).

Pre-set torque handles? Damn. That's serious spark plug game

 

[dnschmidt]

Well, since you guys brought it up here's my choice: https://www.toptul.com/en/product-325213/T-Handle-Magnetic-Spark-Plug-Socket.html You would be surprised how much torque the T-handle can generate. This is a 14mm version. TOPTUL also makes a 16mm version that I used to sell. The 14mm works great on my Toyota.

 

[fritz29]

Since the only cars I have that still uses spark plugs are my model a’s, my favorite is the spark plug/head bolt wrench included in the original tool kit. If I remember correctly, that is 1 1/8 inch

 

[qqzj]

Well, since you guys brought it up here's my choice: https://www.toptul.com/en/product-325213/T-Handle-Magnetic-Spark-Plug-Socket.html You would be surprised how much torque the T-handle can generate. This is a 14mm version. TOPTUL also makes a 16mm version that I used to sell. The 14mm works great on my Toyota.

How do you torque it properly?

 

[minytrker]

We probably change atleast 1,000 spark plugs a year (dyno tuning & drag racing) and use the magnetic gear wrench ones. Hard to beat for the price. On the newer 6th Gen GM cars (C7 and ZL1 camaro) plugs **** to change and we have seen several customer crack plugs using the wrong tools to change them.

 

[unslow1]

Since the only cars I have that still uses spark plugs are my model a’s, my favorite is the spark plug/head bolt wrench included in the original tool kit. If I remember correctly, that is 1 1/8 inch

I thought they were 7/8. The old wrenches are in the toolbox but I actually use modern tools.

I have the Gearwrench ones mentioned and a couple of the magnetic Duralast ones. All the others don't get much use anymore.

 

[vssjim]

The KD/GearWrench set is a must have but the nicest sockets I have are Lock-It spark plug sockets that were made in small number a few years ago before the guy lost his machine shop that supplied them. They are the clip type retainers and they are simply perfect but they are now out of business

 

[fritz29]

I thought they were 7/8. The old wrenches are in the toolbox but I actually use modern tools.

I have the Gearwrench ones mentioned and a couple of the magnetic Duralast ones. All the others don't get much use anymore.

The champion W16Y plug is 7/8 and is closer to the early v8 plug
Since I was given a few sets of champion 3x, that is what I use. The 3x has a much larger hex on it

 

[AJHD]

Which do you prefer? I've read very good reviews/comments here about both. The GW is 11" and the Astro is 10", but I need some locking extensions anyhow so the difference in length may not matter that much. (Yeah, I can hear The Office jokes...)

Hmmm, hard to say. But if I had to pick one, I would say Gearwrench. Not because Astro is a bad tool, I just have had the Gearwrench set longer and they have seen more use.

For anything 14mm, I use my Snap On sockets.

 

[bluewater23t]

Looking to pick up a spark plug socket for the first time. Question on sizing. My spark plugs (NGK) are 5/8". Ok to use a socket that is 16mm for these, or should I stick with a 5/8" one. I like the looks of the koken, but they are only 16mm. I tried a regular socket over a new spark plug. 5/8" is perfect fit. 16mm has a wee bit of slop.

 

[Dave455]

Looking to pick up a spark plug socket for the first time. Question on sizing. My spark plugs (NGK) are 5/8". Ok to use a socket that is 16mm for these, or should I stick with a 5/8" one. I like the looks of the koken, but they are only 16mm. I tried a regular socket over a new spark plug. 5/8" is perfect fit. 16mm has a wee bit of slop.

Spark plugs are generally standardised to 5/8 or 13/16, even though some manufacturers insist on converting this to mm.

Although KoKen call their spark plug sockets 16mm and 20.8mm they are a perfect fit on any plugs I’ve tried!

 

[dnschmidt]

Spark plugs are generally standardised to 5/8 or 13/16, even though some manufacturers insist on converting this to mm.

Although KoKen call their spark plug sockets 16mm and 20.8mm they are a perfect fit on any plugs I’ve tried!

Not these sizes anymore. 13/16 is just about obsolete and 5/8" is pretty much the majority of them now in use but 14mm (9/16") is becoming more popular every day with BMW, Toyota and many others using these super thin spark plugs. My new Camry uses 14mm. With BMW you need a 12pt 14mm socket as their spark plugs are 12 pt.

