where can you buy 4'' extension bar (3/8'' drive) ?

[fenixus]

looking for 3/8'' driver extension bar of 4 or maybe 5 inches long.

need them for more precise spark plug torque. seems all stores are selling standard extension lengths 3'', 6'' & 9'' (or 10'') ... i need something between 3''-6''...

on my 5S-FE only a flexible extension worked so far (far from precise torquing down). i was unable to use solid 3'' (too short) nor solid 6'' extension bars (crossbar above plug holes blocks access when it has the plug socket on it)...

[ekopel]

check out home depot, or autozone, checker and the much better quality...napa...

[fenixus]

nothing suitable online in AAP or AZ. so far found only this:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...112&zmap=67065

4'' might work, not sure though, need to measure how much of flexible extension bar sticks out of plug hole first to be sure what i need.

[fenixus]

i've just realized that maybe not the length of extension bar is my problem. perhaps my (solid) spark plug socket is the problem here ...

wondering if a swivel socket with 6'' xtension would fit under the crossbar ...

anyways they have them too (4 pc spark plug socket set):
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=95487

[fenixus]

hooray!!

swivel spark plugs socket did the trick! it fits perfectly with a 6'' solid extension bar under the crossbar, no flexi bias, no unbolting the crossbar, piece of cake. finally i was able to use my 3/8'' dr torque wrench on spark plugs hihi

[carsrus]

Originally Posted by ekopel

check out home depot, or autozone, checker and the much better quality...napa...

Napa tools are complete chinese junk. Ive seen them break so many times its not even funny.

If you need tools on a budget you cant beat craftsmen.

[JohnGD]

So the Solara has a crossbar across the engine? Camry 5sfe doesn't.

Originally Posted by fenixus

it fits perfectly with a 6'' solid extension bar under the crossbar, no flexi bias, no unbolting the crossbar, piece of cake. finally i was able to use my 3/8'' dr torque wrench on spark plugs hihi

[JohnGD]

I do have a Sears Craftsman extension set 43282 . On sale for $9.99. We'll likely see that next month on Black Friday.

While I won't call them Crapsman like others do, however, I don't think Danaher-made tools were as good as the old line they carried (Stanley Works??).

Originally Posted by carsrus

Napa tools are complete chinese junk. Ive seen them break so many times its not even funny.

If you need tools on a budget you cant beat craftsmen.

[fenixus]

Originally Posted by JohnGD

So the Solara has a crossbar across the engine? Camry 5sfe doesn't.

yup it does and it was a pain for an amateur like me. for 3 months I could only think of using flexible extension to get to the the plugs. torquing them down tight was a joke with a flexible bar... after 3 months i found my plugs almost loose, it took zero effort to unscrew them out.
above might have let some oil/vapors to get to the tubes.

[JohnGD]

Yeah, I guess Toyota had to stiffen the structure with the Solara. And yes, loose plugs might do that.

Is this your engine? If so you'll need to re-position the battery hold-down clamp. The forward L-clamp (near head lights) isn't on the battery's edge. And the arm is not centered between the vent caps. Be careful of acid. (wait, is the battery the correct size? 24F?)

Tighten only enough the hold-down doesn't move by hand. Otherwise the plastic case/top joint of the battery can crack open and leak acid.

Originally Posted by fenixus

yup it does and it was a pain for an amateur like me. for 3 months I could only think of using flexible extension to get to the the plugs. torquing them down tight was a joke with a flexible bar... after 3 months i found my plugs almost loose, it took zero effort to unscrew them out.
above might have let some oil/vapors to get to the tubes.

[fenixus]

yeah that's my car. i had this battery mounted like that for last 3 years. will fix it when doing the brake fluid flush this Sunday.

This battery is Duralast bought in Autozone 3 years ago. don't know size factor.
the battery clamp arm seems designed to support a higher unit. former battery which was an aftermarket Interstate purchased by prev owner, required 2 foam blocks under arm to secure tightly. i have never seen stock battery for this toyota model, perhaps they are real high units.

[Novice_cardude]

You could have just taken the 4 14mm nuts off the strut mounts (two of the three on each side) and taken the cross-bar out ... then you could have tackled it without the whole wobble/flex extension u-joint knuckle puller super ratchet dilemma or whatever was going on.

Yeah so i exaggerated a little. I'm just accustomed to taking apart anything that's in my way. It's just nuts 'n bolts.

[fenixus]

yes, i could have, but i don't have to now hihi

also i wasn't sure if i will be able to put it back on without using sideways force. of course that's not true, but i cannot know that and this is why i avoid removing things which serve more or less unknown purpose heh. i'm really starting with messing around cars LOL, didn't know if I can end up with a car splitting in two

[JohnGD]

You are using the nicer "Gold Top". I install "Red Tops" which are their mid-grade. Red Tops by Johnson Controls seem to hold up quiet well. None of those bottom Valucraft batteries however.

The battery heat shield seems to fit. So I wonder if you are missing a plastic tray under the battery. That might have solved it. Is it sitting on metal only?

I think it should be the Group 24F. 10.75"L x 8-7/8"H x 6-13/16"W.

Originally Posted by fenixus

yeah that's my car. i had this battery mounted like that for last 3 years. will fix it when doing the brake fluid flush this Sunday.

This battery is Duralast bought in Autozone 3 years ago. don't know size factor.
the battery clamp arm seems designed to support a higher unit. former battery which was an aftermarket Interstate purchased by prev owner, required 2 foam blocks under arm to secure tightly. i have never seen stock battery for this toyota model, perhaps they are real high units.

[fenixus]

Originally Posted by JohnGD

You are using the nicer "Gold Top". I install "Red Tops" which are their mid-grade. Red Tops by Johnson Controls seem to hold up quiet well. None of those bottom Valucraft batteries however.

The battery heat shield seems to fit. So I wonder if you are missing a plastic tray under the battery. That might have solved it. Is it sitting on metal only?

I think it should be the Group 24F. 10.75"L x 8-7/8"H x 6-13/16"W.

John, you made my day again!

haha, i am so dumb ... back then 3 years ago i installed this battery without that plastic rack (tray) ... i had no clue what that was for ... will remember now LOL no wonders it's been sitting too low (on metal) ... i wonder if i still have this tray ... last time i saw it not that long ago in the trunk of my old ride ('92 Buick Lesabre v6), being there in the corner... hmmm .. if i still got it, will get it fixed this Saturday, wanted to reset the ECU anyways (change of plugs, wires and fuel grade).

thanks!