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Why are spark plug tools 3/8 drive?

A

AA/FC

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 9, 2010
Messages
2,080
Use whatever drive size you want to use. Nobody is stopping you.

I've noticed several threads on this site over the years where the person actually sounds offended by certain drive size tools. This isn't the first thread where someone was questioning why most people use certain drive sizes for certain tasks. Or why 1/2 inch drive tools even exist in the first place. (for example) Another classic thread topic is when people ask if they need to buy any SAE tools at all.... They imply that owning ONLY metric tools will suffice nowadays. Or, how about those guys who will ONLY buy impact sockets and extensions, no chrome drive tools.... Because why own two complete sets of chrome AND impact sockets? lol

I realize this is a discussion forum and you can ask all the silly questions that you like.... But then don't be surprised by some of the answers that you get in return.

Here is the real answer.... The fastener will tell you which tool is required to remove it. And sometimes you need two of those same tools to remove ONE fastener. (nut AND bolt) That is why we have 3 (or more) drive sizes available. That is why we own SAE and Metric tools. That is why we own chrome and impact sockets. That it why we own duplicates of most tools, etc etc... We need to have the correct tool for every occasion. We don't get to decide, the fastener decides for us. Owning all the common socket sets in all the common drive sizes is NOT excessive, it is NORMAL for most guys who work on cars.

If you want to make wrenching on cars harder than it needs to be, then go ahead and limit yourself to using only certain tools. We don't care. The rest of us will be using the correct tools for the job. lol.

This HAS to be a troll thread.
 
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OP
Q

qqzj

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Joined
Nov 28, 2017
Messages
3,747
AA/FC said:
Use whatever drive size you want to use. Nobody is stopping you.

I've noticed several threads on this site over the years where the person actually sounds offended by certain drive size tools. This isn't the first thread where someone was questioning why most people use certain drive sizes for certain tasks. Or why 1/2 inch drive tools even exist in the first place. (for example) Another classic thread topic is when people ask if they need to buy any SAE tools at all.... They imply that owning ONLY metric tools will suffice nowadays. Or, how about those guys who will ONLY buy impact sockets and extensions, no chrome drive tools.... Because why own two complete sets of chrome AND impact sockets? lol

I realize this is a discussion forum and you can ask all the silly questions that you like.... But then don't be surprised by some of the answers that you get in return.

Here is the real answer.... The fastener will tell you which tool is required to remove it. And sometimes you need two of those same tools to remove ONE fastener. (nut AND bolt) That is why we have 3 (or more) drive sizes available. That is why we own SAE and Metric tools. That is why we own chrome and impact sockets. That it why we own duplicates of most tools, etc etc... We need to have the correct tool for every occasion. We don't get to decide, the fastener decides for us. Owning all the common socket sets in all the common drive sizes is NOT excessive, it is NORMAL for most guys who work on cars.

If you want to make wrenching on cars harder than it needs to be, then go ahead and limit yourself to using only certain tools. We don't care. The rest of us will be using the correct tools for the job. lol.

This HAS to be a troll thread.
Click to expand...
I read your post from beginning to end and I agree with every word you typed in. So a bit surprised where the last sentence comes from?
 
OP
Q

qqzj

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Nov 28, 2017
Messages
3,747
qqzj said:
I read your post from beginning to end and I agree with every word you typed in. So a bit surprised where the last sentence comes from?
Click to expand...
Agree with every word except the last sentence of course
 
K

KnurledNut

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n/a
Even if 1/4 was a logical option, it would be a headache to use. Locking extensions and ratchets would be necessary to overcome the magnet/boot/ball retention. Its bad enough with 3/8.
I could see these sockets selling in a limited quantity as a specialty tool, nothing more.
That being said, I have 1/4” 5/8 deep.
 
D

dchawk81

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 31, 2014
Messages
14,358
General Geoff said:
Every spark plug socket I own also has flats for a box or open-end wrench to turn.
Clearance is a non-consideration for drive size when it comes to spark plugs. Use a thinner head ratchet or a combo wrench if you don't have a thin enough head ratchet to fit where you need it to.
Click to expand...
If that doesn't work, sell the stupid van.

Because, if spark plugs are that big of a PITA, it's definitely a van.
 
B

bbrins

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Dec 25, 2012
Messages
302
Location
MD
qqzj said:
You know not all spark plugs are 5/8, do you? I don’t have that much time entertaining you. The plugs on a lot of modern engines are 14mm. Perfect for 1/4 tools
Click to expand...
Not when you take thread size into consideration. What's the thread size on one of those plugs, 12mm? That would typically have a hex size of about 19mm if it were a bolt. I'm just going off the top of my head, which may be a tad off on those numbers, but should be close enough to make the point.
 
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T

TRLKC

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Joined
Jun 10, 2023
Messages
51
Location
SW MO
whateg01 said:
I'm lucky. I have the self ejecting version. So far I've only had to fix 2 of them.
Click to expand...
Ditto On a 2v 6.8ltr V10. Then I realized there were 8 more that could fail. Too bad, other than that and exhaust manifold studs, I loved the F250. Someone else’s problem now.
 
