Hi all,

I'm trying to replace the O2 sensor in my 89 GTA with the L98 engine, and I can get the electrical connector out fine, but it seems that my hands are just too big to easily remove the part of the O2 sensor that connects to the exhaust manifold. Do any of you have any ideas as to how I can more easily remove this, such as what tools would work, or what parts that may be in the way that I could safely remove to gain more room to work with?

Thanks!

Jason

 

i use a special O2 sensor socket with a long extension and ratchet. you can also try a regular 7/8" deep socket (dunno if it'd be long enough) with the extension but you might have to cut the wire.

 

Do you think that a place like Pep Boys might sell the O2 sensor socket?

 

Pep boys, Auto Zone, Advance Auto Parts, Discount Auto, NAPA, or any of them. Fairly cheap and better than busted knuckles and a banged head.

The Trickster!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Awesome, I'll go pick one up after work tomorrow night.

A couple of bucks for a tool is a heck of a lot better to put up with than getting cuts on your hands and having the cuts exposed to cold, dry air. >_<

Thanks!

 

You could also try a 7/8" box end wrench. I've had good luck using one on my cars (yes, I have the socket too, but sometimes it can't be used)

 

You can laugh but I'll usually use a hammer to break the end of the old O2 sensor off. Then I'll use a regular socket w/ breaker bar to remove it from the exhaust. I've always had good luck with this with minimal effort.

Those special sockets for the O2 sensor are typically only good for installing them (my experience). The special O2 sockets are not as rigid as a regular socket due to they are slotted to allow for the wire. If you have one on real good the socket will tend to slip and round off the O2 or the actual socket will break.

My .02

 

when i did it in my car i put a crescent wrench over the socket and went to the passengerside of the car and pulled from there. it worked like a charm. and i think i used a metric c wrench .

 

Thanks for the advice so far guys. I got the socket wrench extension, and it went on just fine, but now I have a new problem.

It won't come off! It's unbelievably stiff and won't budge for anything!

If I sprayed some WD-40 on the old sensor socket, would that help get it off easier, or is this not recommended because of the hot gases that come through there?

 

it would move easier if the exhaust was up to temperature (bung expands), but that makes it kinda difficult to get at it... it's a catch 22 alright.. A little brute force was what worked for me... (I did it when it was cold)

 

Yeah, run the engine and get the manifolds as warm as you can without burning yourself, gloves and long sleeves would be a good idea.

 

Good grief, I even warmed up the car and it's not budging!

I guess a socket wrench can't really be used to get this out. So a cresent wrench may work too?

 

I used WD-40 and a 12" or 15" (I forget) adjustable Crescent wrench. Also, some adjustable wrenches are shaped so when they are applied on a bolt or nut, it grabs 4 sides. Other ones are made only to grab 2 sides. I believe the brand name "Crescent" and "Craftsman" are the ones that are made to grab 4 sides.

2 sides:
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...&vertical=TOOL

4 sides:
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...id=00945503000

If you can fit a metal bar around the adjustable wrench handle, you could get some leverage to break the O2 sensor loose.

 

And the frustration continues...I thought this was supposed to be easy!

Anyhow, when I was getting the wrench on to the O2 sensor socket after spraying WD-40, the socket started to move. But then, the socket extension fell deep into the engine bay, around the Y-Pipe!

Will I be able to get this part out without having to get a set of jacks for it? I'm too big to crawl under the car, and it's already pretty low to the ground. I don't have any of those lying around, and I doubt auto parts stores are going to be open today.

Or maybe I should just take it to the dealer and get gouged $77.00.

 

Magnet. pull it back up.

 

Someone mentioned it before, but use a 1/2 drive, 12-inch extension, along with a 1/2 ratchet. Use a 7/8in deep socket (not the O2 sensor socket) to remove the O2 sensor.

Cut the wire from the O2sensor so it won't interfer with the deep socket. From the front DS you'll be abe to run the extension with the socket on it, on to the O2 sensor, then have plenty of room in front of the manifold (least on my IROC) to break it loose.

Use the 2 sensor socket for the installation of the new part..as far as finding the extension you dropped, you may have to get it from the underside of the car...but all told, yuo could actually buy an inexpesive floorjack, jackstands ( to fnd what you dropped) and tools to do the job for less than the $77.00 shop charge.