Dark Blue

I went to change my spark plug wires this weekend with the new Beru's I got from Roger on sale. Unfortunately, the current spark plug boots are really stuck in the valve cover. I tried pulling on one with a pair of channel locks and busted some of the plastic, so I gave up.

Is there a trick, tool or technique for getting these out. I looked at some internet sites and one suggested injecting WD-40 through the rubber w/ a syringe, but that sounded a little sketchy, and I don't have a syringe.

Any help is much appreciated. My leads have probably been in there for 12 yrs since the last time I changed spark plugs. I'm sure they're original to car.

Thanks,

Steve
'89 S4 Auto

davek9

I always try to turn them first to break the seal, then use a plastic body shop tool to lever them up.
I did have one break once, so they can get really stuck.

corellian vette

Get a thin-bladed screw driver and go around the edge. Spray some WD or Silicon Lubricant.

NoVector

Spark plug wire puller. A tool not used very often, but not expensive either. They work because of the 360 grip on the boot.

mike77

+1 on the spark plug puller. It works

Dark Blue

Should I buy the 45 degree offset tool or the straight one. I'm on Amazon now looking. Thanks!

Steve

M. Requin

Best cheapest: drum brake adjusting tool. Sharply angled end pops 'em right off.

NoVector

I have the straight ones and it worked on my 84 and the 93. I've never used the 45 degree ones though so I can't offer a comparison.

jheis

I agree with the trick to use something thin to break the seal between the gasket and the cam cover first, then I use a pair of pliers like these - allows you to get a straight pull - worked great when I did my '89 a few months ago.

dr bob

I have the "universal" plug wire tool listed first above, plus a Genuine Beru tool that's similar, expensive, and works no better. I hadn't thought about using the hose pliers, but will add that to my "great solutions" database. For those playing along at home, Harbor Freight has a set of 3 sizes these pliers, that are way handy. Not as pretty as the Tekton, but likely from the same fried wonton noodle factory.

corellian vette

You can get a set of hose pliers at Harbor Freight in multiple sizes, which are good to have around and also work for this project

jheis

Hmmm, seems like I heard that before.

Actually mine were part of a 6 piece set of "Oly-Pro" long reach pliers I got at Costco about 10 years ago. I "borrowed" the image of the Tekton branded ones from the interwebs.

The Harbor Freight pliers would work fine - you don't need Snap On to pull plug boots....

Dark Blue

Just wanted to thank you for a great tip. My "circle pliers" came from Amazon yesterday and they worked like a champ getting the stuck boots out with no damage. Cost like eight bucks. Now if I could just get that two hrs back when I was trying to pull them by hand and smashing them with channel locks. Thanks!

Steve