Which o2 sensor tool is better: deep socket with slit or crowfoot?

[mark viii mark]

There is no "best".

You'll almost certainly need a different style for each car you work on. I especially like the sensors that you can clearly see, but not put any type of socket or wrench onto.

I use penetrating oil, even though I know it's pointless. The sealing gasket will keep any oil from reaching the threads.

Changed both o2's on my Lincoln Mark VIII, was going to make my own socket but used a 22mm open end, barely enough room but got it done. Penetrating oil helps a lot.

 

[impactsocket]

Has any one successfully used the GearWrench 7/8 in. (22mm) Oxygen Sensor Socket on 2002-2005 Honda Civic Si? Is there enough clearance to use this tool?

 

[Nessal]

Buy the crowsfoot and you won't have to worry about clearance.

 

[impactsocket]

My local auto store only has the socket deep socket with slit and I don't want to wait for an online crowfoot to come in the mail.

Has any one successfully used the GearWrench 7/8 in. (22mm) Oxygen Sensor Socket on 2002-2005 Honda Civic Si? Is there enough clearance to use this tool?

 

[wild cowboy]

In a pinch, still might make sense to try this. The new one will spinn on by hand, and can be snugged-to-torque with the open end. Granted this is not a perfect solution for every application.

you don't use an open end for final torque applications, an open end is meant for speed, you can get hurt or ruin the fastener by cranking down with an open end or breaking with one. - besides, if there is not swing access for a box end, there won't be with an open end either.

 

[KYmillwright]

If the car is up high enough to fit my body under far enough to install an O2 sensor, there's room for an open end wrench. Even on a low car like a C5 & C6 Corvette. Sorry no gimmicks needed here.

 

[wild cowboy]

My local auto store only has the socket deep socket with slit and I don't want to wait for an online crowfoot to come in the mail.

Has any one successfully used the GearWrench 7/8 in. (22mm) Oxygen Sensor Socket on 2002-2005 Honda Civic Si? Is there enough clearance to use this tool?

the Gearwrench socket with the slit will work fine on your 2002-2005 Honda Civic Si, just be sure to pretreat the base of the oil O2 sensor where it meets the manifold with some Kroil (preferred) or PB Blaster or Liquid Wrench a few times in the 24 hours prior to doing the job. Tap the old sensor with a ball peen hammer lightly after applying to work it in (don't mess up the hex head where your wrench goes)

There is actually enough swing room for a 22mm box end wrench to break it loose, though then new sensor's connector may not fit through the box end on reinstallation.

when reinstalling, use the supplied copper grease on the threads of the new one, but be sure to not get the grease on the sensor head itself. This way, the next time will be easy.

If you want your Civic Si to run optimally, I would stick with either the Honda O2 sensor or else the Denso 234-4122

 

[Ruffgeezer]

You know what I've found best is a long slitted socket, and when I get it in place I unplug the sensor and slip a jubilee clip over it.

You get that tightened up, and it'll stop the socket spreading when you wrench on it.

Just in case you guys have a different name for it; this is what we call a Jubilee clip in the UK:

 

[whitedogone]

You know what I've found best is a long slitted socket, and when I get it in place I unplug the sensor and slip a jubilee clip over it.

You get that tightened up, and it'll stop the socket spreading when you wrench on it.

Just in case you guys have a different name for it; this is what we call a Jubilee clip in the UK:

We call it a hose clamp on this side of the pond.

 

[expfcwintergreen]

I noticed when looking up the GearWrench tools for oxygen sensors that they all said 7/8" with (22mm) in parenthesis. 7/8" = 22.23mm. I assume on foreign and probably late model domestic cars that the oxygen sensors are 22mm; is 22.23mm or 7/8" close enough? It sounds like that would round of the edges of the sensors making them hard to remove. I have only changed one oxygen sensor about 15 years ago on a 1996 Ford Windstar and don't remember much about it except that I used an adjustable wrench in an Auto Zone parking lot and had no problem.

 

[LA1]

To remove, always cut the wires so you can use a regular deep socket and put some good torque on it since they usually rust on.

I've never had to cut the wires. I have taken good 02 sensors out for diagnostic purposes and would hate to have to cut the wire and have to replace with new.

it all depends which 02 sensor. for the manifold mounted , the deep socket, for the down stream 02 unplug and put a box wrench on the sensor or a flared wrench

 

[BRTM]

Well up here in the rust belt, I always heat them with a torch and squelch them. I have never had to cut wires and they come out easy even with an open end wrench. My go to is a Mac 7/8".

 

[impactsocket]

GearWrench makes two types of 7/8 in. (22mm) Oxygen Sensor Socket. Is the larger opening only prone to spreading or does the narrow slit version also spread?