Need help with changing spark plugs URGENT

[rida125]

ok so the back three spark plugs. i found them and everything. so if im standing on the passenger side of the car which way should i be ratcheting, should i be pulling the ratchet towards me or pushing to get the plugs out?

Ok i also broke the top off of one plug in the back, what should i do, the nut part is still in the bottom screwed in?

[worknprog.99]

always lefty loosy just set the ratchet to loosen and your good

[rida125]

ok so if i broke the only one i have tryed because it wont come out, what should i do to be able to get the other ones out, if they are all stuck in like that.

My car is an 2001 and has nearly 222000 miles and the plugs have never been changed, so what can i do if the plugs are like stuck in there. wont even move???

Originally Posted by worknprog.99

always lefty loosy just set the ratchet to loosen and your good

lol i have a cheap ratchet, ok so lefty would be towards me if im standing on the passenger side.

[surreal_awakening]

Originally Posted by rida125

ok so the back three spark plugs. i found them and everything. so if im standing on the passenger side of the car which way should i be ratcheting, should i be pulling the ratchet towards me or pushing to get the plugs out?

Ok i also broke the top off of one plug in the back, what should i do, the nut part is still in the bottom screwed in?

If the nut part is still in there, then put the socket back on the nut and try again. As someone else said, lefty loosy righty tighty.

Originally Posted by rida125

ok so if i broke the only one i have tryed because it wont come out, what should i do to be able to get the other ones out, if they are all stuck in like that.

My car is an 2001 and has nearly 222000 miles and the plugs have never been changed, so what can i do if the plugs are like stuck in there. wont even move???

lol i have a cheap ratchet, ok so lefty would be towards me if im standing on the passenger side.

You need a long-ish (2' or so) piece of pipe to slip over the end of your ratchet. It will give you the leverage you need. Then just put slow, steady pressure (don't bounce) and they should come loose.

And left means counter clockwise, right clockwise.

[rida125]

ok ill go try again. thanks but if you guys have any more loose change of ways to get this f-er out please just throw it out here.

[rida125]

ok i went out and tryed again, but the bolt part is stripping, im using a 5/8" spark plug socket. What should i do?

[rida125]

ok yeah, i called a repair place they said that it probably just wont come out now, that they would have to dig down there and get it out a different way.

[worknprog.99]

if its striped too much to the point the right size wont work wedge on a size smaller and hope it holds till it gets loos...

[surreal_awakening]

I guess I'm confused. The part with the 'nut' is still down there, right? Is it rounded off? If it's rounded off, you can get sockets that are made for extracting rounded nuts. But I didn't get the impression it was rounded. It sounded like you just broke the top off. I don't know why you couldn't just put the socket back on it and try again?

[natedawg9640]

also... if you get the ratched wedged on and ready to turn... don't hammer on the handle to try and break it looses... you're better off getting a pipe to slip over the ratchet handle to gain more leverage and slowly increase pressure. soak it with pb blaster for a while

[Kilroy]

CLOCKWISE tightens, and ANTI-CLOCKWISE loosens. The "Lefty Lucy - Righty Tighty" rule applies if the ratchet STARTS at the 12 O'clock position ONLY!!!!!

[rida125]

ok well i got a socket that fits, and i didnt have enough strength to get it with just the ratchet, i loaded it up with WD-40 a few min ago, im going to let it sit for a few more min and see what happens.

The pipe idea is good.

[surreal_awakening]

Originally Posted by Kilroy

CLOCKWISE tightens, and ANTI-CLOCKWISE loosens. The "Lefty Lucy - Righty Tighty" rule applies if the ratchet STARTS at the 12 O'clock position ONLY!!!!!

Well, I suppose if you want to get all technical and shit LOL

[rida125]

/\/\ LOL

ok so why did the top of the plug break off, is it something i did, or was it because it was old?

[surreal_awakening]

If the way I envision it is correct, I suppose with that many miles on it the ceramic part may have become brittle and snapped off when you just put a bit too much pressure on it at the wrong angle. Or I could be talking out my ass, I dunno!

[rida125]

ok so i found a socket that fits it good, but it just wont budge. i have used like half a can of WD-40 and its not doing anything. I dont have a pipe to try that method. Any more ideas?

Originally Posted by surreal_awakening

If the way I envision it is correct, I suppose with that many miles on it the ceramic part may have become brittle and snapped off when you just put a bit too much pressure on it at the wrong angle. Or I could be talking out my ass, I dunno!

yeah thats what i think i did.

[natedawg9640]

Originally Posted by rida125

ok so i found a socket that fits it good, but it just wont budge. i have used like half a can of WD-40 and its not doing anything. I dont have a pipe to try that method. Any more ideas?



yeah thats what i think i did.

get a pipe. or... if you have a large box end wrench, you can apply the same principle by putting the ratchet handle through the box end and using that as an extension of the handle to generate more leverage...

[surreal_awakening]

Yup, what natedawg said. You need something to extend the socket handle and give you more leverage. Leverage is your friend. The WD40 will only go so far. PB Blaster is better at breaking old bolts loose, but you've gotta get leverage somehow. Keep digging for something to use to add leverage.

[rida125]

i tryed using a wooden broom handle the handle broke

[natedawg9640]

lol... wtf...

well do what you gotta do... easiest thing is an impact... next easiest thing it a length of pipe... next easiest is a large wrench. then it goes down hill from there...