F

F-22

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 23, 2022
Messages
1,830
Kuma601 said:
Where do the 3/4" and 1" ratchets fit in?
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I use my 3/4" for lug nuts on my car. Not that it's needed, but feels very reassuring. The 19mm socket on a 3/4" ratchet kind of looks like a 13mm socket on a 1/2".
 
P

pelletman

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Joined
Apr 5, 2016
Messages
1,266
Location
Worcester, People's Republic of Massachusetts
guitarbutt said:
Sheesh some people are daft and quick to jump to "I DO IT THIS WAY SO NO ONE ELSE SHOULD DO DIFFERENTLY"

I have a 1/2" drive socket and I don't think I've used it. I would love to have a 1/4 drive socket. Not everybody lives in salt belts, has a rusted junker, or tightens everything like a neanderthal. My work truck could have benefited from a 1/4 ratchet and socket due to the tight space. A Subaru with a boxer engine would also benefit greatly. They make 1/2" drive 8mm sockets, so I don't get why it's being scoffed at by some. Having a 1/4" drive 5/8 spark plug socket would be helpful on occasion and I would definitely get one if I could find it
Click to expand...
You could use a 3/8 to 1/4 adapter...
 
P

pelletman

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Joined
Apr 5, 2016
Messages
1,266
Location
Worcester, People's Republic of Massachusetts
AA/FC said:
Use whatever drive size you want to use. Nobody is stopping you.

I've noticed several threads on this site over the years where the person actually sounds offended by certain drive size tools. This isn't the first thread where someone was questioning why most people use certain drive sizes for certain tasks. Or why 1/2 inch drive tools even exist in the first place. (for example) Another classic thread topic is when people ask if they need to buy any SAE tools at all.... They imply that owning ONLY metric tools will suffice nowadays. Or, how about those guys who will ONLY buy impact sockets and extensions, no chrome drive tools.... Because why own two complete sets of chrome AND impact sockets? lol

I realize this is a discussion forum and you can ask all the silly questions that you like.... But then don't be surprised by some of the answers that you get in return.

Here is the real answer.... The fastener will tell you which tool is required to remove it. And sometimes you need two of those same tools to remove ONE fastener. (nut AND bolt) That is why we have 3 (or more) drive sizes available. That is why we own SAE and Metric tools. That is why we own chrome and impact sockets. That it why we own duplicates of most tools, etc etc... We need to have the correct tool for every occasion. We don't get to decide, the fastener decides for us. Owning all the common socket sets in all the common drive sizes is NOT excessive, it is NORMAL for most guys who work on cars.

If you want to make wrenching on cars harder than it needs to be, then go ahead and limit yourself to using only certain tools. We don't care. The rest of us will be using the correct tools for the job. lol.

This HAS to be a troll thread.
Click to expand...
I thought it was because we liked to buy tools!
 
M

Mick56

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 11, 2015
Messages
558
Location
Janesville Wisconsin
I used a 1/2" drive air impact to remove a stuck spark plug. It was probably 25 years ago when my daughter got a 93 Ford ******, 4 cylinder, had around 150k on it. I'm going to change the spark plugs, but only see 3. It took some looking, and the 4th plug is hidden behind the alternator. Well, the easy 3 came out just fine, the hidden one was stuck. I tried with a breaker bar, but was afraid it would snap off.

I took my air impact, which has a knob on the bottom to control the air. Turn it all the way in, and the gun will not even spin. So, I put the socket on the plug, turned the knob all the way in, and squeezed the trigger. Very slowly, start turning the knob out till the gun just starts chugging a little. Every few minutes, turn the knob out a tiny bit more. It took about 10 minutes, and finally the socket starts turning. The plug came out without damaging any threads. The plug was a Motorcraft plug, and the outer electrode was completely burned away. It had to have been the original plug. I guess whoever change the plugs before either missed it, or couldn't get it out, and left it.
 
K

KenC

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 20, 2009
Messages
2,578
qqzj said:
Most Denso or NGK plugs use about 13-15 ft pounds torque. I have seen good quality 1/4 ratchet fails at about 70 ft lbs. So spark plug tools are right in the alley of 1/4 tools. So I am pretty puzzled why most spark plug specific tools use 3/8 drive? Given the increasingly crowded engine bay 1/4 makes a lot more sense, doesn't it?

One possible explanation is that 1/4 torque wrench often stops at 15 ft lbs or so. Then it is natural to ask why not make a 1/4 torque wrench going up to 30 ft lbs? As of now, using chunky 3/8 tools for spark plugs seems pretty dumb. Any opinions?
Click to expand...
Plug installation torque specs are easy to find.

But, I've been looking for a removal torque spec chart and have been unable to find one.

if you could post one it would help me select the proper tool.

I like to break them loose and crank 'em out with the same tool so that would help with that too.
 
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