Gearwrench spark plug socket QC problem

[DarryT]

I have a problem with the (highly rated) GearWrench 5/8 spark plug wrench #80546 just purchased from FCP Euro for work on my 328i.

The hex portion of the plug sits very shallow in the socket, only 5mm depth, with much of it chamffered, causing the plugs to get rounded off when removing them from the engine block. Simply, this socket lacks enough meat to grab the plugs securely.

Is this a quality control problem? Or is this a design flaw?

 

[bigfunwmu]

That looks like there is a ring of material stuck in there that is blocking half the depth of the hex broach. The gaps on the points of the hex look like the broach goes deeper than that ring of metal.

Can you dig that ring out with a pick or something? Seems like that shouldn't be the magnet...

 

[DarryT]

The ring appears to be welded in. The pick did not budge it.

 

[Tools4Me]

I looked up the item on Amazon, and there are quite a few reviews with images that talk about the same issue.

https://www.amazon.com/GEARWRENCH-Drive-Magnetic-Swivel-Socket/dp/B0014ZVSVK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

It appears to be a known issue that has existed for multiple years and has never been fixed. One review states that the ring magnet (and the backing ring behind it which appears to be made out of aluminum) is mechanically pressed in place, and if you are careful you can press the ring magnet and backing ring deeper into the socket to free up more hex depth for spark plug engagement. Don't hammer it though, because that will likely crack or shatter the ring magnet. If you don't have a press you can use, you might be able to press the ring in deeper using bench vise jaws and a smaller sized socket that can slip inside the spark plug socket's 6pt broach. No matter what you try, the task will still be a little tricky to perform as a result of the integrated swivel extension sticking out the back of the socket which can't be removed.

 

[charbar]

Gearwrench warranty has always been good for me. Get on their website and make a claim, they will send you a new one. It will probably take a couple weeks though so if you're in the middle of a project you are going to have to use something else for the time being.

 

[RoninB4]

It appears to be a known issue that has existed for multiple years and has never been fixed.

-Years? That's effed up. Somebody in engineering needs to override the sourced components (magnet) decision and either broach deeper or a thinner magnetic stack-up. I use a 2 step extraction process for plugs but would be a bit disgruntled with a purchase that should have eliminated the second step. That's just poor decisions from couldn't-care-less manufacturing by a company that should care more. Appreciate the OP posting this glaring eff-up.

 

[DarryT]

Hoping I didn't get any small metal shards down the hole.

 

[Jack Ryan]

I don't have many GearWrench plug spanners but those I have were made in Taiwan and don't have the insert you refer to. The newest are probably two or three years old.

Jack

 

[AJHD]

Is that "ring" the magnet, or is just unfinished machining?

I will have to look at my sockets again, but I have a similar issue with the 9/16" (14mm) plug socket I have. I don't have a spare 5/8" plug handy to check the other sockets.

As I said in another thread however, I have used these sockets in the past without issues.

 

[gatewaysysop]

I looked up the item on Amazon, and there are quite a few reviews with images that talk about the same issue.

It appears to be a known issue that has existed for multiple years and has never been fixed.

Wonders never cease.

On a serious note, never been a GW fan and this doesn't help matters. It's really lame when companies just pump out garbage product and even after being made aware that it's garbage, they do nothing to fix the problem.

 

[DarryT]

My first GearWrench product (bought new) it may be my last.

 

[Jack Ryan]

Wonders never cease.

On a serious note, never been a GW fan and this doesn't help matters. It's really lame when companies just pump out garbage product and even after being made aware that it's garbage, they do nothing to fix the problem.

I think it is a shame when tool companies (such as GearWrench) do so well that they are taken over by large corporations wanting to make more money.

Jack

 

[rust in the eye]

Not a fan of GW myself but have a few. I will say that they were fine to work with when I had a broken box ratchet.
The ring magnet looks fully inserted from here so broaching isn't deep enough.
PERHAPS if you speak with them and mention this seems a common complaint they might arrange an exchange for a different item they've executed better.
K-Tool Int'l. makes a similar design plug socket. I have the 13/16" version and it fully engages the spark plug's hex. The 5/8 version is item # KTI 27014

 

[gatewaysysop]

I think it is a shame when tool companies (such as GearWrench) do so well that they are taken over by large corporations wanting to make more money.

Jack

I don't think they typically get bought out or taken over because they're 'doing so well'.

 

[Steve_P]

I don't think they typically get bought out or taken over because they're 'doing so well'.

Sure they do: Fluke, Weller, Nicholson, Irwin....

Buy a successful company that has historically made stuff in the US, send the remaining US manufacturing to lower cost locations like Mexico, Asia... charge the same price for the new import as the US one sold for last year, and pocket the difference. Easy money.

 

[WhataTool]

AP 94404, problem solved. The main image even shows the depth being better

 

[Cruzan80]

Not a GW specific anecdote...

Bought a Duralast dark plug socket to do the plugs in a 5.4L 3V. Got over halfway done before I noticed a very similar issue. Turns out that using the little 1/4" impact driver has "shocked" the magnet loose from where it was pressed down, and it slid towards the front lip. Next spark plug I did, the magnet came out with the plug. Went in, showed it to the counter, they swapped it on the spot.

So maybe it depends on the tool you are using? Either way, got all 8 original plugs out without breaking one (18yo plugs, with about 75k mi on them), so I was happy.

 

[Wamsutta]

There's Gillions of those on Ebay. Take your pick.

 

[darkzero]

I'm not familiar those sockets or those spark plugs but I've had to modify sockets for a similar because the chamfer was too deep.

Not pictured but I also did this to a 11mm socket for use with flange nuts & nyloc jam nuts.

 

[retDAC]

Not a GW specific anecdote...

Bought a Duralast dark plug socket to do the plugs in a 5.4L 3V. Got over halfway done before I noticed a very similar issue. Turns out that using the little 1/4" impact driver has "shocked" the magnet loose from where it was pressed down, and it slid towards the front lip. Next spark plug I did, the magnet came out with the plug. Went in, showed it to the counter, they swapped it on the spot.

So maybe it depends on the tool you are using? Either way, got all 8 original plugs out without breaking one (18yo plugs, with about 75k mi on them), so I was happy.

Was the engine cold, warm, or hot?

 

[Cruzan80]

IIRC, it was warmed up again before using. More the point was the magnet wasn't held in securley.

 

[Pinne]

I've got a set of these GearWrench 5/8 spark plug sockets, none of them are like OPs. I would return it or exchange it. Tool was not designed like this and it's a manufacturing / QC defect.

 

[DarryT]

FCP is shipping out a new one & looking into the GearWrench QC problem.

FCP always has great customer service.