Help removing oxygen sensors!!

[elwesso]

Maintenance week, aka spring break for me... Spending my spring break doing the maintenance...

INstalled my transmission cooler.... 2 hours tops to do that!!

Now, I was doing my oxygen sensors today... WEnt and got a oxygen sensor wrench for $25 (OUCH) and I got started... I cant hardly get anything on the socket on the passenger side, and on the drivers side I didnt try that much, but Its not gonna as hard, as I should be able to get some extensions on it...

So how did you get them out.. I stopped on the passenger side when I broke a ratchet!!!

[DAEDALUS]

What kind of socket did you buy? Deep or crow's foot? If you're under the car, remember that the ratchet works opposite...righty loosey, lefty tighty!

[wamQ45]

I used the socket type with a few long wobble extensions

[elwesso]

I bought a deep from NAPA....

When I started, I had 2 wobble joints on with about 2 feet of extensions....

I dont know what to do.... There isnt enough room... Im more concerned about the passenger side, the drivers side will just require some patience... For some reason its at an angle, and that makes it oodles easier....!

Any suggestions...

[DAEDALUS]

This works better for me. With a crow's foot you can come in from above or below, your choice, plus it provides more clearance and an offset.

[elwesso]

Can i make my deep socket work... I dont want to spend more money if I dont have to!

[fxjackso]

The crow's foot, per Daedalus, and also the FSM (see tools at front of exhaust section) is the only easy way. Others have used the extension method but it takes a lot longer and requires more swearing, etc.

[elwesso]

Crap. Hopefully NAPA will accept me returning it...!

[AZhitman]

What does the dealer charge to swap o2's?

[elwesso]

I dont know what theyd charge, couldnt imagine more than 1 billable hour, with all the right tools and a lift, its not very hard.... Skinny arms are a necessity!

If your pondering on DIYing Greg, do it. Its easy, just get the right stuff....

You drive out to Indy and Ill replace them FREE!!!

[AZhitman]

LOL - Go ahead and prepare me an order for new ones - DON'T order yet, just be ready.

Damn - I don't have TIME for all this crap.... Think I'm gonna hire someone to maintain/wash/detail my Q for me while I'm sleeping (or at work).

p.s. Wes, buy the tool and I'll pay for part of it after you're done with it, sen d it to me with the o2's.

[Q451990]

I have used the socket style (with the cutout on the side) and replaced the sensors on both Qs by snaking extensions up between the back of the engine and the firewall. I'm not going to lie to you... it's a pain, but I got it done in a few hours. I slipped the socket over the sensor from below with one or two extensions alreay on there - then went to the top to turn it... Lots of slipping off and retrying.

Heath

[wlong]

Wes,

I am assuming you were able to exchange the wrench at NAPA for the crow's foot style. What prompted you to change the sensors? Mileage? CEL?

W. Long96Q45

[elwesso]

W- I am just looking for an exuse to spend more money Seriously, I am just looking to extrude every MPG possible...

Ill go get a crows foot and see how that works out.. I think the socket might be easier for the drivers side and the crows foot easier for the passenger side.

BTW Heath, Jesda didnt reply to this thread!!

On my car, I dont think its possible because the valve covers just cover the top of the thing enough that i cant get an extension on it or anything....

[elwesso]

OHH, Hitman.. Hit me up email, I dont officially carry the o2 sensors, but I think we can work out a deal....

[Q451990]

BTW Heath, Jesda didnt reply to this thread!!

Just noticed that... I guess I had Jesda on the brain after reading his "scam" thread a little earlier.

Heath

[elwesso]

Before I start, do you have any suggestions for the passenger side. Drivers side is complete, it was pretty painless.....

[Aus94Q45]

The passengers' side is easier!

[elwesso]

REally... Id like to hear how you did it.... Drivers side was a snap for me (with the o2 socket)

[elwesso]

WEll I broke an extension today from the 2 wobble joints I used binding.....

Im going to go get a crows foot, how do those things work? It looks like there is a 5/8 thing on them, and do i turn them with a socket wrench.....?

[squeefoo]

You might try this- get everything ready to remove the OX then start it and let it idle for a few minutes, sometimes that helps loosen things up. Like a built in torch.

[DAEDALUS]

The crows foot is like any other wrench with one small exception; it's offset. So when you apply a torque it doesn't rotate about the axis of the extension like sockets do...it rotates about the sensor axis, which is 1-2 inches from the extension axis. When you use a torque wrench, take this into consideration, because it will either increase or decrease the applied torque by a ratio of lengths. If your torque wrench is 8" for example, and the offset is 2", then the actual torque applied can be (8+2)/8 = 25% higher or lower.

[elwesso]

I didnt torque the drivers side o2 to a specific torque, just firm... Not any higher or much lower than it was before...

[wamQ45]

p.s. Wes, buy the tool and I'll pay for part of it after you're done with it, sen d it to me with the o2's.

Greg,

I have the socket if you need to borrow....

[AZhitman]

Very cool - Thanks Wm!

I should have the sensors in a week or two...

[elwesso]

Well my jobs are done, will post a thread summing everything up... But i didnt do the passenger side, when she goes in for an oil change this week I will have them replace it, for a nominal charge!

[VA99Q45]

Spraying some liquid wrench helps remove the o2 sensor. I did have to spray it a couple of times before I can remove them.

I am not sure if your autozone allow you to borrow a set of 02 tools. But mine does. You can call them up and ask them.

[elwesso]

Well like I said, im gonna have it done, i dont wanna get dirty any more with greasy goo....

Plus, Id have to spend money to buy a tool, whereas if I had it done I get an oil change AND passenger side o2 sensor replaced on my parents charge account!!!!