i have a 1994 Bravada with the 4.3 W Vortec. how hard is to remove the #3
plug? i dont like using u-joints. i was thinking of buying the Cratsman 3?8 breaker bar, also the wires are hard to remove.

Plugs should not be that tight, that you need a breaker bar to remove them.......bet they are aluminum heads and the threads are seized. Anti-seize should have been used when they were installed.

__________________
Home Handyman Forum I Shade Tree Mechanic Forum

not to worry, they are still cast iron heads. you're right with the swivel(like it or not). #3 is blocked by the intermediate steering shaft. you can get to it with a swivel plug socket and a very long extension through the fendewell.
push up the rubber extesion on the inner fender and go in over the frame.
really not that bad to do. hope this helps.

According to Weimer...the way to get to the plug is to remove the steering shaft, which is relatively easy and the correct way to do it. He said his neighbor fought for hours trying to get the plug out and Weimer went over, removed the shaft and had it done in a matter of minutes.

thanks for the info!

The wires probably didnt see any die-electric grease on them... i have one of these http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...pid=00947068000 that works good to help remove stuck wires, hope that helps.

you got the post link?

I'm not a huge fan of using u-joints either, but I found a spark plug socket that has u-joint built right into the drive of it. It was around $7 at the local Fleet Farm. Seldom do I change plugs now without it. Also, the extra inch or so for the joint in it gives that bit of extra clearance to get past the heat shields.


Oldschool, that's the same tool I own. You didn't raid my toolbox to "borrow it", did you? J/K! Good money spent on a very usable tool.


In a while, Chet.

__________________
It's not what you take with you when you leave, it's what you leave behind you when you go.

My Monte Carlo Addicts site

No swivel sockets? How can anyone work on a vehicle without them, i consider them the most inmportant set of sockets i own, especially on engine work and transmission's. Alot of times people cause more damage and strip the head off because they try to get a regular socket.

How do you guys not use swivel sockets?

Brendan