Spark Plug Spanner

[NickOcean]

So I have more tools than your average d.i.y. guy, but in all my socket sets could i find a socket that i could fit squarley on the plugs that wasnt too long or to short to get the wrench on or jamming up against the inner wings, or not get stuck rubbing up to the manifolds and pushing it off square as i turned it. . Especially number 8. Constantly dropping the socket where it would get stuck. In the end I cut down an old box spanner. But that got snarled up by rubbing on the manifold so it wasnt true on the bolt faces, and very tedious turning the bar a quarter at a time!. Took me ages to get them in and out, even now im not happy they nipped up enough.

Someone out there post what they use, there are various types but i dont need another useless spark plug spanner to add to my collection of useless spark plug spanners.

Much appreciate the help.

[sixor8]

No 8 really is a pain. When I bought my Griff, no 8 was still an older plug, only 1 to 7 had been changed at the previous service.

Do you not have a flexible joint in a socket set like this?


With a combination of wrenches and extensions, I'm able to get all plugs out if necessary. I use the long plug socket from a socket set too.

[SlimJim16v]

I think you can get plug sockets with built in flexi, so even more compact.

[Sardonicus]

Use 3/8 drive with short wobble extension and although I could show you Snap-On my first choice these Halfords advanced thin walled also work just as well for this job because someone else recently wanted the same advice, no need for clumpy UJ's but a flexi head ratchet is useful https://www.halfords.com/motoring/tools/hand-tools...

[_Rodders_]

Did mine last week using standard Halfords tool box.

[NickOcean]

YES IVE GOT SEVER FLEXIBLE EXTENTIONS - I STILL COULDNT GET A WRENCH ON IT WITH MUCH ROOM TO TURN, AND WITH THE EXTENSION BARS I HAVE THE WHOLE THING WAS TOO LONG, YES IT WORK BUT STILL A FAFF, AT LEAST MAYBE UNTIL YOU GET THE KNACK OF IT.

[sixor8]

_Rodders_ said:

Did mine last week using standard Halfords tool box.

As you'll mine is Halfords too. Had one of their socket sets for over 40 years. Had to replace a couple of lost ones though.

[PabloGee]

It's totally a TVR manifold design, and it was clearly all about fitting the engine and the chassis together, not helping anyone changing spark plugs (let alone exhaust manifold gaskets).

I ended up with a 6 part tool, partly with adapters required to work with my small torque wrench, and then to size-up for my deeper spark plug socket. This might be something that can be simplified, just not in my toolbox.
I also have acquired a wide variety of tools over the years, and probably buy a new tool every other week.

[Belle427]

A swivel headed ratchet spanner may help if it fits on the hex of the spark plug socket, cant say I ever tried it though.

[DVR V8]

When i give mine it's annual service and clean the plugs i find it easy to run the plugs in and out with a rubber tube, and it avoids any cross threading with it being alloy then nip them up with what Mr Pablogee uses .

[NickOcean]

That is an excellent idea - just what i was after - i can use some of that very expensive rubber fuel line i have 12 inches too much of ! Why didnt i think of that. Genius

[DVR V8]

NickOcean said:

That is an excellent idea - just what i was after - i can use some of that very expensive rubber fuel line i have 12 inches too much of ! Why didnt i think of that. Genius

Cheers, just told my wife I'm a genius and she just laughed. Other items that have helped over the last 22 years are a ratchet strap to pull the manifolds in to align to y piece after gasket change, pipe clamps for the fuel filter to avoid fuel all over your face, walnut wedges to hammer the sump off, solid nylon jacking point spacers and a cut down allen key for rear caliper top bolt. Regards.

[NickOcean]

this is exactly why i signed up to Piston Heads, Let others do the headscratching and the frustrations so i dont have to!