There is seriously 3/4 of an inch between the plug socket and the steering column, i have NO room to work any tools in there.

TANNERITE!

Just kidding...you might have to pull stuff or drop the engine.  Sucks but that is the problem.

f**k that.  i have a bad plug somehwere and i bet like hell that is the one.  i got it out before, but i should have written it down because i have no idea how i ever got it out.

can you even get the socket on there?

if so, take a wrench to it, instead of a ratchet

Quoted: can you even get the socket on there? if so, take a wrench to it, instead of a ratchet

all the crap around that plug makes it impossible to even get a wrench on the end of the socket.  im going to go and try putting a jack on the engine, maybe i can lift it a little.  if i can even find a place to put the jack, these new-fangled autos have plastic and shit all over the place under them.  all i know of that is exposed is the starter, like hell im going to put a jack on that.

You can do it. It takes some time but I was able to remove the old and replace with a new plug. Took about 45 minutes due to the steering mechanism. (1995 CHevy 4.3 blazer)

Quoted: You can do it. It takes some time but I was able to remove the old and replace with a new plug. Took about 45 minutes due to the steering mechanism. (1995 CHevy 4.3 blazer)

what did you do?  use a universal?  take the steering column out?  use a wrench on the socket?

skip it

It was several years ago but I recall going through the wheel well. I believe that I turned the steering wheel so that one of the flat sides of the steering column was adjacent to the tip of the plug in order to gain more clearance.  I used a combination of universal joint, flex head ratchet, extension, and regular spark plug socket to lossen the plug. Once it was loose, I used my finger tips to get the plug the rest of the way out. This by no means is easy and I told my wife last week that we will sell the damn thing before I have to replace that plug again. I also recall needing some bandaids after it was in for some bloody knuckles.  I really feel your pain as it was poorly designed to account for the occasional tune up. Good luck!!

Quoted: It was several years ago but I recall going through the wheel well. I believe that I turned the steering wheel so that one of the flat sides of the steering column was adjacent to the tip of the plug in order to gain more clearance.  I used a combination of universal joint, flex head ratchet, extension, and regular spark plug socket to lossen the plug. Once it was loose, I used my finger tips to get the plug the rest of the way out. This by no means is easy and I told my wife last week that we will sell the damn thing before I have to replace that plug again. I also recall needing some bandaids after it was in for some bloody knuckles.  I really feel your pain as it was poorly designed to account for the occasional tune up. Good luck!!

goody.  they went to a round steering column on the 2000 so i guess im taking that bitch off, and having someone bring me a bottle of jack.  gotta stay warm!

Quoted: I'd strongly suggest anti-seize lubricant once you do get it out!

thats SOP on pretty much anything I do.  All the plugs i got out so far were fairly easy to loosen.  Its only been about 16 months since I last did them, I used some of those fancy solid-fcking-gold deals, and they have been misfiring i believe.  so i am sending them back to bosch and putting factory-specified ones back in.

Make sure you replace it with the best, longest lasting plug you can find!