Got "defeated" trying to change out a knock sensor last night. The angle wasa okay to remove it, but trying to start the bolt back kind of bugarred the thread.

 

I did have a set of 3/8 drive swivel 6pt socket but something a little smaller would have probably got it from the start.

So, i picked up these today i needed this.

 

 

1/4 inch drive swivels, 12mm and 14mm 6pt Crafstman

3/8 wobble extension

1/4 drive long extension

 

I got beat last night on it, now i will maybe have better lucks.

I've thought about trying to use electrical tape to hold the bolt in the eye.

 

It is often frustrating. I use the connector end to help maneuver the eye of the knock sensor.

 

Often I stick a magnet to the side of my 3/8 wobble extension and that's just barely enough to help with the bolt. FYI Gearwrench does make extensions with a magnet at the end.

 

Just an awkward place. Atleast it's easy to see what is happenning, just hard to reach.

 

Still haven't found the best consistent approach. Always involves a magnetic pick-up tool and swearing - and a sore back.

dang, i knew i forgot to pick up the real extendable magnet thingy. What i use is a harddrive magnet taped to a screwdriver. I knew i was forgetting something again.

 

yeah figured out the tape thing.

 

hope the threads tap out fine, they should didnt go too much.

 

even self discovered a new mount hole for the knock sensor.

Snap-On has a socket with a magnet built in in 12MM shallow. Mine has installed over 250 knock sensors and looks like new.

Their swivel impacts are a must have. I have 10, 12, 14, 17 and have warrantied them 5 times on the small ones and 4 on the big ones over the past 5 years and they are damn durable. The number of times warrantied isn't a mark of the quality, just how hard I am on them.