How To: Change #3 spark plug

[DaRkCyDe]

i have a 96 4.3 ex cab, and i changed mine about 3 or so months ago, and ive never changed any spark plugs in a car before.. i read this thread and was waiting for it to be a living hell, well, i took both front wheels off(i also do not have any inner fender wells), and had a long extension and i didnt have much trouble on any of them really.. the only thing that gave me problems was the wires, lol.. they didnt want to budge and it was a bitch to push them onto the distributor.

[RickRock]

I just did mine. Even with disconnecting the steering shaft it was still a MAJOR PITA. Not as bad as a transverse mounted v6, but it was still a biotch. Mainly because my truck ate 3 extensions, but I found them on the lower a arm afterwards....
Maybe next time I'll try going through the wheel well, but I couldn't jack it up on my soggy gravel driveway.

[ridnlo98]

I have a 98 s-10 and all I did was take a spark plug socket and grind it down till it was short enough to fit on the plug between the steering shaft!

[Jamesdacanuck]

I bought a swiveling spark plug socket like this one...



With the swivel built in, it makes it shorter and I was able to clear the steering column by going under the column via the wheel well. Took no time at all.

[s10blazerman4x4]

I bought the same socket other day at Autozone. 5 bucks I think, havent got to use it since they sold me the wrong plugs.

[sdaukes]

We too wasnt able to fit a rachet nor a wrench on the spark plug socket to remove the #3 spark plug. My dad and mine solution did take some more time to do but after making this tool will make this less of a problem and not have to move the intermediate shaft. The idea is to extend the hex head of the plug socket out past the exhaust mani so we could use a speed wrench in the small space. We took a 7/16 bolt, cut it down. and grouned/filed a 3/8 square head to fit into a socket.
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sorry about the pics where taken on a phone but hopefully it gets the idea acrossed

[2separate]

If you use a 1/4" drive flex extention and ratchet with your spark plug socket(with the 3/8"-1/4" reducer) It works just fine! That's if the person before you reefed it in than you snap something 1/4". Or yeah, remove the steering shaft......whatever!! It's usually not a rush anyways.

[mikeemon]

Snap-On sells a special spark plug socket to get this.

S9723

[What?]

OK finally, i did a how to pic with process and clear pics, i forgot to bring the converter to upload vid so ill do that tonight, no special tool is needed

[redrumisgod]

spark plug socekt with a wrench is how i do it turning it is slow but dont got to take steering shaft out

[mjbell1@rcn.com]

Good write up, should do the trick.

mjbell1

[What?]

once its loosen, if i can hand remove, i just remove rest and leave the socket in and loosen it by hand then let it fell out, then reverse procedure, done and done

[MikeInCtown]

*What the Def Mod* has it right except I don't use the swivel extension. I use a Craftsman 5/8" spark plug socket and take the rubber plug holder out. It slides onto the plug and then I put the entension in loosely. This removes the plug easily. To put the plug back in, I start it by hand which isn't easy considering I have big hands. Then I slide the socket back on and tighten. Remove the socket only after you pull the extensions off as you need the room. I have the rubber protectors on the fenders and I have never had a problem. The other plugs on the engine take maybe a half hour total as they are easy to get to.

Last, make sure you use the dialectric grease on the boots to make it easier to get the old ones off. Works equally well on dist and plug ends.

[jaysextreme]

ditto on the snap on socket it works great! serious time saver!

[Yogi]

I changed my plugs yesterday, and I was so looking forward to just pulling the steering shaft and getting right to the #3 plug. However, I found out the hard way that the shaft won't slide (telescope) on a Blazer with tilt steering. I must have wasted an hour trying to make it work. I took the tires off, put a socket on #3, and used an offset box wrench on the socket to get it. Still quite difficult but it finally worked.

Hey, What? (The Deaf Mod). I wish that I had the access that you show in your pic. On my '98 Blazer the steering shaft goes directly in front of the #3 plug. I should've taken a pic, but there is no way to get an extension into the socket on mine. The shaft is directly in line with the socket.

[Mcfly Minis]

I just replace the other 5 plugs. That one stays. lol

[3700]

Quote: Originally Posted by Yogi

I changed my plugs yesterday, and I was so looking forward to just pulling the steering shaft and getting right to the #3 plug. However, I found out the hard way that the shaft won't slide (telescope) on a Blazer with tilt steering. I must have wasted an hour trying to make it work. I took the tires off, put a socket on #3, and used an offset box wrench on the socket to get it. Still quite difficult but it finally worked.

Hey, What? (The Deaf Mod). I wish that I had the access that you show in your pic. On my '98 Blazer the steering shaft goes directly in front of the #3 plug. I should've taken a pic, but there is no way to get an extension into the socket on mine. The shaft is directly in line with the socket.

universal joint

[Crew Cab Sonoma]

no room for a universal joint on many of these trucks....
on the two trucks ive owned, you cant even get just the socket by itself onto the plug, because of how close the shaft is, and its directly in front of the plug.

i`ve said it before: just pull the steering shaft... it really just isnt hard to do.
use a large pry bar to slide it off the steering box.

i can R&R my steering shaft in less than 5 minutes.... that includes the airbox...

also, no need to remove the wheels.... just jack up, (and properly support) the front of the truck, just high enough to get the wheels off the ground.... top of the tire will be sufficently out of the way on most trucks.

