Changing Plugs...

Discuss your 2000-2005 Bonneville SE, SLE, SSEi, Buick Le Sabre 00-05 and Buick Park Avenue 97-05. Please use General Chat for non-mechanical issues, and Performance and Brainstorming for improvements.
Post Reply
onesidered
SLE Member
SLE Member
Posts: 37
Joined: Sat Aug 28, 2010 8:05 pm
Year and Trim: 2002 - The Non-supercharged model :)
Location: La Quinta, CA

Changing Plugs...

Post by onesidered »

Any body have links or pictures on how to reach the back plugs? I'm 6'4 - 320 and my arms don't fit ;).
00Beast
Retired Site Developer
Retired Site Developer
Posts: 20960
Joined: Tue May 27, 2008 10:30 pm
Year and Trim: '17 Silverado 1500
Location: MN/IA
Contact:

Re: Changing Plugs...

Post by 00Beast »

I'm 6'6" 375 and I fit back there, and have friggin ginormous hands. You have no excuse. :wink: I've found the removing the rear lift bracket is the easiest way to get at them. Removing the alternator is another option.
Bye Bye:
Image
RIP sandrock
Sirius wrote:Think about it. You’re tooling down the road in your Prius, knowing full-well that this thing being green is as big a sham as federally mandated ethanol-enriched gas, Russia pulling out of Ukraine, and Obamacare.
onesidered
SLE Member
SLE Member
Posts: 37
Joined: Sat Aug 28, 2010 8:05 pm
Year and Trim: 2002 - The Non-supercharged model :)
Location: La Quinta, CA

Re: Changing Plugs...

Post by onesidered »

Hehe - touch'e Beast.

Thanks
User avatar
comatoast
Posts like an LN3
Posts like an LN3
Posts: 405
Joined: Wed Sep 22, 2010 12:14 am
Year and Trim: 2000 SSEi
Location: Minnesota

Re: Changing Plugs...

Post by comatoast »

00Beast wrote:I'm 6'6" 375 and I fit back there, and have friggin ginormous hands. You have no excuse. :wink: I've found the removing the rear lift bracket is the easiest way to get at them. Removing the alternator is another option.

*dang*.. im a midget in a forum full of giants :booty2:
Image

Current mods - FWI, Intense 1.0 PCM, 3.4"- 3.5", Intense MPS, AL 104s, 180 Stat , Intense/TG shiftkit, Aeroforce Interceptor scan gauge

Upcoming mods- 1.9 rockers, 105#springs, Headers, 103s, 3.3, tune..
imidazol97
Posts like an L67
Posts like an L67
Posts: 1204
Joined: Wed Jun 04, 2008 7:55 pm
Year and Trim: 2003 Lesabre Limited, 2008 Cobalt, 2014 Malibu

Re: Changing Plugs...

Post by imidazol97 »

onesidered wrote:Any body have links or pictures on how to reach the back plugs? I'm 6'4 - 320 and my arms don't fit ;).
I reached over the top of the motor. I put upholstery foam pads on top to spare my knees and I just reached over and back. Lots of trouble getting the rear snapons to let go. Lots of twisting.

Remember to pull off the metal heat shields from the motor end of the connectors as much as they'll go. They put pressure against the plug end to seal the rubber on.

I stood on a 24 pack to reach over the right fender and still couldn't get the plug connector on that side to break loose.

The metal shields make it hard to get a good grip on the bottom end of the plug socket.
swampthing
Certified Bonneville Nut
Certified Bonneville Nut
Posts: 2711
Joined: Wed Jun 04, 2008 12:13 pm
Year and Trim: 2000 ssei gone but not forgotten
Location: Citrus Springs, Fl

Re: Changing Plugs...

Post by swampthing »

comatoast wrote:
00Beast wrote:I'm 6'6" 375 and I fit back there, and have friggin ginormous hands. You have no excuse. :wink: I've found the removing the rear lift bracket is the easiest way to get at them. Removing the alternator is another option.

*dang*.. im a midget in a forum full of giants :booty2:
:withstupid: I'm 5'11'' and 240 and have never felt small til now
2000 ssei gone but not forgotten

Current fleet:
2009 G8 v6, 2009 Avalanche LTZ, 2013 Volt
00Beast
Retired Site Developer
Retired Site Developer
Posts: 20960
Joined: Tue May 27, 2008 10:30 pm
Year and Trim: '17 Silverado 1500
Location: MN/IA
Contact:

Re: Changing Plugs...

Post by 00Beast »

I used a brake spoon (L shaped end) and wedged the end under the wire. Plan on replacing all 6 wires, do it one plug and wire at a time, match up the lengths with the new wires and install. Be sure to put di-electric grease in the boot of the wire, and anti-seize on the threads of the plug. That makes future plug and wire changes much easier. :wink:
Bye Bye:
Image
RIP sandrock
Sirius wrote:Think about it. You’re tooling down the road in your Prius, knowing full-well that this thing being green is as big a sham as federally mandated ethanol-enriched gas, Russia pulling out of Ukraine, and Obamacare.
Post Reply