wow, anyone got any tips on removing O2 sensors???

[darw_n]

OK, they are fused on there (oxygen sensors that is). I didn't have the proper box wrench, I am buying one tomorrow, but the drivers side is at a horrible angle. Any tips?

I refuse to pay someone to remove them, but I don't want to strip them out either!

Who has the seceret for removing 106k O2 sensors??

2000 D2

thanks for ANY tips!!!


BTW, with heating them with a blow torch help at all??

Cutting them down to get a socket in there??

anything!!

 

[flyfisher11]

Heat them and use the correct tool.

Cheers,

Mike

 

[darw_n]

I thought so. But to verify, is a simple box wrench (what, size 19?) the "proper tool"? or is there an actual O2 tool that I am not aware of?

and as far as heating them, I don't have a cutting torch laying around. Will a simple torch, like ones used for plumbing, work?

sorry if that sounds naive, but i am. The only torch action i ever had was in a junk yard

I will say that the one thing I am worried about is that the drivers side has only a small amount of motion due to the angle of things. But all you guys change them all the time, so I should just think "glass half full" on this one I guess..

thanks for the tips!!

 

[MUSKYMAN]

fuck it...I knock them flat with a saws-all and remove the with a 6 sided standard socket.

then use lots of anti-sieze on the new ones

 

[darw_n]

that's what I was thinking, but I don't know if there is uranium in there, or hydrochloric acid that will burn my nose off or something, so that is why I am asking...

Do I even need a sawsall, or is the metal in the core soft where a hand hack saw will work?

Or will I start a fusion reaction that will destroy 18 city blocks?

thanks!

 

[MUSKYMAN]

hack saw will work...LOl

 

[darw_n]

no seriously, will a hack saw get the job done? Or am i being retarded?

can't tell if you joking or not

 

[97Rover]

If all else fails, use a big hammer.

 

[Butch]

Try to loosen them while the exhaust is hot. That should make the removal easier.

 

[RoverDisco98]

Cut the wires off and use one of these.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00952166000P

 

[alex]

If the flats aren't destroyed yet, you can probably use a flare nut wrench to remove them. Just run the truck for a while to get the exhaust hot first. If you already rounded them off, then you can use a pipe wrench on the flats (if you put it on the body you will just twist it off)

 

[Gig'em Ags]

I recently had the same problem. I tried a combination wrench (17mm, I think), but couldn't get enough of the sensor to grab, so it stripped. I had to cut off the O2 sensor using a saws-all (nothing noxious came out, in fact the inside is mostly cermaic). Then I tried a socket and actually ended-up using a bolt-out socket to finally break it free. Of oucrse, once I had it out, I found that the replacement I ordered was the wrong size and now I have a hole in my exhaust for another couple of days while I wait for the correct size to come in.

 

[mprocopio]

Maybe I was using the wrong blade for my sawszall, but it was not cutting through the ceramic on the inside of the sensor.

I used an angle grinder with a cutoff wheel and it smoked like crazy cutting through that thing.

Then using a couple swivel extensions I was able to get a 6pt socket on there and remove it.

This was the passenger side front. It looks like the driver side one would be much harder to get to with a socket.

 

[Steph]

If you want the right tool, it's an O2 socket that you need. Its a regular socket with a gap in it for the wire. You'll still have to heat it up, but that socket makes it an easy job.

 

[darw_n]

thanks for all the tips!!

One problem is that as far as I can tell, it is impossible to get a socket on the drivers side. There is no room between the frame and the sensor to squeeze it in.

 

[Wasatch Disco]

I used a crows foot wrench, breaker bar & a floor jack handle.

With enough leverage, you'll get it.
http://www.steritool.com/images/product/30158.jpg

 

[darw_n]

how on earth are you fitting a breaker bar by the frame?? I wonder if mine is at a different placement than everyone else for some reason, I can just barely get a wrench on it without smacking into something

 

[MUSKYMAN]

by removing the 6 bolts and dropping the y pipe

 

[ozscott]

I used a crows foot spanner and elbow grease...still warm exhaust...came off pretty easilt on both sides, but awkward. I had mine up on a hoist to make it easier.

Cheers

 

[scubaman]

I just removed my O2 sensors last week, 2000 DII with 103k miles. I used a 22cm wrench, some liquid wrench, and a torch to heat up the pipe.