 

[Dave455]

Not these sizes anymore. 13/16 is just about obsolete and 5/8" is pretty much the majority of them now in use but 14mm (9/16") is becoming more popular every day with BMW, Toyota and many others using these super thin spark plugs. My new Camry uses 14mm. With BMW you need a 12pt 14mm socket as their spark plugs are 12 pt.

Noted, and agreed, though I use 13/16 regularly, and even bigger on aircraft plugs.

The previous poster was really just clarifying whether the plug sockets were standardised to inch sizes or metric. I believe the 5/8 and 13/16 are standardised to inch sizes (SAE to be pedantic) irrespective of what’s marked on the socket!

 

[AA/FC]

The GearWrench 6" magnetic swivel socket was a game changer for doing plugs on my 5.7 Hemi.

Otherwise I prefer a bent flex head 3/8 ratchet and traditional spark plug socket.

I have the 8" version of that same tool. It is a must for spark plugs that are deep.

 

[bluewater23t]

Spark plugs are generally standardised to 5/8 or 13/16, even though some manufacturers insist on converting this to mm.

Although KoKen call their spark plug sockets 16mm and 20.8mm they are a perfect fit on any plugs I’ve tried!

Thanks. I contacted Koken USA, but even they could not give me a straight answer as to whether their 16mm socket would fit tight or with some slop on a 5/8" plug.

 

[71firebird400]

Thanks. I contacted Koken USA, but even they could not give me a straight answer as to whether their 16mm socket would fit tight or with some slop on a 5/8" plug.

I also use the Koken 16mm regularly on 5/8" plugs and it works great.

 

[bluewater23t]

I also use the Koken 16mm regularly on 5/8" plugs and it works great.

Ah, perfect info, thanks. Is the Koken 16mm slightly loose on the plug? Would a 5/8" socket (Matco, SO, etc) fit better?

 

[Dave455]

Thanks. I contacted Koken USA, but even they could not give me a straight answer as to whether their 16mm socket would fit tight or with some slop on a 5/8" plug.

They fit just perfectly.

What I was trying to say, was that although they call these a 16mm (presumably because metric types can’t understand fractions) it’s specifically a spark plug socket, and is probably sized to 5/8 anyway.

I don’t think a 5/8 would fit any better, and you lose the spring clips and insulator protector that work so well.

I gave up using generic deep sockets for plugs years ago, as the KoKen are so much nicer. (Old British plugs with BSW hex sizes being the exception…)

 

[vssjim]

Spark plugs are generally standardised to 5/8 or 13/16, even though some manufacturers insist on converting this to mm.

Although KoKen call their spark plug sockets 16mm and 20.8mm they are a perfect fit on any plugs I’ve tried!

That has all changed as we now have 14mm 12 point and 16 mm 12 point and who knows what is no deck. ford even used 9/16 on those stupid 3 valve monstrosities. I have also has 3/4 18mm 7/8 just need to know what you are working on first.

 

[Dave455]

That has all changed as we now have 14mm 12 point and 16 mm 12 point and who knows what is no deck. ford even used 9/16 on those stupid 3 valve monstrosities. I have also has 3/4 18mm 7/8 just need to know what you are working on first.

Indeed we do, but bluewater23t was specifically interested in 5/8“ plugs, and specifically whether they are 5/8“ or 16mm. I believe it’s the former. And 13/16“ are 13/16” not 20.8mm.

I think the 14mm might be a metric innovation, and thus a true 14mm, but not sure.

I have no doubt that manufacturers will invent a 7 sided spark plug if they think it will force more people to have their vehicles serviced at main dealers!

 

[bluewater23t]

Indeed we do, but bluewater23t was specifically interested in 5/8“ plugs, and specifically whether they are 5/8“ or 16mm. I believe it’s the former. And 13/16“ are 13/16” not 20.8mm.

I think the 14mm might be a metric innovation, and thus a true 14mm, but not sure.

I have no doubt that manufacturers will invent a 7 sided spark plug if they think it will force more people to have their vehicles serviced at main dealers!

Yes, perfect, much appreciated. Will go ahead then and order the Koken. I like the clips feature, and the extended length.