Spark plug socket with or without u-joint?

[Mgdoug3]

How handy are the spark plug sockets with a universal? Most of the equipment I work on is diesel. If I do work on a gas engine, I have plenty of room so I have never needed one. If I ever got in a tight spot, I can use my regular universal with the socket.

I like the idea of a spark plug socket with a built in universal but is it actually needed? I have consider buying a few but I never have been able to justify one.

 

[WWheeler]

GearWrench magnetic spark plug swivels. Luv'em.

 

[Wamsutta]

A lot of those universal spark plug sockets are used on cars with a transverse V6 or V8. It gets pretty tight back there between the rear bank and the firewall.

 

[plinker]

I find the extended length plug sockets most useful, mainly due to the COP engines being very common. The standard length sockets would be next. I have used the swivel/universal style on GM engines, 5.7's, 4.8/5.3/6.0's.

 

[Mgdoug3]

I only change spark plugs on a 96 Cherokee and 73 GMC C50. If I I was in a tight spot does is a flex spark plug socket better than a spark plug socket with a u-joint?

Most likely I'll get one one day. I can never have too many sockets. I'm just curious how high it should be on my list.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I usually go for a wobble plus type extension if the plug isn't right in the open.

 

[WWheeler]

Hate fishing for spark plug sockets that pulled off the extension down in recesses where I can't see to get it back in and/or similarly fishing for the spark plug that slipped out of the rubber boot.

Magnetic spark plug swivels dramatically changed all that.

First time I used them was changing the plugs on a Ford 2.5L Lima 4 cyl w/ 8 plugs. The 4 on the exhaust side were soooooo much harder to change before them. Can easily become a frickin all day affair (and there are plenty of online accounts attesting to that for that motor. More than a few just give up and remove the exhaust manifold to get at them. lol) but with the swivel sockets it's a piece of cake. Serious game changers.

 

[Stuart in MN]

If you've never needed one it would be hard to justify buying one.

 

[Gmonkee]

I have both. 90% use is regular on a W+ extension. The u joint version where that one gets sticky.

A lifesaver on V6 vans for that one damn plug in the back somewhere. None are bling brands or fancy. Just the regular cheap ****.

 

[Mgdoug3]

If you've never needed one it would be hard to justify buying one.

Good point. I don't work on small cars and just mainly wrench on my own equipment. At the same time, who doesn't like new tools?

 

[jsaw]

I have one with a double u joint. I used to use it a lot. But dont really change all that many spark plugs any more

 

[JRC3]

GearWrench magnetic spark plug swivels. Luv'em.

I've owned 3 Astro vans through the years...So yes, I have the long one.

 

[2manytools]

I picked up a Craftsman U-joint last week, and it wasn't any extra help in my situation. I have a Toyota 4runner with deep spark plug wells. The socket connection was still in the hole and often came disconnected.

Really wish I had the Gearwrench that has a 3"+ wobble extension instead.

 

[chrisnazzy]

GearWrench magnetic spark plug swivels. Luv'em.

I have these too and they have served me well for years on 4 cylinder, transverse V6, V8 and even Seadoos. The fact that the spark plug socket is always coming back with the extension is reason enough to own them but the swivel and magnetic socket makes them damn neat perfect for almost any application.

I've also used the long one paired with another 12" extension and changed spark plugs on Chevy V8's from in the fenderwell instead of dicking around reaching down into the engine compartment and working around the steering shaft and other obstacles.

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[Qualitytools]

GearWrench magnetic spark plug swivels. Luv'em.

Those would definitely help as I have always ended up using a locking extension on my SP sockets so I don't have to go digging for it when the socket and extension separate. I have some with the foam, some with a clip and the magnetic, I will take the clip type or magnetic over the foam insert any day

 

[Tonyuk]

Pretty much essential for many cars, i know for a fact that some of the new ford ecotecs have curved spark plug wells.

Not always needed though, i get by with a standard socket and extension pretty often.

 

[wvrailroader]

The double jointed Snap On spark plug socket can be a lifesaver on some engines. It is pricey, but definitely one of those products where Snap On is well worth the money.

 

[BK13]

I wouldn’t want to change the plugs in my 2001 Triton 5.4 without my GW swivel, though I wish I would have bought the longer one.


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[sberry]

You said you don't need it. They have a place but why buy more **** that you don't use?

 

[Mgdoug3]

Simple answer, because I can. I like having tools I don't need rather than not having tools I need. I do help out in a shop from time to time and I like using my own tools. I help family members out with vehicles as well.

My post was mainly about if I could get by with an universal adapter or is a flex spark plug socket better. I'm not rushing out to go buy one but looking for information from people who do this daily.

 

[Gmonkee]

Then simple answers to simple questions. You can get by with a removable U joint.

I prefer the fixed U joint on mine however as it is shorter and less to disconnect in the depths of **** engineering. It cost more too but is worth the price. Time is money in a shop and the tool cost 10 bucks at AZ long ago. Well worth that and more years later.

 

[sberry]

I have a couple. I used one a while back. I got a lot of **** but don't need every size they ever invented. I am a master of the shallow, the deep and extensions and really only use a flex or unit as a last resort. If I was under the hood of a different line of cars every day then would be tailoring that to make it a bit easier but you can kinda cross that bridge when you come to it with stores and parts now open late and well stocked.
I think mine are hand me downs, parts store stuff. If a guy is a regular user the bent handle ratchet has its place once in a while. I like a couple sockets with a hex drive on top, can socket drive them with an air ratchet. Air ratchet helps in tight places, don't need to work a ratchet.

But, there are enough tools to buy that a guy needs, no point in just filling the box, or score it from a dollar bin at a flea or pawn.

 

[jgromada]

You can never have too many spark plug tools! What I need to change plug on my Subaru is far different from what I've used on my VWs or BMW.

 

[rebelram]

I have spark plug sockets with the attached universal. When you need them, you need them! But what I find needing more often these days are thin walled spark plug sockets. Why manufacturers can't give you a couple thousandths more clearance in a spark plug hole, I can't figure out! I had to buy a special 10" long thin wall spark plug socket from S-K for my 4.7L RAM. Nothing else fits!

 

[johninct]

When you need a swivel, you need it and no way to do it easily without one.