CTA Tools2376 14mm x 12 Pt. BMW Spark Plug Socket

True that the connection to the extension is loose. Use tape to secure the socket to your extension before you start. I had no problem pulling the plugs out. However, to put new plugs in, the grip is too tight even for the ceramic tip. Once the o-ring is removed from the socket though, it is too loose. To hold onto the plug for its descent into the well, I put a strip of electrical tape into the socket. You use enough to make the socket hold the plug. Leave a long end to stick on the outside so it won't come off and get stuck in the well.If the socket is too tight to fit onto the old plugs, remove the o-ring. Unscrew the plugs from the holes, then use a magnetic pole, long nose plier, or chopsticks to fish the plugs out.If this seems like too much of a workaround, get a magnetic one with a long extension for just a few dollars more.

Got mine in the mail today, opened and went to work changing spark plugs. I jammed the socket onto the first spark plug, and removed it from the head in seconds. Much to my surprise, that plug was stuck so friggin tight in my brand new socket, the reviews were right 😱!!! Well, I got it loose, then spritzed the interior of the socket with dielectric grease (I use it on the new plugs going in anyway, try it, thank me later). After that, the socket maintained the perfect amount of tension onto the plug for extraction of the old, and installation of the new plugs, ALL WITHOUT A LOCKING EXTENSION. 🤯🤯🤯

The short review: It gets the job done and for cheap.However, this was the cheaper of the two non-BMW options I found. My main gripe with this socket is the o-ring inside the socket intended to grip the ceramic on the spark plug was too tight. When I went to pull the socket off the plug, it slipped off the extender. This was easily remedied by using a small pick (similar to a dental pick) to take out the o-ring. Of course now the plug won't stay in the socket as you try to pull the old one out. I ended up using my flexi-grabber tool (I have no idea what the actual nomenclature of that is) to pull out the old plugs. You could probably also solve this problem by leaving the o-ring in and and duct taping the extensions to the socket. This could get pretty annoying if you have to use various combinations of extensions to change all of your plugs.The socket may not slip off all types of extensions, but I was using the craftsman pros, which I can imagine are probably among the most popular sockets used by home mechanics. I haven't used the more expensive version of this tool though. It may very well do the same thing.Again, I can't complain. It got the job done cheaply and any BMW home-mechanic can probably appreciate that.

Great quality and Price! Works as designed and looks like it will last a long time. Would recommend.

As many others have pointed out, the plug fits very tight in this socket. I took a look and found out that there is an o-ring inside the socket that holds the plug. I happen to have some o-rings with very similar diameter but thinner. I replaced the original o-ring with mine and found out it still can be a bit too tight. I then filed down the outer edge of the new o-ring a bit to get a good tightness. Worked beautifully after the mod. Taking out 1 star because it was too tight. (but I think a bit of dielectric grease may help. Or if you plug/unplug many times, it can get looser.)

Exactly as described. Came packaged well, shipped quickly, got the job done! However the little rubber O-Ring inside was a LITTLE bit snug, when trying to pull the socket out after installing a plug, it was pulling the socket off my extension. Better too tight than too loose though! Simple fix - I took a qtip with the slightest dab of dish soap on it, and rubbed it directly and only onto that rubber ring inside before installing EVERY OTHER spark plug. Also electric taped the socket to my extension, BIG help. I'm sure once you use it a bit, they'll come out just fine. But the dab of dishsoap worked. (I wouldnt want the oring any looser, or upon removing the old ones, it otherwise may not hold them to extract them. So I believe it was working as intended)

It's a solid tool that gets the job done. The only catch is the inner O-ring that holds the spark plug in place is waaaaay to tight and I literally had to tape my extension to the end of this tool to keep it popping off.I ended up getting my needle nose pliers and pulling the O-ring out entirely and using a box cutter to shave off the sides of of the O-ring. took like 3 minutes then pushed the O-ring back into the socket. Works perfect now just enough grip to hold while being loose enough to remove without yanking off.Overall good buy considering other tools run $30 plus.

Lot of negative comments on this item for not being able to lock it to the Socket Extension bar. Yes, it is true that the socket slips if you use a normal extension. However, there is a simple mod you can do to be able to use a locking socket extension like this:http://www.harborfreight.com/4-pc-38-in-drive-uick-release-extension-bar-set-67976.htmlAll you have to do is, cut a small 1/4" slit about 1/2" from the top of the inside where the socket drive fits using a Dremel and one of these bits:http://www.harborfreight.com/50-piece-diamond-rotary-point-set-69665.htmlTook me a couple of minutes to make a slit and from there on, the socket locked fine to the Extension bar.

Fits perfectly for 2011 X3 spark plug. Good quality. Like the tight grep that holds the spark plug. Lube the rubber with mild soap water for easier to remove the socket for installation. Recommended.

This worked great. Needed this for BNC connectors on electronic devices.

Good quality socket that does the job for weekend mechanic. At first, I tested the socket and encountered the same issue as others (socket holds the spark plug with too much friction, socket would release itself from the extension bar); however this is easily rectified by using a quick spray of mild soap in the socket which helps slip the spark plug in and out. No problems encountered for the rest of the uninstall/install (12 plugs). Just make sure you remove the socket slowly (don't yank it out) and give the plugs enough time to dry off (or use a shop towel) before reinstalling the ignition coils.I would see a professional mechanic may need a socket that has a more accurate "rubber" inside the socket so they would not need to use the soap method.

Ordered this tool to change the spark plugs on my N54 engine. Fit into the spark plug channel no problem thanks to the thin wall design of the socket. My only 'issue' was that the rubber grommet in the socket to hold onto the spark plug was a little too tight, so whenever I finished installing a new plug and went to pull the tool off, the connection between the socket and spark plug was stronger than the connection of the socket to my extension bit. Gotta use a little finesse to get it to come off.Anyway, it was the right tool to get the job done

Good value for the money. Only issue was the rubber inside the socket didn't grip the plug being removed as well as I had hoped. Overall happy with it. Worked great on my 2012 Mazda 2.0l Sky-active.