I need something strong to retrieve a wrench socket from a deep spark plug port. There's a rubber ring inside to keep out dust, and it pulls the socket right off the extension bar when you try to withdraw it.
I just barely managed to fish it out with one of those 3-prong grabbers, and I'd like to know what you would use. Even better if it's some ordinary thing around the house instead of a specialty item from a hardware store.
Thanks, Jm
A coat hanger. Bend a short hook at the end with pliers. You get the idea.
--Vic
Hmm. Awright, that's thinkin ! I'll give it a try.
Vic Smith wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com:
This "DemoDisk"guy posted this identical-same question in alt.autos.honda, independently of his post here.
I suggested exactly what you just did, but with a few more details.
Hey "DemoDisk", learn to properly cross-post.
Hey Tegger, how about those details? Always looking for new tricks. Sometimes the most obvious don't come easy.
--Vic
Vic Smith wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com:
Simple details. I suggested bending slightly /more/ than 90-deg, and hammering the tip slightly flatter to help get past the rubber gasket if it happened to be right up against the square hole.
That about covers it for a coat hanger. Maybe.
--Vic
If you have a fish hook, try that out. cuhulin
And next time, duct tape the plug socket to the extension before you stick it in the hole. As a kid, I saw one guy who bought a socket and extension at a garage sale, and welded them together.
Ouch. I wouldn't do that to good tools. I guess the duct tape thing w/b good, if a little messy.
Coat hanger, too. Fish hook, no.
Hey, Tegger. I always thought people hated cross posting because it's so easy. I posted separately to about seven different groups to elicit more responses and to deter people who go ballistic when you clutter up 'their' NG with cross-posting.
Damned if ya do, damned if ya don't ...
is it a standard 3/8" drive socket? This is the application for which locking extensions were invented.
nate
Crossposting is good, because it means all the groups see the same thread.
Crossposting to SEVEN groups is a really bad idea. Multiposting to SEVEN groups is even worse. If you think your question is of interest to seven different newsgroups, you're probably wrong, no matter what the question is.
Crossposting to two or three groups can be a good thing although some folks just killfile anything crossposted to three or more.
--scott
The rubber ring in a spark plug socket is for the purpose of holding the plug so you can easily withdraw it from the hole (not to keep out dust).
Now that you got it out, put a touch of silicone lube on the rubber ring for the next time you use it. It will still hold the plug, but loosens its grip just enough to be able to pull it back out with the extension when you're done. The other thing you will want to do, without resorting to coat hangers every time, is to go through your extensions and find one (or buy one) with a particularly strong spring in the little ball that holds it to the socket.
I like to use needle nose vice grips. I pull those rubber rings out, but then you run the risk of cracking the insulator.
This may be the answer to your problem
Lugnut
"DemoDisk" wrote in news:rPednaVlKNrj7yfWnZ2dnUVZ snipped-for-privacy@yournetplus.com:
Flip over the ratchet to on and give it a slight turn. You'll feel when it's loose. Then just pull it off.
Noted. Thanks, Scott.
Mm!! That's one LO-Ong socket. Thanks for the link.
Another respondent offered this:
which would solve the problem of connections slipping off.
I've welded more than a few tools over the years. Also have drilled, bent, made more than a few as well. One of the reasons I visit HF and buy some tools is for those times.
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