sunvet

This may seem a simple problem, but I bought some
new plugs, then went home to install them.
Problem is, I can't get the spark plug connectors
off! The manual says to twist them, ya, right.

Any suggestions?

-Jim

Quacker

grab the boot at the plug and rotate it (twist) 180deg. back and forth

Jack Behrle

I just did mine and found that using pliers helps tremendously. You need to grip the heat shield on the edge so you don't crush it but this gives you a better grip than trying to use your hands.

Whatever you do,do not try to remove them by pulling on the wires. That is guaranteed to rip them apart from the shield. (I did but I was replacing the wires anyway...)

MDT

sunvet,

Here's a little secret that I stumbled onto when I changed mine. ;) If you have the stock wires that you want to remove....notice that there is an 11/16 in, hex molded into the end of the boot.

Take an oxygen sensor socket (has a slit in the side for the wire to protrude) and slip it over the hex of the boot and twist away. :) If necessary place an open end wrench on the hex of the oxygen socket.

Unforturnately I was on the last plug before I figured out this procedure :cry .....but it worked great on #1.

Good luck.
Mark :seeya

TenaciousD

For me it was a matter of "pull harder than I really thought was safe" to get them off. They feel tight as hell, but twisting and pulling at the same time will get them to eventually wriggle off. Same thing for taking out the plugs - I thought I was going to seriously break something putting that much force on the plugs, but at a certain level they just came loose. If you're like me, and it's the first time you're really doing anything to the engine, it's disconcerting to have to use so much force on these things :)

99 Corvette

I never had this problem. I just grabbed the heat shield and yanked them off :smash:

Jerry

sunvet

OK, thanks guys. I like the Oxygen wrench approach.
It also looks like, don't force it, get a bigger hammer.
:smash:

-Jim

Crushinator

I found they came off easier by grabbing the boot instead of the heat shield. Just wiggle them back and forth and they'll come off.

vettenuts

I grabbed the hex on the boot, twisted 1/2 turn and then pulled them off. Sounds easier then it is. I found this harder then the plug change.