richardjrose

What are the tricks to changing spark plugs on a 2002 Pontiac TRANSAM with the V8 engine. The driver's side plugs do not look that difficult but the passenger side, especially the rear most one looks almost impossible without knowing some tricks. Please help me. Thanks.

chadaclysm

http://www.installuniversity.com/ins...sity/index.htm

have fun

LOL

FLSSLS1

skinny arms!

steves2002z28

iTrader: (1)

small hands and arms i tried to talk my wife into doing it

chadaclysm

yep, during my plug/wire change it was the first time i was ever grateful for these toothpick arms lol.

TheBlueKnight

iTrader: (4)

Even though a bolt or two will be stabbing you, take the pain. I started with the easiest ones. If you start with the hardest you may get discouraged to soon. Plus doing the easiest one's first will give you an idea of how the spark plug boot pops off, how hard you will have to turn the wrench to break them loose ect...

slayerized6

iTrader: (12)

remove the AIR lines, especially from the driverside. if this is the first time the spark plugs have ever been changed, i strongly suggest finding a 2-3 foot length of pipe to slip over your wrench. all you need is a regular plug socket, a socket wrench, and a 1in and 3in extension and youll be done in no time.

dont forget di-electric grease for plug ends and antiseize for the threads

neutron82

iTrader: (26)

yeah remove the air lines that will help you... and i ended up taking the front 3 coilpacks loose on the passenger side and laying them on top of the intake... that gives me enough room to get a stubby 3/8 ratchet, swivel, and spark plug socket in there to get the last one out... they are cake now but the first time was a bitch

608kZ28

i used a swivel head ratchet, your plug socket, and 1 1/2 inch extentsion. i took off the air lines, and coil packs. got them all from the top too.

davered00ss

iTrader: (4)

You need to do the back passenger side by feel. You can't see it. It gets easy once you've done it a time or two.

Do the driver side first and then the passenger. The driver side is easy and will give you a little moral boost when it is done.

ss_slowmaro

You can reach #8(back passenger) fairly easy by going under the car and reaching up for it. can be done with a jack, but i would recommend a lift if you have one at your disposal. though if it your first time changing them i would recommend hook nose pliers for use on the heat sheilds on the wires.

dutinsss

iTrader: (2)

take your coil packs off and anything else that's in the way. a swivel head ratchet works well, but the best thing i had to use was this little cap that you put on the end of a socket where the ratchet would normally go, but it allows you to turn the socket with a open ended wrench. i used that with a ratchet wrench and it made it a lot easier. i get the 1/4, 3/8's, and 1/2 set from sears for pretty cheap. VERY handy.

Dal1as

Beer helps.

MiniTransAm

iTrader: (3)

That's how I just did mine. The first time I did them, I layed across the engine to get #8. When I decided to try #8 from the bottom, I wondered why the hell I try it the first time! I didn't remove the air pipes from either side and I didn't move the coil pack from the passenger side but it would have helped. Plan on getting your knuckles busted and your forearms all scratched up. Especially if these are the OEM plugs and wires.

FLSSLS1

i'm thinking a very tall 8 year old with long arms!

SOMbitch

iTrader: (8)

A good excuse to get headers....Makes it much easier....

These cars make a LT car almost seem easy LOL

RekjavicXXX

iTrader: (9)

Did mine for the first time on my 98 TA a couple of weeks ago. So far I've got to agree on the "take the pain from bolts stabbing you" on the passengers side front two and "lots of beer" haha
If you have lift, the rear two on the passengers side will be a breeze (relatively speaking). The front two on the passengers side I literally had to crawl up on top of the motor and reach in from the rear towards the front to change it.
A 3/8" swivel head ratchet with a deep socket and small extension is good. The spark plug socket seemed to help on one or two cyliders, but was not the universal answer.
Good luck!!

Muscle Freak

yes it sure does! also, someone told me that GM calls for unbolting the front subframe, and lifting the body up off of the subframe (engine & trans, suspension etc) just to change the plugs....eeek

neutron82

iTrader: (26)

ummmm.... SCREW THAT!... whoever told you that was pulling your leg... no need whatsoever to lower the k member to do plugs... maybe they tell customers that at the dealer to get a little more labor out of it but it's totally unnecessary

rs94z28

iTrader: (3)

a..freakin' ...men.....


bottoms up for me...for the ones i can't EASILY reach ....don't have to pull anything else that way.....
haven't had to change since headers install...you guys make it sound easy!!!!