Snap On spark plug socket, S9704KR

[bmwpower]

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...=19396&supersede=&store=snapon-store&tool=all

My concern was this:

"Patented tapered hex design (U.S. Patent No. 6,626,067) securely retains spark plug in socket without rubber insert or magnet. Spark plug is easily disengaged from the socket by applying gentle side pressure to break the contact."

Does this actually work as stated or does it fall out all the time? Better or worse than a rubber insert?

TIA.....

 

[DavidtheDuke]

I would've said don't worry about it and get the magnetic one.. but they don't seem to have it on the website right now.. uh oh...

 

[t100]

not to answer your question, but i have this $0.99 HF telescopic magnet pen for years, it works every time in terms of picking plugs outta the hole. i just don't think there's any reason to throw another 30 bucks for that thing.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

It works. I prefer the rubber insert or magnetic ones though.

 

[bmwpower]

not to answer your question, but i have this $0.99 HF telescopic magnet pen for years, it works every time in terms of picking plugs outta the hole. i just don't think there's any reason to throw another 30 bucks for that thing.

Not so worried about the removal, it's the install I'm worried about.

My holes are mostly sideways, not up/down.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

My holes are mostly sideways, not up/down.

In the quiet words of the Virgin Mary, come again?

 

[HandyManny]

My preference has been for the rubber insert, but the kind that slips easily onto the ceramic insulator but snaps over or tightens onto the terminal end. Like Proto sparkplug sockets.

I've always disliked the rubber insert type that fit tight all along the whole insulator and terminal.

 

[bmwpower]

My preference has been for the rubber insert, but the kind that slips easily onto the ceramic insulator but snaps over or tightens onto the terminal end. Like Proto sparkplug sockets.

I've always disliked the rubber insert type that fit tight all along the whole insulator and terminal.

Got a part number?

In the quiet words of the Virgin Mary, come again?

80-90's 3 and 5 series (E30, E34, etc.)
inline 6's with plugs that screw in sideways, not drop in thru the valve cover like the new ones.

Get your mind outta the gutter, man.

 

[HandyManny]

J5020-50 or J5020-70 (swivel) is one type for 3/8" drive 5/8 hex size. They are Proto not a snap-on. Just another option

 

[bmwpower]

J5020-50 is one for 3/8" drive 5/8 hex size. It's a Proto not a snap-on. I thought you were wanting snap-on.

I want a good one, doesn't have to be snappy.

 

[HandyManny]

I've always been happy with those Proto spark plug sockets. They just seem to be designed to snap onto the terminal due to the detent and internal shape of the rubber insert. Proto has swivel ones as well.

 

[HandyManny]

Have a look. http://www.stanleyproto.com/default...ETS&strSiteName=PROTO&strDefaultCatalog=PROTO

 

[bmwpower]

I've always been happy with those Proto spark plug sockets. They just seem to be designed to snap onto the terminal due to the detent and internal shape of the rubber insert. Proto has swivel ones as well.

Thinking about this...what if the plugs are different lengths? Will it still grab the detent?

Wish they showed the guts on that site...

 

[Flash21]

good thready bmwpower, I was wondering the same thing. I recentl bought two of the Snap-On spark plug sockets like that without realizing they weren't the rubber insert type. I haven't have a chance to try them out.

 

[Big Bad Jon]

I have the socket in question... I don't use it very often to do installs for that very reason. I have a rule that if the plug gets dropped even a little it goes into the trash can. Nothing like diagnosing a slightly cracked spark plug! I like the rubber ones that way I know they are in there good.
Or to put it a way that Moose would prefer. I like the way rubber makes a tighter fit

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Or to put it a way that Moose would prefer. I like the way rubber makes a tighter fit

Bwahahaha..

 

[Merkava_4]

I guess nobody else breaks the spark plug loose with a regular deep socket and then spins them out with their fingers then huh?

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I guess nobody else breaks the spark plug loose with a regular deep socket and then spins them out with their fingers then huh?

Pretty much everything i work on has 3-4"+ deep spark plug wells..

 

[Merkava_4]

Pretty much everything i work on has 3-4"+ deep spark plug wells..

Oh ... now that I think of it ... I just realized that I'm used to working on push rod engines where all you have to do is reach in between the exhaust manifold tubes to get your spark plug; I forgot about those modern types of engines.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I work on engines that have 4-5 valves per cylinder, two (or 3, in the case of ValveTronic engines) cams per cylinder head, coil packs.. etc.

 

[Big Bad Jon]

I guess nobody else breaks the spark plug loose with a regular deep socket and then spins them out with their fingers then huh?

