Spark Plug Wire Removal?!?!

H.O. Driver · 06-28-2003, 12:13 PM

Has anyone ever had rear wires that were damn near impossible to remove? They are 52K miles old and they will just NOT come off, any suggestions to try short of cutting them off? Thanks!

RedGrandTour · 06-28-2003, 12:19 PM

I changed my old delco wires around 50K. I know its hard but Just pull straight out. I can't remember if I used my left or right arm.

AaronGAGT · 06-28-2003, 12:24 PM

Yep, hard as hell! I pulled and pulled... shake it a little... it will come out

lightningGA · 06-28-2003, 01:52 PM

I just changed mine at 52,000.......the rear we're a pain in the azz. You just have to pull real hard....took about 30min for the front 3 and about 2+ hours for the back 3. Enjoy......just take your time and try to keep your patience......

Licit · 06-30-2003, 12:37 AM

Are you talking about getting the wire boots off the plugs? I'm just wondering about whether to pick up one of those spark plug boot pullers prior to doing wires and plugs soon.

Magnum · 06-30-2003, 06:36 AM

I've had ACDelco wires on sooo tight that the boot actually ripped in half, leaving half the boot and the connector on the plug, and the remains of the wire and top of the boot in my hand. (the connector came off real easy after that, though

) This actually happened on 3 of 6 wires

Good thing I had a spare set.

Jeremy · 06-30-2003, 07:43 AM

twist...pull...swear...cut forearm..twist....pull...swear...cut forearm..twist...pull...swear...cut forearm..twist....pull...swear...cut forearm..twist...pull...swear...cut forearm..twist....pull...swear...cut forearm..twist...pull...swear...cut forearm..twist....pull...swear...cut forearm

See where I'm going with this? When you put the new ones on, be sure to use some dielectric goo to help make it easier to remove later on.

H.O. Driver · 06-30-2003, 07:52 AM

Thanks for all your help guys. That was a big PITA but I was able to get them all off without ripping any boots in half. Once I fired it up, I thought I was all good with no SES/SVS but now my idler pulley is shot and is squeking like a mofo!

I need to get that fixed soon before it seizes up.

lightningGA · 06-30-2003, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by GrandAmGuru
twist...pull...swear...cut forearm..twist....pull...swear...cut forearm..twist...pull...swear...cut forearm..twist....pull...swear...cut forearm..twist...pull...swear...cut forearm..twist....pull...swear...cut forearm..twist...pull...swear...cut forearm..twist....pull...swear...cut forearm

See where I'm going with this? When you put the new ones on, be sure to use some dielectric goo to help make it easier to remove later on.

WOW that's exactly how it goes too.......

Licit · 07-01-2003, 01:28 AM

So did anyone use a boot puller clamp to get them off? According to the Haynes manual you clamp make a 90 degree turn and off they come. But Haynes tends to have one hell of an optimistic look on doing jobs.

GT2003 · 07-01-2003, 05:43 PM

I don't think it is that bad, it isn't really that hard at all? Are u just tlkaing about the boots on the spark plaugs? They are not hard, I just changed my spark plugs today and took me a little under 30 min to do them.

H.O. Driver · 07-02-2003, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by GT2003
I don't it is really that hard at all? Are u just tlkaing about the boots on the spark plaugs? They are not hard, I just changed my spark plugs today and took me a little under 30 min to do them.

mine must have had super glue on them or something, when I finally got the first plug off the back, it sounded like the car back fired. I was kneeling on the intake manifold tugging at the wires too. Man that sucked!

Panacea · 07-10-2003, 07:33 PM

Yeah, H.O I know what you mean!!! I'm trying to get mine off... Spend nearly an hour on one wire!!!

I'm about ready to just use pliars and rip it all to hell.... But then I'd be stranded home w/out spark plug wires... Don't think so. I know when I put these boots back on they're going to be lubed very well.

Geez man, keep it clean! - DK

gtaholic · 07-10-2003, 10:09 PM

Highly recommend getting new plug wires to change after taking the stockers off. I new they would be destroyed so I looked ahead. Glad I did because my dad and I destroyed two I think. Took us about 1/2 hour for all 6. Glad I put him to work on his vacation. Used to be a mechanic.

New plugs and wires, new fuel filter, gatorback belt, brake shoes. Took a total of about 3 hours.

Would have taken me all day. And also take note of guru's suggestion. PUT ON SOME BOOT GREASE FOR NEXT TIME!!!!!!!

Panacea · 07-10-2003, 10:27 PM

Finally got the wires off!!! Took me roughly 3 hours for everything... Breaks included.

Had to pull on the wire's themselves and finally got them off. Put a butt-load of grease on them and fired her up. Runs smoother now, considering all my plugs were gapped between .070-.075

Licit · 07-11-2003, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gtaholic
Highly recommend getting new plug wires to change after taking the stockers off. I new they would be destroyed so I looked ahead. Glad I did because my dad and I destroyed two I think. Took us about 1/2 hour for all 6. Glad I put him to work on his vacation. Used to be a mechanic.

