Tahoe #8 Spark Plug access

[OR VietVet]

@Rocket Man came up with a great way to remove it. Use a long enough deep 5/8" socket, not a spark plug socket, and a 3/8" ratchet and it works. If you have a deep 5/8" 1/4'' drive socket that you can use with a 1/4" ratchet and break loose, that works too. I have a 1/4" breaker bar to break it loose. Plus, I am surprised no one has said that the 5/8" spark plug socket has a 6 point head on it. Use an open end wrench on that to break loose the plug and unthread the plug. It can be done pretty easy if you get creative.

 

[George B]

@Rocket Man came up with a great way to remove it. Use a long enough deep 5/8" socket, not a spark plug socket, and a 3/8" ratchet and it works. If you have a deep 5/8" 1/4'' drive socket that you can use with a 1/4" ratchet and break loose, that works too. I have a 1/4" breaker bar to break it loose. Plus, I am surprised no one has said that the 5/8" spark plug socket has a 6 point head on it. Use an open end wrench on that to break loose the plug and unthread the plug. It can be done pretty easy if you get creative.

Rocket man uses the spark plug socket with the six point hex and then a regular 3/4 socket on that hex.

 

[OR VietVet]

Rocket man uses the spark plug socket with the six point hex and then a regular 3/4 socket on that hex.

That's not the way it was described to me. If you use a 5/8" spark plug socket and then add a 3/4" socket on that, I am assuming a shallow socket, and then a ratchet on that, is that not too deep/long at that point? What am I missing?

 

[B-train]

Nice post. They are definitely a PITA. After being both a mechanic and then working in engineering I can tell you that the designers who have a computer screen with perfect fitting parts never think twice about what the REAL finished product requires. Had MANY meetings about these sort of things. However, profit usually wins out over practicality in the long run. Luckily you'll only have to visit that fella 2 times in the vehicles life on average.

 

[George B]

That's not the way it was described to me. If you use a 5/8" spark plug socket and then add a 3/4" socket on that, I am assuming a shallow socket, and then a ratchet on that, is that not too deep/long at that point? What am I missing?

I found the post where he describes it.

If you put a regular depth socket on the plug socket instead of a wrench it’s the perfect length for a ratchet.

 

[OR VietVet]

I found the post where he describes it.
View attachment 380618

I thought that was the way you and I both described it. I am assuming that the shallow 3/4 socket is to get the right space needed for the ratchet head to clear the manifold/shield in that area. Ok.

 

[Roger08LTZ]

I found the post where he describes it.
View attachment 380618

This likely would have helped me had I known this trick, but I still think pulling down the liner is easier. One factor my plugs seem like they were installed by the local tire shop, I needed to use a pipe to get the plugs broken free. They also resisted all of the way out. I was very concerned the threads were damaged, but the new plugs went in fine and I was able to tighten them all to the 11 Ft Lbs spec. So I think I'm good.

 

[OR VietVet]

This likely would have helped me had I known this trick, but I still think pulling down the liner is easier. One factor my plugs seem like they were installed by the local tire shop, I needed to use a pipe to get the plugs broken free. They also resisted all of the way out. I was very concerned the threads were damaged, but the new plugs went in fine and I was able to tighten them all to the 11 Ft Lbs spec. So I think I'm good.

I hope you read the recent thread about using a small dab of anti-seize on the threads of the spark plug before installing in the aluminum head.

 

[Doubeleive]

geez you guys must have never worked on a japanese car working on these trucks is a breeze by comparison, #8 doesn't take any longer nor is it any harder than any other plug
spark plug socket and then adapt down to a 1/4 ratchet, throw a breaker over the small ratchet, wammo done

 

[Geotrash]

I have a flex head ratchet and a ton of different extension lengths and found a combo that was easy.

When I did my cam swap I pulled everything from the side, including the plugs, and it was super easy that way. Pulling the wheel well liner out takes 5 minutes plus the time to Jack up the car and pull the tire, and presto! Easy peasy #8 access.