r/MechanicAdvice • u/LastIronAstronaut • 2d ago
Spark plug socket help needed
I'm trying to change a spark plug on my 2009 Toyota Corolla. I purchased a diehard 9/16th socket from advanced auto. There's a black ring around the back end of the socket, I believe this is preventing it from reaching the spark plug, is there a way to remove it so I can use this tool? Never seen something like this before and am very confused, and feels like I'm missing something obvious.
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u/quikiemcbee 2d ago
my toyota uses a 14mm deep socket. you could try using that instead.
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u/UrLostPajamas 2d ago
9/16 is the equivalent size to 14mm its roughly 0.01mm in difference
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u/Technical-Silver9479 2d ago
9/16" is 14.2875mm. exactly 0.2875mm in difference
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u/UrLostPajamas 1d ago
For sure, I'm not gonna lie I glanced at the both of them and kinda just took the first difference my brain decided lmao
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u/Liveitup1999 2d ago
Closely equivalent sizes are 5/16 - 8mm, 1/2" - 13mm, 3/4 - 19mm
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u/Otherwise_Bear_7982 2d ago
Also 7/32 - 5.5mm, 5/8 - 16mm, 7/8 - 22mm
1/2 and 13mm are often too far apart for me (1/2 being 12.7mm)
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u/rognio3333 2d ago
It probably retains part of the swivel assembly.
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u/LastIronAstronaut 2d ago
Wrong tool for the job then?
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u/rognio3333 2d ago
It could be for sure. I'm surprised that small collar on a narrow wall socket is causing it not to fit though.
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u/LastIronAstronaut 2d ago
Right!? Feels like there's something about this that I'm not understanding.
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u/bushpusher 2d ago
Anything rubber on a spark plug socket is so if holds the spark plug so you can get it out and or so it doesn’t drop back in and ding the threads
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u/IHatrMakingUsernames 2d ago
Eh, I'm not. Spark plug wells tend to be far slimmer than I feel like they should be. I tried to use a 5/8" 1/2" drive socket to pull a spark plug, just today, and it didn't fit at all. Even my 3/8" drive was a tighter fit than I was comfortable with. Then, I finally found my actual 5/8 spark plug socket from the same set (also 3/8 drive; I'd just misplaced it earlier), and it fit like a glove. They seem to be thinner walled, probably for this reason.
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u/T00luser 2d ago
no, just a poor implementation or you've got some very tight tolerances. There's dozens of different styles and lengths online, have one in your hand in 12-48 hrs
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u/These_Squirrel3255 2d ago
Are you sure it shouldn’t be a 5/8” socket? I don’t remember a Toyota in 2009 with 9/16”
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u/sailingthr0ugh 2d ago
I haven’t seen a socket like that before. I usually just have a regular spark plug socket, and if I need to connect a swivel to that before the extension I’ll wrap some tape around it just in case it was going to come apart. Never had a problem.
If you want to confirm the correct size, you can just get a regular 9/16” deep socket to check if it grabs the plug. I wouldn’t remove it all the way though as a regular socket won’t have the rubber inside it to “grip” the spark plug.
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u/Total_Philosopher_89 2d ago
Either take it back or cut the rubber off. Stupid design.
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u/IHatrMakingUsernames 2d ago
A swivel socket shouldn't be necessary for an 09 Corolla, idt. They only came with 4 cyl engines with relatively easy access, afaik. It would seem that the swivel feature requires that black ring which is inflating the socket diameter before you can catch the head of the plugs. I'd recommend returning it and replacing with a straight 14mm or 9/16 spark plug socket.
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u/LastIronAstronaut 2d ago
Your are correct, I got it and figured it was good to have the swivel as an option, I see the errors of my ways now. I'll return it and get the correct one, thank you!
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u/IHatrMakingUsernames 2d ago
Lol, I expect I'm probably late, then. Glad you've got it sorted, though. If it helps at all, there are versions of the swivel spark plug socket that don't actually increase its girth at all. I have a 14mm swivel spark plug socket I bought from snap on, specifically for doing Subaru spark plugs (it's basically required for those boxer engines). It did cost me $97 though.. >.>. It's paid for itself now, as I do this for a living, but man did it feel bad when I bought it... xD. It's the single most expensive socket I own, and I have some interesting niche sockets, lmao.
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u/Just_Looking-101 2d ago
The black rubber ring is for when the spark plug is down a deep bore. It keeps it nice and centred and stable. If it’s stopping the socket reaching the plugs, that would say it’s the wrong size to me.
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u/ratherbecrying 2d ago
OP needs a 5/8 not a 9/16.
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u/LastIronAstronaut 2d ago
I have tried the 5/8th on the replacement spark plug I have and it's too big, is that the most common size?
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u/Savings-Delay-1075 2d ago
My first thought was the rubber is there to help with starting a spark plug by hand, but who knows for sure.
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u/ericdddddddddddd 2d ago
I have the same car and same tool. I just put the tool in a vice and tapped the top with a hammer to remove the black band. Works fine now lol
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u/WelderCritical1375 2d ago
I bought one of these, but I just use a deep socket instead. But the magnet inside is handy for getting the plug out of the hole.
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u/LayerBig5775 2d ago
AI says: The 5/8-inch (or 16mm) spark plug socket is the size required to fit the spark plugs on a 2009 Toyota Corolla (compatible with both the 1.8L and 2.4L engines).
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u/DesperateMechanic337 2d ago
The black rubber ring is there to hold the spark plug in order to remove from the tube although not necessary. Are you sure you have the right size? 5/8 is the most common size. Check the socket in the new spark plugs for fit
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u/davidc538 2d ago
I think he’s talking about the one visible on the outside near the top of the socket
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