culprit1384

I just took the rubber grommet out of a 5/8 spark plug socket and did some quick trimming and then fitted it into my 9/16 deep socket and it worked like a charm!

azmidget91

Yes I know that, that is the main purpose of the spark plug socket, to not break the porcelain. But I am wondering if it might transfer some of the load down to the electrode if not using one.

i have changed mine twice now with no broken plugs. It just always seems that when people break them they are also not using the spark plug socket

miller790

I agree with kozal01. This is not the same type of breakage. I personally bought a 9/16 sparkplug socket to do mine and 6 out of 8 broke with 140000 miles on plugs.

azmidget91

As said before I know a spark plug socket is to normally prevent breaking the porcelain, but I am seeing if there is a connection to also breaking the electrode off in the head.

My reasoning is that is you don't have the socket perfectly straight you could be putting a side load between the electrode and the head, causing more friction and maybe even enough force to break it.

kozal01

iTrader: (2)

I get what you mean now but I dont think that would really have anything to do with it. The reason the plugs break is because the metal casing that surrounds the electrode end gets galled up and jammed into the bore that the plug sits in and the end separates from the end of the plug. Often times the porcelain and electrode do break along with it but thats not always the case. Im sure its not going to hurt using a plug socket though.

azmidget91

I think you still don't understand...Let me try to explain in another way.

If the socket is held at an angle it will try to push the spark plug into that same angle. If that happens the slightest bit, it would push the electrode towards the head and since it is gummed up with carbon it could put enough pressure on the electrode to possibly assist in braking the weld holding the electrode to the threaded body.

If you still think I'm wrong then move on and let the poll come up with some stats. It's just an experiment, I am not saying I am correct, but I do want to see if there is any connection to it or not.

kozal01

iTrader: (2)

I know exactly what you are saying and Im saying no, I dont think that has anything to do with the plugs breaking off in the heads. Thats my opinion, you asked for it, others may disagree.

azmidget91

I asked for people to answer the poll...not opinions, you are free to state them though.

T1320T

Anxious to see the results. I just bought an '07 w/ 142k & plan on swapping plugs soon. It might be interesting to hear what brand of socket is used also, bc we all know that all sockets are NOT created equal.

Mod (Ret.)

If it were as simple as using a "straight on" socket to prevent the socket from putting a side load on the lower metal from breaking the weld, then Ford would have issued a service paper on it back in 2004/2005.

Good luck with collecting valid stats though.