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How To: Change #3 spark plug

119K views 260 replies 177 participants last post by  Rhotpursuit 
#1 · (Edited)
So many threads have gotten started asking how to change the #3 plug because the intermediate shaft is in the way. "Typically" people say to wedge the socket on, use a wobble, this that an the other thing. They end up fighting with something they don't have to.

So I've decided to show the "EASIEST" way to change the #3 spark plug, (It is by no means the only way). My how-to can be done in about 5 minutes.

Tools needed.
11mm socket
Socket Wrench
2 or 3 Extensions
Flathead screw driver (or prybar if rusty)


Step 1: Turn your wheels straight and leave the ignition key forward enough to keep the steering wheel unlocked.

Step 2: Open the rag joint cover at the base of the intermediate steering shaft.

Step 3: Remove the 11mm bolt at the base of the intermeiate

Here in the picture we see the plastic rag joint cover. The red arrow points to the circled 11mm bolt that has to be removed.



Here is a pic of the bolt removed



Step 4: Use a large flat head screw driver at the base and pry outwards. The steering shaft will start telescoping in on itself. (If your intermediate shaft is a bit rusty, simply spray the shaft with wd40 or similar and use a prybar instead of the screwdriver. Don't worry about prying to hard, the shaft can take a lot. )



Step 5: Lift Steering shaft out of the way (don't worry, the top is fairly mobile)



Do not worry about how you put the shaft back on. The shaft and the splines on the steering box are keyed. (Meaning it only goes on one way) Avoid spinning your steering wheel all the way around though. You don't want to bust the clock spring in the steering wheel.



Here we now see the # 3 plug fully accesable. Simply use a couple of extensions and a spark plug socket to remove.



When putting in new spark plugs, even if you are told they are pre-gapped, take no chances. Check your gap with a gap tool. It's a .25 cent tool, get one! Also you can spread anti-seize on the threads of the sparkplug so you don't have difficulty later. Also use dialectric grease inside the plug boots. This way you won't have a prob when you need to pull them off later and it will create a better contact between the wire and the plug.

Here is a shot of the AC-Delco Rapidfires that I installed. Note the gold tone, that is the anti-seize.



Total time to change all 6 plugs was 20 minutes. This includes collapsing and reinstalling the intermediate shaft. This way you don't have to worry about trying to work other tools in there.
 
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#2 ·
Re: How-to change the PITA #3 spark plug

not tryin to say this way isn't a good solution but, why not just do it an easier way..? Put the plug socket on and use a wrench on the end of the socket to loosen/tighten it? worked for me just fine.
 
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#175 ·
Re: How-to change the PITA #3 spark plug

not tryin to say this way isn't a good solution but, why not just do it an easier way..? Put the plug socket on and use a wrench on the end of the socket to loosen/tighten it? worked for me just fine.
when i did my 2.2l to 4.3 swap, i sat there for about 30 mins try to figure out how the change that thing. will after about half a pack of smokes that what i end up doing. a socket that you could get a wrench and and just did that. lol
 
#3 ·
Re: How-to change the PITA #3 spark plug

zoideraserb said:
not tryin to say this way isn't a good solution but, why not just do it an easier way..? Put the plug socket on and use a wrench on the end of the socket to loosen/tighten it? worked for me just fine.
A lot of the time that can't be done. The positioning doesn't allow you to even get it on top of there. Your solution works if you're one of the lucky ones, but if you're like mine there isn't a way to do that. My solution works for everyone and it's quick.
 
#7 ·
Re: How-to change the PITA #3 spark plug

Bennelton said:
the socket and wrench did NOT work for me. I change my plugs the same way as was demonstrated except it takes me much longer since i have to put the truck up on stands, remove y-pipe, remove headers, and then remove plugs.
Even with the Edlebrocks I've never had to do that, wtf do you have in there? :(
 
#8 ·
Re: How-to change the PITA #3 spark plug

Yeh but it depends though doesnt it if your first gen second gen. I noticed the guys with the socket and wrench are first gens where rlith you got a 95 which is alot tighter than a first gen.
 