New plugs and wires, new fuel filter, gatorback belt, brake shoes. Took a total of about 3 hours.

Would have taken me all day. And also take note of guru's suggestion. PUT ON SOME BOOT GREASE FOR NEXT TIME!!!!!!!

How do you have brake shoes on a GAGT? Just wondering since I thought they always come with 4-wheel disk brakes. I guess I will buy new wires prior to doing plugs since you're about the 10th person to say it's a "better safe than sorry" idea.

gtaholic · 07-11-2003, 10:28 PM

my bad, PADS

Breadfan · 05-28-2004, 07:09 PM

Gonna bump this just becuase I've been having trouble with the wires...anyone else doing their plugs will want to see this.

I'm gonna stop tonight because they're so tight I'm afraid I'm gonna tear a wire. I didn't buy a spare set, so I think I'll pick one up in the morning and continue this tommorrow!

Did my fuel filter though, and air/pcv valve so atleast I got SOMETHING done.

kubiache · 05-28-2004, 09:36 PM

Do you have a proper spark plug boot plier? Trust me, get one. It makes life much easier.

Breadfan · 05-28-2004, 09:39 PM

I'll pick one up in the morning then...if it'll help, I'm all for it. Seeing how tight they are, I'm sure it'll take some time, I'd prefer to do the job in under an hour...

06-28-2003, 12:13 PM	#1
H.O. Driver I drive a V6 H.O. AKA: Timmah! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Boyne City, MI Age: 38 Posts: 2,694 Vehicle: 99 GT, 03 DTS, 04 SRX	Spark Plug Wire Removal?!?! Has anyone ever had rear wires that were damn near impossible to remove? They are 52K miles old and they will just NOT come off, any suggestions to try short of cutting them off? Thanks! __________________ 1999 GA GT - lots of mods - Sold and missing it... 2001 GP GTP Special Edtion - Sold 2002 T/A - T-Tops, AT, LS6 intake, mainly stock - Sold 2003 Cadillac DTS - Gangsta Grandpa car - Gone 2004 Cadillac SRX - Baby hauler -Sold and missing it Life is too short to drive boring cars....why is that all I have now??????

06-28-2003, 01:52 PM	#4
lightningGA Bagged and Boosted!! AKA: Paul Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Saratoga, NY area Age: 47 Posts: 1,424 Vehicle: Boosted 00 GA	I just changed mine at 52,000.......the rear we're a pain in the azz. You just have to pull real hard....took about 30min for the front 3 and about 2+ hours for the back 3. Enjoy......just take your time and try to keep your patience...... __________________ CARDOMAIN Not updated in forever!!! XCLUSIVE Car Club Eaton SUPER CHARGED!!!!!

06-30-2003, 07:43 AM	#7
Jeremy Unpimped my Mazda AKA: Jeremy Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: 'Burb of Chicago Age: 45 Posts: 1,828 Vehicle: 07 Tahoe LTZ ,12 Jetta	twist...pull...swear...cut forearm..twist....pull...swear...cut forearm..twist...pull...swear...cut forearm..twist....pull...swear...cut forearm..twist...pull...swear...cut forearm..twist....pull...swear...cut forearm..twist...pull...swear...cut forearm..twist....pull...swear...cut forearm See where I'm going with this? When you put the new ones on, be sure to use some dielectric goo to help make it easier to remove later on. __________________ Jeremy 12 VW Jetta 07 Tahoe LTZ 4x4 Over the firewall, out the antenna, into the router, shot to the modem, out the transponder, bounce into space, off the satellite, over their firewall, into the forums .... nothing but NET

06-30-2003, 07:52 AM	#8
H.O. Driver I drive a V6 H.O. AKA: Timmah! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Boyne City, MI Age: 38 Posts: 2,694 Vehicle: 99 GT, 03 DTS, 04 SRX	Thanks for all your help guys. That was a big PITA but I was able to get them all off without ripping any boots in half. Once I fired it up, I thought I was all good with no SES/SVS but now my idler pulley is shot and is squeking like a mofo! I need to get that fixed soon before it seizes up. __________________ 1999 GA GT - lots of mods - Sold and missing it... 2001 GP GTP Special Edtion - Sold 2002 T/A - T-Tops, AT, LS6 intake, mainly stock - Sold 2003 Cadillac DTS - Gangsta Grandpa car - Gone 2004 Cadillac SRX - Baby hauler -Sold and missing it Life is too short to drive boring cars....why is that all I have now??????

07-01-2003, 05:43 PM	#11
GT2003 GAGT - Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Carrollton, TX Age: 36 Posts: 89 Vehicle: 2000 Gran dAM GT	I don't think it is that bad, it isn't really that hard at all? Are u just tlkaing about the boots on the spark plaugs? They are not hard, I just changed my spark plugs today and took me a little under 30 min to do them. Last edited by GT2003; 07-02-2003 at 11:16 AM.

06-28-2003, 12:19 PM	#2
RedGrandTour Crashed 99 GT :( Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: IL Age: 43 Posts: 802 Vehicle: 2001 Grand Am GT Coupe	I changed my old delco wires around 50K. I know its hard but Just pull straight out. I can't remember if I used my left or right arm.

