Ignition Wire Clips

[Cercion]

I've just started the longest spark plug job of my life. I've been hugging the block for hours now and have only managed to switch out four out of the six plugs. Heh. Only 3 and 5 are remaing... however I still need to do the wires for 1, 3, and 5. Herein lies my problem... the little plastic clips on the ignition wires which support and seperate the wires are the devil to get off. I just used brute force to get the ones off on my passenger side, but really, there *has* to be a better way. Any tips or suggestions? I've tried pushing on the clasp part, pinching the triangular piece of plastic jutting up, ripping the top off... etc... but wound up just pulling the snot out of it until they would finally pop. On the driver side, I don't have enough room to do this. Do ya'll just pop off your air intake to get a little more wiggle room? Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

2001 Blazer 2DR 2WD

[wolfox]

The first time I swapped wires, the little plastic clip for #1 turned loose with a little jiggling with needle nose pliers. The rest are just on push-in stand-offs on my engine. To reach #3 and #5, I go in through the wheel well with a short, magnetic plug socket, a 20 degree wobble extension that's 6" long, then a 12" extension on that after dropping the tire off. Works like a charm for me. It's a bear, but one you can wrestle to ground easily if you take your time - and wear long sleeves.

[Cercion]

What're you using to push the plast tab in? I've tried with straight and bent needle nose and a flat head screwdriver. Can't seem to get it off without gripping the part that opens with the needle nose and pulling until the clip is mangled... then it comes off :-p

[wolfox]

I compress the tab against the body of the clip's back, the jaws of the pliers spread basically across the entire "plug" part so it pushes on that tab. Then a wiggle of the wrist and a gentle tug and she comes out. Mine comes out from the tab side, as there is a little band of plastic that holds the side opposise of the tab, so all you are doing is compressing to release it, and then tugging back and to the side in a rotation away from the tab.

[Cercion]

Originally Posted by wolfox

so all you are doing is compressing to release it, and then tugging back and to the side in a rotation away from the tab.

worked like a charm. Thanks!

[wolfox]

You're most welcome - see you on the highway! Or better yet, some back-woods trail.