BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

What brand of spark plug socket is everyone using for plug changes? My Craftsman 5/8" will not fit in the tunnel (single spark). Too big OD. Wrench in the toolkit can remove a socket but won't let you use a torque wrench for re-install.

BMWRT.com site search talks about a Kobalt/Lowes socket with thinner walls. Any experience?

jonmaddux wrote:What brand of spark plug socket is everyone using for plug changes? My Craftsman 5/8" will not fit in the tunnel (single spark). Too big OD. Wrench in the toolkit can remove a socket but won't let you use a torque wrench for re-install.

BMWRT.com site search talks about a Kobalt/Lowes socket with thinner walls. Any experience?

you shouldn't need a Torque Wrench - in fact, I'd advise STRONGLY against it.

do the spark plug up by hand/fingers as tight as you can (use the toolkit wrench but without anything to add leverage) - then 1 quarter turn more with the toolkit wrench. That's ALL it needs.

HTH.

Yes, the spark plug wrench in the tool kit works fine. I think it is the only time I actually used the tool kit for anything.

riceburner wrote:you shouldn't need a Torque Wrench - in fact, I'd advise STRONGLY against it.

I hear you. But I work in the aviation industry and I don't think I can do that. Must... have... torque wrench.

I made my own using the stock wrench. This was not my original idea, but worked fine. Take a deep socket that you don't need, preferably one that just fits inside the BMW supplied wrench and drill a whole through both the deep socket and the BMW wrench. You can slip a bolt through the two when they are toether and use the ratchet or torque wrench.(be sure the drive side is slighltly protruding. When finished slip the bolt out and you still have a wrench for the toolkit.

Edited, and moved on...

Paper wrote:
What the hell does working on a BMW motorcycle motor have to do with aviation???

The same thing working on a garbage disposal does. If the instructions call out a torque value, use it. Someone came up with that torque value with really good reasoning.

Edited, and moved on...

There is a BMW socket that is designed for this application....however last time I check it was over $50 or so from BMW of Chicago....

I think I can live quite well without it.

Rob

I ended up buying a $2.97 5/8" Husky brand spark plug socket from Home Depot. Worked like a charm. Smaller OD than Craftsman.

For sparkplugs you can use "Harley-torque"(tm). Just tighten it down 'til it strips...then back it off a quarter-turn.

I use the method ricburner discribed, but I will sure be looking over at home dept for that socket jonmaddux suggested, As I do like to torque things to the proper set. Also after a few miles of rideing I like to check and re-tighted as needed, mine have worked loose in the past. Den

jonmaddux wrote:What brand of spark plug socket is everyone using for plug changes? My Craftsman 5/8" will not fit in the tunnel (single spark). Too big OD. Wrench in the toolkit can remove a socket but won't let you use a torque wrench for re-install.

BMWRT.com site search talks about a Kobalt/Lowes socket with thinner walls. Any experience?

The Kobalt does not work...at least on my 04 TwinSpark.
Neither does the Craftsman, or the ones AutoZone or AdvanceAuto sell.
If anyone knows of a thin wall design that actually DOES fit in the cylinder...I'd love to hear abou tit.....

My Grandfather, a master machinist in the late 1800s, through WW II used to say, "Torque until just before it gives!"
All in all I like the method espoused by John650. I can't wait to go out and drill holes in one of my old sockets.
Has anyone gotten the torque meter from Sears? Looks like a cool tool.

jonmaddux wrote:I ended up buying a $2.97 5/8" Husky brand spark plug socket from Home Depot. Worked like a charm. Smaller OD than Craftsman.

Sweet, I'm gonna get that one. Thanks for the tip!

jm1515 wrote:
The Kobalt does not work...at least on my 04 TwinSpark.
Neither does the Craftsman, or the ones AutoZone or AdvanceAuto sell.
If anyone knows of a thin wall design that actually DOES fit in the cylinder...I'd love to hear abou tit.....

Try the Husky one from Home Depot. Works on single sparks and a guy at work with a twin spark GS reported it worked on his.

jonmaddux wrote:

jm1515 wrote:
The Kobalt does not work...at least on my 04 TwinSpark.
Neither does the Craftsman, or the ones AutoZone or AdvanceAuto sell.
If anyone knows of a thin wall design that actually DOES fit in the cylinder...I'd love to hear abou tit.....

Try the Husky one from Home Depot. Works on single sparks and a guy at work with a twin spark GS reported it worked on his.

Thanx, Maddux...
That was going to be my next destination.
They are building a new HomeDepot in my town, so I will try there ASAP...

jonmaddux wrote:I ended up buying a $2.97 5/8" Husky brand spark plug socket from Home Depot. Worked like a charm. Smaller OD than Craftsman.

Purchased the Homedepot "Husky brand spark plug socket" although it has a smaller OD (13/16) than the craftsman (7/8) it will not work in my "02" Den

mnnden wrote:

jonmaddux wrote:I ended up buying a $2.97 5/8" Husky brand spark plug socket from Home Depot. Worked like a charm. Smaller OD than Craftsman.

Purchased the Homedepot "Husky brand spark plug socket" although it has a smaller OD (13/16) than the craftsman (7/8) it will not work in my "02" Den

I will measure mine with a mic when I get home tonight. Maybe the price of the Husky means variation in manufacturing tolerances...

Found one!!

In case anyone is still interested...
I found a 3/8 drive 5/8" spark plug socket w/ rubber cushion insert at
Tractor Supply Co.
Made by 'Pro-Grade' div of AlliedConsumer. It is their model 13252 and Tractor Supply pn 3800556. 2.99!
Works nicely in both plug tunnels on my 04TwinSpark.
They also have a 1/2 drive.....and for those who may not be able to find a local TS, try
http://www.myTSCstore.com