Spark plugs getting stuck in socket.

[snippits]

Have a GM 3.1 litre engine sideways job, and I have to tilt the engine forward to get to the back spark plugs.

I was using a Bostitch 5/8 spark plug socket with rubber insert that came with my set. The plugs were getting stuck in the socket so tight I had to use my Channellock pliers to get the stuck plugs out of the socket, and the plugs were useless after removing them with the pliers. Why would the plugs get stuck in the socket?

From now on, I am only going to use some rubber hose slipped over the end of the plug, and use the hose to get the plug started in the threads. But I still need a proper socket to get them loose. Thinking about buying Gear Wrench 5/8" x 6" Magnetic Swivel Spark Plug Socket from Advance. http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...spark-plug-socket-80546/25984192-P#fragment-1

 

[franzdom]

Any bolt can get jammed in a socket, but in this case the rubber insert is probably the culprit. Those are usually way tight. I prefer the magnetic spark plug sockets for most applications.

 

[sberry]

Spray a little Silglide in the rubber.

 

[LordPsychon]

I have rubber insert type spark plug sockets and mine don't get stuck but I also don't use them that much - repeated use probably fatigues the rubber causing the issue.

 

[terry603]

if I take the time to remove plugs, I am not going to reuse them.so, damaging them is not an issue to me

 

[snippits]

if I take the time to remove plugs, I am not going to reuse them.so, damaging them is not an issue to me

Yes I was installing new plugs too, but an old habit of mine is to keep at least one of the old plugs for that time that a plug goes bad, and I have had that to happen a few times over the years.

 

[snippits]

Any bolt can get jammed in a socket, but in this case the rubber insert is probably the culprit. Those are usually way tight. I prefer the magnetic spark plug sockets for most applications.

Got to agree with the rubber insert causing the problem. Never used a magnetic spark plug socket, but the reviews on Advance and Amazon about the Gearwrench sokcet is pretty dang good.

 

[G_P]

Spray some lube in the rubber insert. The dry rubber is extremely grippy.

 

[royesses]

Use some silicone dielectric grease on the rubber insert. The kind of grease that you use on the wire boots.

 

[RXtacy]

Might want to look into a spring clip spark plug socket instead. Ko-Ken makes great ones.

 

[bcradio]

Definitely a case of "more tools needed". Now you have your excuse to buy them.

 

[snippits]

Seems like the answer to my problem is to use lubricant on the rubber insert of the plug socket. I have dielectric grease in the tube, and I also have some silicone spray. Also have some Silglyde in the tube, but I only use that for brake caliper slides because it leaves a brown residue.

I will give the Bostitch socket another chance since it did do a good job of removing and holding the plug, but it just held too dang good. I will apply some dielectric grease to the rubber insert with a small flat blade screwdriver, and give it a try next time I change the plugs. Thanks!

 

[kv501]

The plugs were getting stuck in the socket so tight I had to use my Channellock pliers to get the stuck plugs out of the socket, and the plugs were useless

Why wouldn't you just put a shop rag between the threads and pliers?? Done it several times, plugs will be fine. I know you're looking for a better socket solution, put the premise that you have to ruin the plugs to get them out is a little off base.

 

[snippits]

Why wouldn't you just put a shop rag between the threads and pliers?? Done it several times, plugs will be fine. I know you're looking for a better socket solution, put the premise that you have to ruin the plugs to get them out is a little off base.

Off base?

Rag or no rag the plugs would not have been any good to me because of the force I had to use to remove them. There is small area between the plug and threads that I tried to use to get it loose without damaging the threads, but that area was just not enough to get a good grip on the plug for a pulling and twisting motion. Furthermore, with all the force and twisting to remove the plug from the socket, there is no way I would use the plug for a back up because there is a good chance that the ceramic got cracked.

 

[royesses]

It won't hurt to put a light coat of the dielectric grease on the socket broaching also. Some times the plug can get wedged in the broaching and this will help prevent that. The dielectric grease will cause no harm to the rubber or socket. I just put it on and leave it on the socket all the time. That way if i forget due to old-timers syndrome it's already there.
Roy

 

[snippits]

It won't hurt to put a light coat of the dielectric grease on the socket broaching also. Some times the plug can get wedged in the broaching and this will help prevent that. The dielectric grease will cause no harm to the rubber or socket. I just put it on and leave it on the socket all the time. That way if i forget due to old-timers syndrome it's already there.
Roy

Yup good call, and I have already done that. I think the combination of the new grippy insert, and the plug wedging in the broaching was causing the problem.

I got out one of my old used plugs, and I coated the the plug with dielectric grease from where the broaching grips the plug, and then heavily coated the cremaic too. I seated the plug in the socket the first time, and it was hard to come out by hand, and I was using a rag for grip. After that first time, it started getting easier to remove the socket.

It's still gripping the socket more than it should be, but I think I can get by with it now. I heavily coated the insert/socket again with dielectric grease, and I will check it in a few days to see if the insert loosens up a bit.