06-28-2003, 12:24 PM	#3
AaronGAGT Scrap scrap! AKA: Aaron Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Westland, MI Age: 38 Posts: 1,804 Vehicle: 2000 Black GT Coupe	Yep, hard as hell! I pulled and pulled... shake it a little... it will come out

06-30-2003, 12:37 AM	#5
Licit GAGT - Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Bloomington, IN Age: 46 Posts: 347 Vehicle: 2004 GTO	Are you talking about getting the wire boots off the plugs? I'm just wondering about whether to pick up one of those spark plug boot pullers prior to doing wires and plugs soon.

06-30-2003, 06:36 AM	#6
Magnum GAGT - Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Gimli, Manitoba Age: 41 Posts: 140	I've had ACDelco wires on sooo tight that the boot actually ripped in half, leaving half the boot and the connector on the plug, and the remains of the wire and top of the boot in my hand. (the connector came off real easy after that, though ) This actually happened on 3 of 6 wires Good thing I had a spare set.

07-01-2003, 01:28 AM	#10
Licit GAGT - Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Bloomington, IN Age: 46 Posts: 347 Vehicle: 2004 GTO	So did anyone use a boot puller clamp to get them off? According to the Haynes manual you clamp make a 90 degree turn and off they come. But Haynes tends to have one hell of an optimistic look on doing jobs.

07-10-2003, 07:33 PM	#13
Panacea Mmmm Donuts. AKA: Macleod52 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Rock Island, IL Age: 40 Posts: 3,160 Vehicle: '09 Malibu LTZ	Yeah, H.O I know what you mean!!! I'm trying to get mine off... Spend nearly an hour on one wire!!! I'm about ready to just use pliars and rip it all to hell.... But then I'd be stranded home w/out spark plug wires... Don't think so. I know when I put these boots back on they're going to be lubed very well. Geez man, keep it clean! - DK __________________ "Never argue with idiots. They bring you down to their level, and beat you with experience." Last edited by Dr_Kyle; 07-12-2003 at 12:08 AM.

07-10-2003, 10:09 PM	#14
gtaholic Ride Red Baby!!!!! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Pacific Northwest Age: 44 Posts: 196 Vehicle: 2000 GAGT Coupe	Highly recommend getting new plug wires to change after taking the stockers off. I new they would be destroyed so I looked ahead. Glad I did because my dad and I destroyed two I think. Took us about 1/2 hour for all 6. Glad I put him to work on his vacation. Used to be a mechanic. New plugs and wires, new fuel filter, gatorback belt, brake shoes. Took a total of about 3 hours. Would have taken me all day. And also take note of guru's suggestion. PUT ON SOME BOOT GREASE FOR NEXT TIME!!!!!!!

07-10-2003, 10:27 PM	#15
Panacea Mmmm Donuts. AKA: Macleod52 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Rock Island, IL Age: 40 Posts: 3,160 Vehicle: '09 Malibu LTZ	Finally got the wires off!!! Took me roughly 3 hours for everything... Breaks included. Had to pull on the wire's themselves and finally got them off. Put a butt-load of grease on them and fired her up. Runs smoother now, considering all my plugs were gapped between .070-.075 __________________ "Never argue with idiots. They bring you down to their level, and beat you with experience."

07-11-2003, 10:28 PM	#17
gtaholic Ride Red Baby!!!!! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Pacific Northwest Age: 44 Posts: 196 Vehicle: 2000 GAGT Coupe	my bad, PADS

05-28-2004, 07:09 PM	#18
Breadfan Overclocked Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Northern VA Age: 40 Posts: 237 Vehicle: '01 GAGT, '65 Spitfire	Gonna bump this just becuase I've been having trouble with the wires...anyone else doing their plugs will want to see this. I'm gonna stop tonight because they're so tight I'm afraid I'm gonna tear a wire. I didn't buy a spare set, so I think I'll pick one up in the morning and continue this tommorrow! Did my fuel filter though, and air/pcv valve so atleast I got SOMETHING done.

05-28-2004, 09:36 PM	#19
kubiache Get blown Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Age: 42 Posts: 1,858 Vehicle: 1998 GTP	Do you have a proper spark plug boot plier? Trust me, get one. It makes life much easier. __________________ Dave Woodward '01 GA SE --- 14.864 @ 92.61mph.....NA '98 GTP - NIC cam / P&P heads / 105# springs / Titanium retainers / INTENSE LW pushrods / CC Lifters / INTENSE TCS-300 / ZZP Poly mounts / RT 3" DP / PEMs / ZZP MPS 3.2, 3.0 / Wizair / 103s / DHP / AFC 2.2 .......still tuning

05-28-2004, 09:39 PM	#20
Breadfan Overclocked Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Northern VA Age: 40 Posts: 237 Vehicle: '01 GAGT, '65 Spitfire	I'll pick one up in the morning then...if it'll help, I'm all for it. Seeing how tight they are, I'm sure it'll take some time, I'd prefer to do the job in under an hour...

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