Ok, I'm doing a tune-up on a friend's 2000 Blazer. My question is how do you get the #3 spark plug out? It is buried so that you can't use a ratchet and the socket. Are there any tricks? I had to cut the orange protective cover off the steering shaft just to get the standard 5/8" spark plug socket on.

Please help!!

-Josh

 

couple of different ways, all are found by using search feature. turn wheels to get flat side of steering shaft. regular socket, are shorter than spark plug sockets. Unbolt steering shaft. take a spark plug and cut it in half, use a box wrench on it.

 

Got it. Actually the Spark Plug socket that I have is shorter than the deep set sockets that I own.

I had to cut off the orange rubber material that surrounds the steering shaft, get a swivel Spark Plug Socket, and use some creative explatives, but it finally came out.

Whoever the genious was at Chevy that designed THAT cluster **** needs to be assigned to perform tune-ups on that truck every day so that way he can see just what a PITA it is.

just my $0.02

 

i wonder if that orange stuff you're talking about is the rag joint. prob don't want to cut it all of

 

its a sleeve for the steering shaft.

 

I had to cut my orange sleeve off too.
#3 is a real PITA. I agree, who every the engineer was, needs to spend time wrenching on it.

 

Geez... Again with the engineer slants... LOL

I had a fun time with mine as well, but a standard socket and my 15* swivel extension allowed me to loosen it then it was easy from there.

 

Some engineers get it, and some dont. lol

I'd like to meet the engineer that figured out down to the millimeter the exact space needed to get the starter out. [8D]

 

Well on my 2000 i just used a swivel joint on a sparkplug socket and a 6"+3" 3/8 extensions through the fender well and it was a lot easier than trying to get it from over the top....so was the pass side...