# Broken spark plugs in the motor!1 **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** sparkplugs\ **Created:** [November 11, 2007, 4:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/broken-spark-plugs-in-the-motor-1/7146 "2007-11-11T04:18:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Brandon1979](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c0e974/32.png) [@Brandon1979](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Brandon1979)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2007, 4:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/broken-spark-plugs-in-the-motor-1/7146/1 "2007-11-11T04:18:48Z")
How can I remove broken spark plugs that have a stripped head? I used a socket called THE GATOR GRIP and had on luck with it. ---
**Author:** ![JayWB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e480ec/32.png) [@JayWB](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JayWB)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2007, 6:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/broken-spark-plugs-in-the-motor-1/7146/2 "2007-11-11T06:00:53Z")
Exactly what is broken on the plug? Exactly where is it broken? And what kind of motor? ---
**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2007, 2:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/broken-spark-plugs-in-the-motor-1/7146/3 "2007-11-11T14:15:02Z")
If someone managed to round off the spark plug, the solution can be as simple as using a slightly smaller sized, 6 point socket. If metric, try next smaller SAE or visa-versa. Just pick a slightly smaller size and tap it onto the plug. Once out, you may have to transfer the socket to a vise in order to punch the plug back out. ---
**Author:** ![hemi567](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ecccb3/32.png) [@hemi567](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hemi567)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2007, 3:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/broken-spark-plugs-in-the-motor-1/7146/4 "2007-11-12T03:04:58Z")
vise grips mopar man ---
**Author:** ![Scudder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Scudder](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Scudder)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2007, 3:07am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/broken-spark-plugs-in-the-motor-1/7146/5 "2007-11-12T03:07:04Z")
🙂 Not on the #7 plug of a 440 though eh ? ---
**Author:** ![DARTMAN69](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/dartman69/32/29_2.png) [@DARTMAN69](https://community.cartalk.com/u/DARTMAN69)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2007, 4:51am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/broken-spark-plugs-in-the-motor-1/7146/6 "2007-11-12T04:51:58Z")
scudder: That sounds like experience talking. ~Michael ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2007, 5:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/broken-spark-plugs-in-the-motor-1/7146/7 "2007-11-12T05:49:00Z")
It would be interesting to know what kind of engine is being discussed and how it came to have multiple broken spark plugs. How does one strip off the hex of a spark plug? Or is the hex broken off from the shank? Vise Grips can be a handy tool but they won’t remove a stinkin’ one of the plugs in my Ford 4.6 DOHC. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Cougar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cougar/32/21348_2.png) [@Cougar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cougar)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2007, 4:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/broken-spark-plugs-in-the-motor-1/7146/8 "2007-11-13T04:25:28Z")
There are sockets on the market that don’t use the corners of the bolt head to apply the contact point. Instead they work on the flat part. I can’t remember who makes them but I think Craftsman has some of those type also. I would think a spark plug socket using that design would work for you. ---
**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2007, 9:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/broken-spark-plugs-in-the-motor-1/7146/9 "2007-11-13T09:42:13Z")
You may be thinking of the SPLINE SOCKETS. They will fit various bolt designs. ---
**Author:** ![Cougar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cougar/32/21348_2.png) [@Cougar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cougar)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2007, 3:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/broken-spark-plugs-in-the-motor-1/7146/10 "2007-11-13T15:50:44Z")
Thanks for the thought Hellokit. I looked at those but it wasn’t what I had in mind, though those may do the job. The name I was trying to remember came back to me this morning; I needed to sleep on it I guess. The name is Metrinch. I seem to remember that Craftsman had this design available also. Here is a link for a set of tools and it shows a good picture of one of the sockets. [http://www.cyberbrands.com/pub/metwrench.html](http://www.cyberbrands.com/pub/metwrench.html) ---
**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2007, 8:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/broken-spark-plugs-in-the-motor-1/7146/11 "2007-11-13T20:10:37Z")
Metrich sockets and wrenches are sized to fit a metric size and it’s nearest inch size. This compromise works; but, the socket (or, wrench) is just a wee bit loose on one or the other (inch or metric nut/bolt). The spark plug size is 5/8 inch. The Metrich socket is 16 millimeter (mm). This size is 0.1 mm larger than 5/8 inch. If it were the other way, it could help fit a rounded spark plug. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2007, 8:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/broken-spark-plugs-in-the-motor-1/7146/12 "2007-11-13T20:50:47Z")
[http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p\_10153\_12605\_00952165000P?vName=Automotive&cName=Tools+%26+Equipment&keyword=bolt+out](http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00952165000P?vName=Automotive&cName=Tools+%26+Equipment&keyword=bolt+out) I have these, and they have yet not failed to remove fasteners with rounded off heads. Tester