[Yogi]

Quote: Originally Posted by Crew Cab Sonoma

.....i`ve said it before: just pull the steering shaft... it really just isnt hard to do.
use a large pry bar to slide it off the steering box.

i can R&R my steering shaft in less than 5 minutes.... that includes the airbox...

But the steering shaft doesn't slide on a Blazer with tilt steering.

[Crew Cab Sonoma]

Quote: Originally Posted by Yogi

But the steering shaft doesn't slide on a Blazer with tilt steering.

sure about that? should be the same as the pickups.
you did remove the retaining bolt, right?
if so, maybe yours just needs a little more persuasion to free it...

i just installed plugs in a 96 Blazer (with tilt wheel) last weekend.
the shaft slid off just like my truck...
had 151,000 miles on the ORIGINAL plugs.....

[NotaDime]

my deepwell socket and ratchet work on BOTH my 4.3's without any extensions or swivals.

you guys sometimes make things harder then they are.

oh yea, and i did a tuneup on BOTH last weekend. simple.

Quote: Originally Posted by MikeInCtown

I use a Craftsman 5/8" spark plug socket and take the rubber plug holder out.

i cut 75% of the rubber out.

Quote: Originally Posted by Yogi

However, I found out the hard way that the shaft won't slide (telescope) on a Blazer with tilt steering. I must have wasted an hour trying to make it work.

pull harder! sit in the drivers seat and YANK the wheel towards your chest. it WILL come out, thats the only way to remove it.
i have a blazer tilt wheel in my truck, there the same.

[Crew Cab Sonoma]

Quote: Originally Posted by NotaDime

my deepwell socket and ratchet work on BOTH my 4.3's without any extensions or swivals.

you guys sometimes make things harder then they are.

that might work on some, but on others, mine included, that will NEVER happen on #3 without pulling the shaft......

Quote:

pull harder! sit in the drivers seat and YANK the wheel towards your chest. it WILL come out, thats the only way to remove it.
i have a blazer tilt wheel in my truck, there the same.

what the....yank on the steering wheel???

[RickRock]

my shaft telescoped, and I have tilt.

[BudRacing]

My 99 Blazer has tilt and I had no problems moving my shaft out of the way.

[Yogi]

I guess that after 10 years and 206,000 miles, something was stuck on mine. And yes, I did pull the bolt on the shaft coupling clamp.

[Crew Cab Sonoma]

yeah they can be a bit tough to break free the first time.
just use a 2-3ft. pry bar against the back of the steering box to free it up.
use a little penetrating oil too.

[Yogi]

It was free at the steering box. I could slide the shaft about 3/16" up and down at the coupling. Going up, it felt like something was hitting in the upper end. I thought it must have been the tilt mechanism.

[naha_music]

Ok, I just finished up changing my #3 spark plug by moving the steering shaft out of the way, and I can tell everyone right now that it's alot more simple than everyone is making it out to be.

I have a '01 blazer 4.3 4x4, and I am one of the unfortunate ones that can't get to the plug because of the shaft being in the way. The first thing I did was remove the air box to get to the shaft. Took literally like a minute to pull the air box out. Next was getting the plastic boot off of the shaft, which wasn't too hard either. Unfortunately my boot broke from pulling it too hard (nothing a few zip ties can't fix!) Then the 11mm bolt was right there. I had to turn the steering wheel alittle to the left to get at it better. Once the bolt was removed, i got large screw driver and wedged it apart. I was able to wiggle the shaft by hand until it started telescoping and was disconnected from the steering box. After that, I just moved the shaft out of the way and changed the plug.

After everything was done, I just aligned the splines on the shaft to the steering box and lightly tapped on it with a hammer until the shaft was seated back in the joint. Then I put everything back together.

This process was SO much easier that others ways I've tryed in the past. From start to finish (opening the hood to closing it), it took exactly 12 minutes.

[Bill Wheats]

That's the right way to do it. Of course the first time I pulled that plug, I did it the hard way. Barely getting the socket to turn then using a piece of heater hose.
Glad it wasn't a V8 Vega.
Wish I had seen this thread first.

[Corolla_Frenzy]

I put the socket wrench on without pushing the button and it worked for me. It's been a few years since, so I don't remember all of it.
All the plugs are easy cheesy when the engine is out

[Dick W.]

Just changed plug on #3, bought swivel spark plug socket from Oreillys for six dollars. I would have taken wheel off anyway to access the other plugs. Why on earth would you not take tire off and have a direct shot at all spark plugs?

[Jimmys_4_life]

Can you please re-post these pics

I know its from 2006 that this was made

[Yogi]

This thread was initiated by rlith. The pics in other posts by him have also gone away. Haven't seen him post here lately also. Must have sold his truck and moved on.

[Jimmys_4_life]

Quote: Originally Posted by Yogi

This thread was initiated by rlith. The pics in other posts by him have also gone away. Haven't seen him post here lately also. Must have sold his truck and moved on.