My Ford Expedition "requires" a special 6" plug socket to get to the back ones on the passenger side. *note that there are a bunch of AC lines and other **** in the way as well. When I was a younger lad and did not have the special socket, I got an extension stuck in one of these cylinders. Needless to say, it took a LONG time to get the darn thing out.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

My Ford Expedition "requires" a special 6" plug socket to get to the back ones on the passenger side. *note that there are a bunch of AC lines and other **** in the way as well. When I was a younger lad and did not have the special socket, I got an extension stuck in one of these cylinders. Needless to say, it took a LONG time to get the darn thing out.

Is that the OTC one with the slim "extension" middle? (5.4 Triton?) I've had the problem of sockets and extensions stuck down plug wells. Then i bought some locking extensions, they work good.

 

[Big Bad Jon]

Is that the OTC one with the slim "extension" middle? (5.4 Triton?) I've had the problem of sockets and extensions stuck down plug wells. Then i bought some locking extensions, they work good.

That is what I used to have it was a total POS. Now I have http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1345&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog That thing is great. but the price

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Oh yeah, i have those in 5/8" and 13/16". I know what you mean about the price..

 

[volvo420coupe]

I have the snap on's and I have never had a complaint about them. And the kit they came in looks awesome in my toolbox.

Correction, I wish the kit had 13/16" instead of the 9/16" spark plug socket which I have never used. (not that I ever use 13/16" that much)

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

i have that, and i dont like it at all. i'd rather use rubber insert or magnetic one.

Plugs fit really tight on the socket. so hard to remove from the plugs from socket each time.

 

[bmwpower]

That is what I used to have it was a total POS. Now I have http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1345&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog That thing is great. but the price

What would you save by using those? Can't just use a long extension?

 

[BB26]

My Ford Expedition "requires" a special 6" plug socket to get to the back ones on the passenger side. *note that there are a bunch of AC lines and other **** in the way as well. When I was a younger lad and did not have the special socket, I got an extension stuck in one of these cylinders. Needless to say, it took a LONG time to get the darn thing out.

Changing plugs on my Expedition was a PITA. The motor sits way back in the engine bay, they are rececessed, and there is a bunch of **** in the way. Grrr! I used this socket...

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-5595-sk-hand-tool-4421.aspx

 

[Fedwrench]

I have that set of spark plug sockets. My experience with them has been the opposite, I can't get them to let go when I want them to. I haven't dropped any plugs but, I've wrestled with the plug sockets trying to get them to release on th backside on GM 3.8L more than once. The plain jane Craftsman spark plug sockets and the longer SK plug socket with alot of knurling are probably my favorites.

 

[krusty the clown]

for triton v-8's i use a 6"locking extension attatched to the plug socket then a swivel attatched to a 11" locking extension. it works well as it gets the ratchet clear of obstructions and the 6" comes above the cyl head/intake enough to turn it by hand after you break it loose.

 

[1loudsuv]

I use mines all day long... I did two toyota siennas (2005 and a 2006)and one nissan altima and a honda civic today alone and its very easy to take them off just a tap on work table and the socket comes out (old one) and the one just a little wiggle (very very slight wiggle) and it comes out. I have been using them a year now with no problems with cracked plugs or anything.

 

[bmwpower]

I use mines all day long... I did two toyota siennas (2005 and a 2006)and one nissan altima and a honda civic today alone and its very easy to take them off just a tap on work table and the socket comes out (old one) and the one just a little wiggle (very very slight wiggle) and it comes out. I have been using them a year now with no problems with cracked plugs or anything.

Haven't done my Sienna yet. Is it a PITA to get to those?

 

[1loudsuv]

Haven't done my Sienna yet. Is it a PITA to get to those?

front three come off easy, book says 2 hours to do and a tech with "had 30 years experience" took him 6 hours to do, well it takes me about 1 hour to do... I have about 10 years experience, obviously he got the boot the way I do it to get to the rear ones is take off the intake hose,throttle body and the spacer behind it.

It is challenging though..my hands always end up all scratched up when I do one

 

[bmwpower]

front three come off easy, book says 2 hours to do and a tech with "had 30 years experience" took him 6 hours to do, well it takes me about 1 hour to do... I have about 10 years experience, obviously he got the boot the way I do it to get to the rear ones is take off the intake hose,throttle body and the spacer behind it.

It is challenging though..my hands always end up all scratched up when I do one

Wonderful. I hate these sideways motors.

Is there a gasket or anything on the throttle body? I don't mind taking stuff off, but if I have to order other parts might be good to know beforehand.

Can you do it from behind, while under it, on a lift?

 

[1loudsuv]

we have lifts and no underneath no go, and yes on the gaskets but I reuse them no problems (customers dont want to spend more $$ sometimes) they are rubber.