+1
Tune up to my old car became last day for the car next day it was shredded ceramic does a number to a cylinder!!!

 

The easiest way to do it is by dropping the steering column. that way you will have a lot more room to work. it is just one bolt on the steering box that you have to pull then pry the steering rack from the steering box and then move it off to the side. then you will be able to get at it.

 

i just changed mine out the other day and i had to go thru the wheel well and i didnt have to use a swivel just an extention on my wrachet. its a pain in the butt, but it aint the hardest thing iv had to do to my blazer. i too had to remove the rubber piece out of my socket cuz it was such a pain to get it on because of the angle its in there. good luck

 

When I changed my #3, I disconnected the steering linkage, and just did it thru the wheel well after that. 100x easier. Dude, that thing is a PITA otherwise. There was a thread here I used that had pictures that made this change a snap to do on a weekend on alternate side parking here in NYC. LOL

 

I didn't jack up anything, nor did I remove the steering joint. Just used a wiggle joint and make it happen. Don't make it harder than it has to be...and use search nexttime if your in such a rush instead of crying wolf.

 

I'm confused too after reading this thread. A few days after buying my 93 S10 Blazer (4.3 vortec), I had someone do a tune up for me (didn't have any tools at the time... just now getting into doing my own maintenance). He had a little difficulty on the #3 plug... but this problem was the spark plug socket had a rubber gasket in it and it got stuck on the plug and was hard to get off. But other than that, he didn't remove anything, didn't go through wheel well, used a 3/8" ratchet, about a 2-3" extension and spark plug socket.

Is everything talking about a regular Blazer here or other years of the S10 Blazer? Why is it so difficult on others?

 

Easy...go in through the wheel well with a special tool sold at autozone. It is a spark plug socket on a 10 inch extension with a ball style swivel. I can ratchet mine on and off all the way without moving the steering column.

 

I haven't read all the replies so apologies if this is a repeat. I have changed plug sets on 2 Blazers (95 & 01), a 97 Jimmy, and my 95 Sonoma and have never taken steering linkage apart for remove or replace.

What I use for removal and install AFTER breaking old plug loose with socket is a short piece of 3/8" rubber hose placed over top of plug and then hand-threading most of the way in and out...just a suggestion...

 

yes we're talking about the S10's (all of them, p/u's, Blazer's, Jimmy's). and we're talking about all years of the 4.3's. funny, it's been so long now, i can't remember how difficult it was on the 2.8 that originally was in my first Blazer.

you know, this #3 plug would be a non-issue if GM was smart enough to offer the diesel's in these trucks again.

 

A 2.8L would be easy given that it is a 60* v6. Much narrower engine than the 4.3L 90* v6.

But then again, this discussion really should be taking place in the Discussion portion of the thread hinted to below...