So you just did your plugs???

Besides #3 did any others give you a issue

Im thinking of just leaving number #3 for now but don't know if any others are a real pain

Also would you have a pic of this bolt etc that everyone is talking about

[Yogi]

Quote: Originally Posted by Jimmys_4_life

So you just did your plugs???

Besides #3 did any others give you a issue

Im thinking of just leaving number #3 for now but don't know if any others are a real pain

Also would you have a pic of this bolt etc that everyone is talking about

Yeah, I did mine a couple of months ago. #3 was the only hard one. The rest are easily accessible through the wheel wells.

No pics of the bolt, but it's easy to find. Pull the air filter box. Next remove the plastic rock shield over the end of the steering shaft right above the gearbox. The rock shield is a plastic clamshell affair that splits in two, like a clamshell. Just pry it open with a screwdriver. Once you get the rock shield open you will see the bolt. It's on the end of the shaft where it goes into the gearbox.

[jzaz1zaz]

I have been able to get to mine with the swivel socket but one I break it loose it jams ups against the shaft so I use a long piece of rubber fuel line to take it out and to get the new one started, slides right over the top of the plug and it works like a charm.

[crawdaddy]

Great thread....saved me a lot of time and it was easy as can be.

[Raylo]

I must be lucky with my 1994 w motor. I was able to do all the plugs from the top and #3 was no particular issue. I have enough clearance to slide a short 3/8" extension under the shaft, keeping the socket aligned properly on the plug, and get the ratchet onto that. It's a tight fit but it works.

If you guys really want a challenge go try a LT1 f-body (I'm sure some of you probably have). Take off wheels and take off y-pipe to get at the "easy" ones. Then set aside a couple hours (or more) just to get #2. :-/

[MikeInCtown]

Just did the #3 again on my 96 2wd.

Slip Craftsman spark plug socket minus the rubber sleeve onto plug. Insert 8" or longer extension and ratchet and loosen. Pull old plug when all the way loose. Insert new plug into hole and turn by hand until it's in as far as you can go by hand. Slide socket abck on, tighten, then put plug wire back on.

Took me all of 10 minutes and I didn't have to loosen up any steering shaft or anything else. (must go through wheel well.) I also ALWAYS use anti sieze and personally use the Permatex copper stuff as it's high heat tolerant. I never have any problems removing or installing the plugs.

[skunk0526]

Purchased spark plug removal set from advance auto which included a ratchet, 2 plug sockets, a swivel, & extension for $20. Didn't' have to remove wheels or telescope steering shaft on my 93 4.3l
(W) s-10 blazer 4dr 4x4. Maybe i got lucky that the swivel/socket setup was just short enough to break the seal. I did, however have to remove the swivel & loosen the rest by hand due to the fact that the whole setup backs out right into the steering shaft.

Long & short: Auto part store tools & a little patience is all it took for my project. sorry to hear some of you had a bad time of it.

[Solid10]

i can get to all my spark plugs while leaning over the fender!
Yes #3 is the test.
GM figured "ehh we can't make it TOO easy"
I used Snap-Ons spark plug ratchet last time, it swivels and is a real help.
BUt when i don't have that i just put a swivelling knuckle on the sparkplug socket and maybe an extension and break that baby loose.

[jchris]

"loosen it by hand then let it fell out, then reverse procedure, done and done"


Maybe this doesnt REALLY need to be asked, but in reversing the procedure, how did you get the new plug to "fall in" before tightening it?

Seriously though, I didnt have to remove my shaft either, and I have a 97.

Turning the shaft so that the flat part of the column was horizontal, I was able to work a egular spark plug socket on the plug, then bent a 3/4 wrench about 45 degrees and was able to free it that way.

Vacuum hose was a necessity though to rethread the new plug, cause my hands are just too damn big to get between the column and the heat shield, but you know what they say about big hands...or maybe my wife is lying to me!

[BLZR1]

I HAD TO remove the shaft - I tried wedging the socket between #3 and the steering shaft...nothing.

Removing the shaft at the joint was very easy and wham - easy access to the PITA #3. This helped a ton. Except now my steering wheel is crooked....

[tmaxxs10]

Had no problems with mine. Must be the 2" body lift. With the lift it moves the shaft out of the way.

[Merritt]

I changed mine this past weekend and we took a 3/4" wrench and cut it to about 2 1/2" long and put it on the end of the spark plug socket and it worked like a charm, now I just got to go get another wrench.

[Merritt]

Quote: Originally Posted by Merritj2417

I changed mine this past weekend and we took a 3/4" wrench and cut it to about 2 1/2" long and put it on the end of the spark plug socket and it worked like a charm, now I just got to go get another wrench.

[circa]

Quote: Originally Posted by 1lowGMC

I just replace the other 5 plugs. That one stays. lol

Rofl.


I just bought an SLP Socket, we will see how it works this weekend.

[boros10]

damn I wish the pictures worked oh well, I think I got the idea, im doing plugs on friday so ill let you know how it went.

[BudRacing]

It's a lot easier than some make it out to be.

[Jah]

i just go through my wheel well.