Difficult Plug Wire Removal

I had trouble getting the plug wires off this 2004 Corvette. Lucky me these have metal heat shrouds. I found a simple way to gain leverage to remove the wires from the plugs without smashing my fingers.

[@leh3827]

Sometimes those GM plug wires with the metal heatshield ends are SUPER HARD to get off! The best way to get them off, that I found, is to snap a small pair of needle nose vicegrips onto the edge of the heatshield. That gives you a better hold than your fingers and thumbs can ever do. You can even get a large size pry bar in there to push against the ends of the vicegrips. Sometimes prying with one hand, and shaking and yanking the vicegrips with the other hand are what it takes. They can be a real bugger to get off!!! Be sure to grease them up real good with dialectric grease or the likes before reinstallation.

[@JoeQuinn1971]

1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass ciera s with a 3.3 l v6 has the same metal shrouds around the boots. I was going to try to get the boot out of the shroudas no one else addressed the spark plugs on the back of the engine. One down, and two more to go on the back but I think I just took the hardest one out. Thank you!

[@andyleyva1828]

What a pain in the ass. This happens to me every time I change the spark plugs on my 07 Yukon XL. 5.3. Thanks for the video.

[@chrislockwood1321]

The 90 degree pliers technique worked magnificently! Great tip, thank you!

[@ZX2Fast]

I am glad it worked for you!

[@alfonsonavarro3555]

Your the man!! Thanks for the tool tip and technique. Worked on my stubborn 2004 6.0 Express plug boot

[@KTHKUHNKK]

Darn good idea you had there everything is really tough nowadays Nothing Is Made Easy anymore

[@Bobbyc719]

Thank you I've been struggling with a Tahoe lol

[@Bobbyc719]

@@Seximami420 I used a pry bar and it was not easy

[@shannonsminion]

Heck ya! Thank you! Having the same hard to remove issue with a 2000 Grand Prix! It's such a simple solution but in 2018 no one thinks simply except for you sir! You have saved me! Haha! It worked like a charm!

[@johncannonnh]

thanks for taking the time to video and explain this removal after smashing your thumb.

[@ZX2Fast]

You are welcome. I didn't lose my nail, but it was tender for a few days.

[@guidosalas7089]

I had a hell of time trying to pull from the spark plug boot, once I pulled from the metal heat shield it came out with some force. You will need a needle nose vise grips and a 90 degree angle needle nose plyers for tight spaces.

[@Danzilly]

My fingers thank you fella!

[@MrRainbowrooster]

Thanks for the video, this looks so much better than my approach, Gotta try it out. I was trying to pull the boot out of the shield. Did not work.

[@bodowling6337]

Technique was flawless 💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾,,,just like u said be careful of plastic

[@TheSilverSurfisher]

Greetings and thanks fir video, Will there be great difficulty putting shielded booted wire back in also? If so, any recommendation?

[@ZX2Fast]

If they are difficult too install, a small amount of dielectric grease applied to the rubber should ease installation.

[@georgejohnson6789]

Nice vid. Will do that on my 2004 yukon

[@NewAgeCaprice]

My 2013 caprice make me angry everytime

[@Candoit2]

Nice clean engine!!

[@jjones9290]

Excelent tip!

[@1435682]

If ONLY the designers of newer engines would revert back to the way in which earlier engines were designed we could all avoid having to go through all of this insanity as well as the physical and mental torture (and added expense) of all this crap just because some auto manufacturers want to make more money later on by selling more parts. This is nothing but a bunch of pure horsecrap.

[@justinshelton3]

Throw those metal cups in the trash and get some kevlar heat shields, little bit of dielectric grease on the porcelain and they'll pop right off easy peasy next time.

[@changeibc9599]

I have the Sand Wires on my 2004 GMC Yukon. I gave up

[@JasonSpitzMI50]

Nothing like delectrical Grease before installing the wire.

[@bengkelbawahpokok6753]

Thank you!

[@timothycarvelli2436]

Found it impossible to remove the boots/shields. Took a large screwdriver and hammered on the side of the shield breaking the spark plug. OR use a vice grips to grasp the shields and bend to the side breaking the spark plug. Once the plugs are broken the boot and shield come off quickly. Plugs I was removing were in the car for 12 years and 152K miles. Boots get glued onto the plugs.

[@changeibc9599]

Tried one and the spring stayed on the plug

[@tonyvillena1985]

I personally feel that this type of design from the manufacture engineering is absolutely unnecessary,they have tried to reinvent the wheel that it already round,I have a 07 Tahoe and to remove the spark plugs is a nightmare.