I'm changing out all 4 oxygen sensors. The drivers side sensors are a piece of cake. The downstream on the passenger side is also a piece of cake but the upstream is a different story. The problem isn't getting the 7/8 wrench on, its fitting your arm up there to get the coupler undone. Great engineering Ford. They've got the coupler way up by the cylinder head and the firewall. Any tricks? I'm lying underneath with a shop light and a creeper. Fender well? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

The fender liner does come out, I removed it to get access to the passenger side valve cover bolts.

 

I just did it a few days ago and I can assure you there is no easy way to do it, at all. I somehow was able to reach my left arm up around the frame and I wedged my right arm straight up next to the transmission. I'm extremely lucky I didn't get stuck because my arms are fairly big. I was barely able to hold the female end still with my left hand as I plugged in the male end. It took me over an hour to just plug it in on that sensor.

 

Try removing wheel well liner. Removed it once and recall it provided good access to exhaust manifold. I however was not interested in the o2 so don't remember if it was accessible or not.

 

I just had to get at that bastard last week..
My trick was to get a 3 foot long flat head screwdriver on the connectors release tab, push it up, while capturing the sensor connector tabs groove simultaneously.
I ended up pulling the whole section down from the 2 bolt flange, and then I cut in high flow cats, welded up fresh bungs, and installed a wideband 02 as well.
To reinstall I plugged in the connector for that 02 (passenger side) first, wound the wire up counterclockwise a few turns so it would unwind when I threaded it in, then threaded the 02 into the bung..

 

Ok I finished the job. I ended up loosening the passenger fender well liner, lubed up my left arm with Vaseline (knuckle to elbow), stuck it thru the fender well liner then on top of the frame. I then used my right hand from down below in between the transmission and exhaust. I did pull the coupler off the stay clip but I think if will be ok. Nothin' alil vaseline won't fix. LOL! Thanks for the replies.

 

Sucked didn't it?

I had no idea I was that flexible when I did mine.

 

Yup, did this on my 2000 5.4 about a month ago. I would recommend to anyone removing the inner fender (which isn't hard) to go to the parts store and get those black push on holders (name not coming to me). They have the serrated edges and are designed to go on once. Costs about $3 for a box of 10. They when you take the fender out you can just grab them with a pair of pliers and rip them out and toss is the can. The new ones will snap on tight when you reassemble.

 

What was wrong with old ones? the downstream have no effect on running or fuel mileage, only to monitor cat efficiency.

 

jt, the holders are angled for easy insertion and to prevent the inner fender from moving (i.e. to prevent removal of the holder). When you remove them, they bend and lose effectiveness. So for $3...they go in they way they are supposed to and hold like they are supposed to.