 

[saryon7]

You could always pull the rubber insert out and try it to see if the rubber is indeed the culprit. It can be removed easily.

 

[snippits]

You could always pull the rubber insert out and try it to see if the rubber is indeed the culprit. It can be removed easily.

That's a good idea. The rubber insert could possibly be over sized. Might be able to take a knife to it, and loosen it up a bit. Going to give dielectric grease a chance to soften the rubber up over the next few days, and then go from there.

 

[DC73]

The rubber insert could possibly be over sized. Might be able to take a knife to it, and loosen it up a bit. Going to give dielectric grease a chance to soften the rubber up over the next few days, and then go from there.

I had a new "tight" spark plug socket like this one time. I coated the inside with dielectric grease and stored an old spark plug inside the socket to help condition the rubber to be the correct size. The next time I went to use it, it was just fine.

DC

 

[bwringer]

I've seen the rubber in spark plug sockets swell up when exposed to oil. The insert was slippery, but way too tight to use.

(And yeah, the circumstances leading to an oil-soaked spark plug socket were bizarre but unclear...)

Overall, I've been much happier since I discovered magnetic spark plug sockets. I got a very nice set from a local motorcycle shoppe.

 

[Flivver250]

Definitely a case of "more tools needed". Now you have your excuse to buy them.

What he said!

 

[jb3426]

I cant stand spark plug sockets with the rubber insert. I pull them out of all my plug sockets and use an old set of spark plug wire boots off of a set of wires from a 1992 Saturn SL1 with a 1.9. They fit tight enough to screw the plugs in but not so tight to every have to worry about crossthreading in aluminum heads. They are fairly long and are also flexable enough to start plugs in spots that a straight shot is impossible to get at. If they arent long enough to reach down into a DOHC engine to remove/install the plug then I push a 3/8" bolt into the hole the wire used to go through. My local Oreilly's has a cheap set of wires for $15.99. Thats $4 for each plug boot. Best $4 improvised tool I have ever owned!

 

[redmondjp]

I cant stand spark plug sockets with the rubber insert. I pull them out of all my plug sockets and use an old set of spark plug wire boots off of a set of wires from a 1992 Saturn SL1 with a 1.9. They fit tight enough to screw the plugs in but not so tight to every have to worry about crossthreading in aluminum heads. They are fairly long and are also flexable enough to start plugs in spots that a straight shot is impossible to get at. If they arent long enough to reach down into a DOHC engine to remove/install the plug then I push a 3/8" bolt into the hole the wire used to go through. My local Oreilly's has a cheap set of wires for $15.99. Thats $4 for each plug boot. Best $4 improvised tool I have ever owned!

Thanks for sharing! I love it. Yankee engineering at its finest, and no duct tape or bailing wire was involved either.

 

[snippits]

I had a new "tight" spark plug socket like this one time. I coated the inside with dielectric grease and stored an old spark plug inside the socket to help condition the rubber to be the correct size. The next time I went to use it, it was just fine.

DC

That sounds like a winner. Will coat the spark plug with dielectric grease again, and jam one in there today! Thanks

 

[Fedwrench]

Bostich? Therein may lay the problem.

It sounds like the QC guys might have stuck an insert for a 13/16 plug socket in a 5/8 plug socket.

Lubing the rubber insert may have mixed results. It might soften up enough to fix the issue, it might swell and make things worse, or become a dirt magnet attracting **** that will stay on your plugs.

Instead of using a pair of pliers to wrestle the plug out of the offending socket, remove the socket from your ratchet, insert a screwdriver, punch, or maybe a 1/4 drive extension into the plug socket's female square drive and tap it against a bench or floor to push the plug out. You won't damage the plug threads that way.

 

[TOOL FANATIK]

My problem with my rubber boot socket is my extension comes off of the socket once the plug is torqued and I go to pull my socket out. I have locking extensions in 1/4" drive but no 3/8", so I make do with using some long reach pliers and grab the socket with them.

 

[redmondjp]

My problem with my rubber boot socket is my extension comes off of the socket once the plug is torqued and I go to pull my socket out. I have locking extensions in 1/4" drive but no 3/8", so I make do with using some long reach pliers and grab the socket with them.

That's exactly the reason why I bought my first 6" long 3/8" locking extension bar - the socket was stuck down the tube of my roommate's BMW so I had to make a special trip to Sears to get one!

 

[gearhead1]

Had the same issue. I pushed out the rubber piece and cut it in half and put half back in the socket. This worked for me. You have less area gripping the plug body now.

 

[TOOL FANATIK]

That's exactly the reason why I bought my first 6" long 3/8" locking extension bar - the socket was stuck down the tube of my roommate's BMW so I had to make a special trip to Sears to get one!

Uhh hate those "special trips ". I'll try a million things before finally saying f it gotta make the trip. By that time I could've been back and job done!