bjornebo

I had planned to replace caps and rotors this afternoon. Getting at the caps was no problem (good instructions on p-car.com and pcarworkshop), but I can't pull the wires/boots off of the caps. I tried pulling up, twisting the boots. Nothing worked. Maybe I just need stronger fingers?

TIA

BesideTheBox

Yes, that would help!

It can take quite a pull to get them off. And there is very little room between the plug ends, making it that much more difficult to fit fingers in to get a good grip on them.

Twist and pull, or pull and twist. Eventually you will figure out what works for you.

DanL993

If that was a chore, wait until you get to those damn screws on the caps!!

AND be sure to keep track of which plugs come from where. After they are all loose, it gets confusing. Ask me how I know!

FisterD

Twist and pull is the most effective way I have found. Yes, it does take strong fingers sometimes.

bruce7

Hi,

You could try using a tool like this. This one is made by Snap-on and it is what
I use to remove spark plug wires.

-bruce

https://picasaweb.google.com/bruce.c...17367861323330

nine9six

Leave it to Bruce to have the answer...Pliers, Boot, Vinyl Coated Offset Jaw Tips $29.10 @ snap-on
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog

If you are replacing cap & rotor; have you given any thought to the infinitely more important, distributor belt?

177mph

The screws on the distributor caps are much more trouble than the wires themselves. Good luck.

Quadcammer

once you get the first one off its much easier.

ilko

Pliers did the trick for me on the wires. The screws can be a major PITA, make sure you use a driver bit that is the exact size as the screw and have enough torque.

bjornebo

I will first try pulling/twisting/wiggling harder. Then on to the pliers.

I understand about labeling the wires. Great opportunity for confusion.

Re the screws, I have been able to loosen the three that I can see. I used the tip of tightening first and then loosening. I also used some penetrating oil. I am holding off on the fourth screw until I can get a couple of the wires off of the cap so that I can (hopefully) see what I am doing instead of doing this by feel.

nine9six

George,
Out of curiousity, what is the mileage on your car, and is there any specific reason you are replacing rotors and caps?

bjornebo

Just under 91K. I am doing this as a PM. The previous owner replaced them at 54K and 74K and I plan to do this at 30K intervals (while I have things apart to do the upper driver-side plugs). Based on pictures that I have seen (e.g., on p-car.com and pcarworkshop) the caps can be kind of beat up after 30K and I figure better safe than sorry.

JasonAndreas

The Snap-On Instinct screwdrivers make quick work of the caps too. Just below the handle you can turn them with a wrench!

IXLR8

And knowing where they go in each distributor cap and how they are routed. The following pic is original wiring and routing. (I) are upper plug leads and (II) are lower plug leads.

More ignition wire pics.

96PCarrera993mg

Great info here!
How often should one change caps, rotors, wires, plugs and distributor belt?

TIA