2003 GTS Spark Plugs

[pinkstond]

I attempted to replace the spark plugs myself on my wifes 2003 eclipse gts. All the directions say it's about a 2-3 hour job. So far I have spent 5 hours and I have not even got the intake manifold removed. All of the directions I have found show the intake manifold being one solid piece, and they show it being a lot easier to get to the back bolts that attach the manifold to the plenum. I am down to my last bolt and I just can not get it. Its really hard to fit your arms and hands between the manifold and the fire wall (but not impossible) but the location of this last bolt is a doozy. I have tried extensions, u joints, to try to get this last one off. Using the U joint it always seems to slip off when trying to loosen. With no u joint or with an extension there is not enough room to turn the socket wrench. And the angle that the bolt is at is tough because you have the heat shield from the header kind of in the way. Please see the pictures below:






Any help would be VERY VERY much appreciated as this car will be sitting in the drive way with the hood up until I can get this bolt off.

[FastJack]

I can't open your pictures so I am flying blind but can you access it it by using a boxend wrench with a built-in rachet?

[RahX]

Ratcheting wrench makes it so much easeir.