#10 ·
Re: How-to change the PITA #3 spark plug

s10blazerman4x4 said:
Yeh but it depends though doesnt it if your first gen second gen. I noticed the guys with the socket and wrench are first gens where rlith you got a 95 which is alot tighter than a first gen.
Hmm, didn't think of that...:) So let us say this is better served for the 95 and up... :p
 
#13 ·
Re: How-to change the PITA #3 spark plug

zoideraserb said:
not tryin to say this way isn't a good solution but, why not just do it an easier way..? Put the plug socket on and use a wrench on the end of the socket to loosen/tighten it? worked for me just fine.
wErd. Works perfect everytime.
 
#14 ·
Re: How-to change the PITA #3 spark plug

good write up rlith, maybe this will help convince some people that moving the steering shaft out of the way isnt hard at all.....

and for those who say: "just put a socktet on and turn it with a wrench", understand that on some trucks you can get away with this.... and some you simply CAN NOT do it. there just isnt enough space to get a socket on #3 with the shaft in the way. like my truck.
 
#15 ·
Re: How-to change the PITA #3 spark plug

Damn, wish I woulda known it was that easy to get the steering shaft off last time I changed my plugs. I had to fsck with the damn thing for an hour before I got that plug out. I ended up putting the socket on the plug, tying a piece of rope to the box end of a 3/4" wrench, dropping the wrench down there from the top side, getting my wife to position the wrench on the socket, and then pulling the rope from the top side to get it loose!
 
#16 ·
Re: How-to change the PITA #3 spark plug

Crew Cab Sonoma said:
good write up rlith, maybe this will help convince some people that moving the steering shaft out of the way isnt hard at all.....

and for those who say: "just put a socktet on and turn it with a wrench", understand that on some trucks you can get away with this.... and some you simply CAN NOT do it. there just isnt enough space to get a socket on #3 with the shaft in the way. like my truck.
Exactly. All of the "socket and wrench works fine on all trucks" people have obviously never worked on one that it really doesn't work on. Mine's included on that list, too.
 
#18 ·
Re: How-to change the PITA #3 spark plug

On my dads 95 blazer, All I did was slap the spark plug socket on there, and use a real short 3/4 wrenched on the end of it, to break it loose. Any normal 3/4 wrench WILL hit the firewall and prevent it from working, but I found one in my garage that was about a quarter inch shorter and worked like a charm.
 
#20 ·
Re: How-to change the PITA #3 spark plug

As a mechanic....I never knew this was even an issue...but I guess right tools for the right job....anytime I do an s10 I put it up on the rack and remove the front tires....then I lift the wheel well skirts and do them through there...I do most v6 and v8 chevy trucks and vans that way...I have a spark plug socket built onto an extension that has a swivel on it that moves a long ways...I paid 7.99 for it at harbor freight and it works great for a lot of cars!! Just a thought!
 
#22 ·
Re: How-to change the PITA #3 spark plug

Or you can install a 2" body lift. Made changing my spark plugs super easy.
 
#23 ·
Re: How-to change the PITA #3 spark plug

sonoma-project said:
Or you can install a 2" body lift. Made changing my spark plugs super easy.
Heh, I have a 2" bl on mine and I still remove the intermediate shaft... Again, only takes a couple of minutes and makes it much easier...
 
#24 ·
Re: How-to change the PITA #3 spark plug

zoideraserb said:
not tryin to say this way isn't a good solution but, why not just do it an easier way..? Put the plug socket on and use a wrench on the end of the socket to loosen/tighten it? worked for me just fine.
That's how I did it also. I'm glad I didn't need to remove the steering shaft.
 
#25 ·
Re: How-to change the PITA #3 spark plug

Glad I found this thread! I just got done chaning 5 of my 6 plugs and decided to call it quits b/c I spend longer trying to get #3 out than I spent on the rest combined (and it was getting dark).

I've got an 00 4.3 4wd blazer, so I will post back here sometime this weekend as to whether or not the wrench and socket combo worked, or if I had to remove the shaft.

P.S. the plugs I took off were the original AC's......109k miles :doh: (I just bought it, so don't yell at me!)
 
#26 ·
Re: How-to change the PITA #3 spark plug

I had to remove the shaft. My spark plug socket didn't stick out far enough to get a wrench on it, and even if it did, my wrench was too long to maneuver around, and even if it were shorter, I still don't think there would have been enough room.

Steering shaft was quite easy to get off, 11 mm bolt is correct.

Getting it back on was the hardest. I had to use a pry bar to get it back on. Still wasn't *that* hard.
 
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