Help choosing Spark plug socket

[ZoomZ]

Need to get 9/16 (14mm) Socket for Nissans.

I had a generic thin wall 14mm with magnet retention. The magnet broke. now useless.

would you get: 6 point or 12? Magnet retention or rubber? Other form of retention?

I have these 3 picked out: (cost is not an issue. need quality and warranty but which works best)

https://shop.snapon.com/product/Ret...nk-Drive-Retention-Spark-Plug-Socket/S9714MKR

https://shop.snapon.com/product/Standard,-mm-(Spark-Plug-Sockets)/3-8"-Drive-6-Point-Metric-14-mm-Flank-Drive-Standard-Spark-Plug-Socket/S9714MKS

https://kokencanada.ca/collections/...q-dr-spark-plug-socket-with-spring-clips-14mm

https://kokencanada.ca/collections/...cts/spark-plug-socket-with-clip-3-8sq-dr-14mm

 

[Leo99]

I like my 6 pt magnetic socket with built in long extension that is perfect for my Toyotas. Cost was about $12.

 

[Chris142]

I bought this set on Amazon for about $20. Does what I need it to do. No way would I pay $71 for just a socket

 

[ZoomZ]

I bought this set on Amazon for about $20. Does what I need it to do. No way would I pay $71 for just a socket

View attachment 329591

I also wanted to stay away from attached extensions types. Can these ones be removed? I get 25% off Snap-on and I get some company awards dollars. So my decision may be easier for cost.

 

[Urshurak776]

$71 for a spark plug socket?

No thanks.....

 

[Hohn]

Koken.

https://kokenusa.com/products/z-series-3-8-sq-dr-spark-plug-socket-with-spring-clips-14mm

Not the cheapest, but certainly among the best.

 

[mk378]

I like the attached extensions because they won't detach while you're trying to pull the socket off of the plug after installing it.

 

[JeffKeryk]

I bought a magnetic 9/19" spark plug socket off Amazon. Works well for my limited use.

 

[Trav]

I would split the difference between the high priced Snap on and cheap junk and buy the $37 one from Koken.

 

[ZoomZ]

I would split the difference between the high priced Snap on and cheap junk and buy the $37 one from Koken.

I may buy both. LOL. In different sizes of course.

 

[ZoomZ]

$71 for a spark plug socket?

No thanks.....

That's in Canadian dollars, so only 10 US bucks> LOL

 

[Prison_Mike]

would you get: 6 point or 12? Magnet retention or rubber? Other form of retention?

I personally never use 12 point unless I have no other option. Sometimes they feel snug enough until you add the ugga duggas and it slips and strips what you're wrenching.

 

[HemiBenny]

I like the attached extensions because they won't detach while you're trying to pull the socket off of the plug after installing it.

The swivel feature also prevents side torquing of the spark plug.

 

[D60]

The swivel feature also prevents side torquing of the spark plug.

Actually this is my concern with swivel extensions: they can cock/bind against the plug well bore and force the socket sideways, thus trying to push the plug crooked. I've never really had it cause damage, but I'm also acutely aware of it and work to mitigate it, especially with the new plug going in.

@ZoomZ I just went through a similar decision with 5/8". First, magnetic always. Rubber sucks. Second, cheap sets use cheap epoxy and the magnets don't stay. I finally settled on a Lang/Kastar which is supposed to be here today. I was also unwilling to pay SnapOn prices for a single socket.

 

[fat biker]

Learn something new every day.
Until right now, I never knew of a magnetic plug socket.
I bet the Snap-on tools are nice.

 

[HemiBenny]

Actually this is my concern with swivel extensions: they can cock/bind against the plug well bore and force the socket sideways, thus trying to push the plug crooked. I've never really had it cause damage, but I'm also acutely aware of it and work to mitigate it, especially with the new plug going in.

I get what you’re saying, but I’ve never felt any of mine cock/bind as I was installing a spark plug by hand, they’ve always started easily for me.

Of course, like you said, I’m always paying close attention to how the plug feels going in, no matter what I’m using. Once upon a time, I’ve used a piece of rubber hose to start some. I’m sure most of us here have at one point in time.

 

[Leo99]

I get what you’re saying, but I’ve never felt any of mine cock/bind as I was installing a spark plug by hand, they’ve always started easily for me.

Of course, like you said, I’m always paying close attention to how the plug feels going in, no matter what I’m using. Once upon a time, I’ve used a piece of rubber hose to start some. I’m sure most of us here have at one point in time.

The old V8s that I've worked on had angles that the plugs threaded into and they were not the easiest to get lined up correctly. They would bind and you had to try again to get the plugs at the right angle. My Toyotas have the threads down inside the valve cover and they are straight down so it's easy to use a magnetic socket with a built in extension and twist them in by hand. The tube through the valve cover guides them right in. I thread them in by hand until snug and give them a little twist with a ratchet to seat.

 

[Urshurak776]

I would split the difference between the high priced Snap on and cheap junk and buy the $37 one from Koken.

I still think it's too much for a simple DIY person doing his family/friends cars in the driveway (like me.) Obviously if you have a business or it's your job it makes sense.

You guys are gonna get mad at me, but I bought a set on Amazon like 20 years ago for less than $10 and they have worked fine for me. I have one I got from Harbor Freight probably 25 years ago and it's fine also. YMMV.

 

[D60]

Learn something new every day.
Until right now, I never knew of a magnetic plug socket.
I bet the Snap-on tools are nice.

The rubber won't release reliably and/or stays on the plug, which really sucks if it's a deep well. 14mm even worse because usually those bores are relatively tiny.

I've sworn off all rubber insert plug sockets. But cheap magnetic ones are annoying, too, if the magnet doesn't stay in place. I also have an inexpensive PowerTorque magnetic from O'Reilly and the magnet is too deep in the socket to touch the plug hex. Very annoying.

 

[PandaBear]

6 point for sure. I had some worn out 12 point and have bent those T shape spark plug wrench before on a bad plug stuck in the head (I think coolant got in and glue them together).

Magnetic doesn't have to be on the same socket as the 6 point for turning the plug. You can have a good strong 6 point socket that is not magnetic and then use any 14mm magnetic to pull it out after it is loosen.