Spark plug wire removal tips?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 170
Likes: 3
From: Buffalo Grove Illinois
Spark plug wire removal tips?
This morning I wanted to get out the stock platinum plugs with 32,000 on them and put in some Delco 41-985 iridium.
I am stuck on getting the boots off the plugs. i can get them off the coils no problem, but the plugs are really stuck.
I have the manual and it says to twist 1/2 turn and pull, but that isn't working for me. Is there a tool?
Also, I am going for 11 ft/lbs of torque when I put them and and leaving them at the factory .40 gap as recommended by some searches i did.
I am stuck on getting the boots off the plugs. i can get them off the coils no problem, but the plugs are really stuck.
I have the manual and it says to twist 1/2 turn and pull, but that isn't working for me. Is there a tool?
Also, I am going for 11 ft/lbs of torque when I put them and and leaving them at the factory .40 gap as recommended by some searches i did.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 753
Likes: 2
From: Denville NJ
Did mine recently and it seems that the best way is to have replacement wires ready and twist/pull the old ones off the old fashion way. Don't know about the gap, I used the quad tip plugs which worked well in my Camaro and doing fine in my C5.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 407
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis Minnesota
Definitley have a wire or two spare. I recently broke one taking them off for the first tme. Had to run to the local speed shop and snag one from a donor car.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 264
Likes: 8
From: Centre, AL
Get a new set of wires. Personally like Taylor Spiro-Pro...rip off the old ones. You are going to replace the wires and the plugs, so no worry if they break. Platinum plugs last a long time, but I dont know if the wires really will last that long. After I replaced mine, felt a difference in the idle, and no more interference with the radio.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 31
From: Silver Spring MD
wires and plugs
Did the same job but had some new GM Performance wires ready and installed them even though all my OEM wires came off relatively easily. Had a tool like the one shown but really didn't need it. Guess my size 15 hands are worth something. #7 required a swivel 5/8" spark plug socket ($3.99 at Autozone) and my hands suffered even though I tied up the brake vacuum and AIR hoses out of the way. Used Dielectric grease INSIDE the new boots and used a small dab of antisieze on the plugs. GM does't recommend antisieze due to its causing you to overtorque the plugs. Torqued them by "FEEL" 
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From: Indianapolis Indiana
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Last edited by BQuicksilver; Jul 16, 2007 at 02:25 PM.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
This morning I wanted to get out the stock platinum plugs with 32,000 on them and put in some Delco 41-985 iridium.
I am stuck on getting the boots off the plugs. i can get them off the coils no problem, but the plugs are really stuck.
I have the manual and it says to twist 1/2 turn and pull, but that isn't working for me. Is there a tool?
Also, I am going for 11 ft/lbs of torque when I put them and and leaving them at the factory .40 gap as recommended by some searches i did.
I am stuck on getting the boots off the plugs. i can get them off the coils no problem, but the plugs are really stuck.
I have the manual and it says to twist 1/2 turn and pull, but that isn't working for me. Is there a tool?
Also, I am going for 11 ft/lbs of torque when I put them and and leaving them at the factory .40 gap as recommended by some searches i did.
Make sure you put some gloves on, grab by the boot the best you can and keep twisting and pulling ........... evenutally they'll slip off ........ it's a very tight fit and actually feels like a suction releasing when they free up.
Be sure to squirt a little dielectric grease into the new boots before putting them on.
