Removing #3 spark plug on 98' Blazer. Impossible?

Hello all
Doin tune up on 98' Blazer.#3 spark plug is completely blocked by the steering column. No way to get at itfrom up top or thru the wheel well. anyone have experience with this? thanks in advance.
Paul

use a deep socket with hex end, that way you can get a wrench on the back of it. It,s going to be tight still , but it will get the job done.

The easiest way is to unbolt the intermediate shaft from the steering box. You just lift up the shaft and it's a straight shoot throught the wheel well. Just make sure you don't turn the steering wheel during this. I believe the bolt that holds the shaft on is an 11mm bolt.

I encountered the same probablem on a 95' Blazer. My mechanic said he tilted the engine to get to the spark plug #3 when i had him do the tune up, but as far as a personal tune up, it is easier to move the steering column rather than hastle with trying to get it out another way since the engine compartment is so crammed. yet another crappy design from chevy, but we all get used to dealing with that by now.

you dont need to go thru all that. Do what chris from canada said but there should be an orange sleeve on the steering column, just pull that down and you will have just enough room to do what you gotta do.

Where are the spark plugs located on a 1998 chevy blazer?

Yup, like chris and Brian said, pull the orange sleeve down and you'll be good to go.

I also turn the steering wheel until the flat side of the shaft lines up with the plug. That provides a little more room.

Matt, how do you pull the orange sleeve down? I can't seem to get it to budge. Thanks!

Brian wrote:

you dont need to go thru all that. Do what chris from canada said but there should be an orange sleeve on the steering column, just pull that down and you will have just enough room to do what you gotta do.

This works best. I tried the steering column as well and this is much easier. I would suggest that one would consider using either a 45 degree offset wrench, or a "shorty" or snub wrench to afford more working room.

I use a long extension and a snap on swivel 5/8 spark plug soket,Feed it down from the top threw the brake lines and it goes right on and off

How do you remove the # 2, 4,6 spark plugs? What do I have to unbolt or move to get them out?

smitty

I just removed the steering shaft and went through the wheel well to get to the driver side plugs. It was very easy. Detach the intermediate shaft from the steering gear shaft. To do this find the U-joint plastic shield. Pop the two halves apart with a screwdriver and pull it out. Then remove the U-joint pinch bolt. Pull up on the upper shaft and it should telescope into itself. There is a picture on page 10-19 of the Chilton guide #28862. (That's where I quoted from) Then to make it easier still, go through the wheel well and you will have plenty of room to remove the spark plugs. I'm so happy I found this post.

I thought I was the only one. Had that one changed by shop after I changed all the other 5 in 15 Min. And tried to do #3 for an hour.

Thank you all for info on this. I thought my man was going to break something.
Now I know where to look for great helpfull info!
USA HANDY AND HANDSOME.

paulie1967 wrote:

Hello all
Doin tune up on 98' Blazer.#3 spark plug is completely blocked by the steering column. No way to get at itfrom up top or thru the wheel well. anyone have experience with this? thanks in advance.
Paul

I HAVE A 98 BLAZER S10 4.3 I changed mine i took a floor jack lifted the front end then i went in between the wheel and fender well you just need to move the rubber flap and easy to get to

I still have difficulty removing plug #3 even after moving the orange boot. So, I took an open box end wrench and knocked off the ceramic insulator off the tip of the plug. Now, I can use just a regular socket and swivel. Got the plug out in less than a minute. Screw the new plug in and a deep socket. it was easy.

What normally needs to be done when tuning up a 2000 S10-ZR2-4X4 4.3 Liter

98 chevey blazer pulls hard to the right.any idea how to repair it?

i just did it tonight in the snow on the ground u got to doit form under the fender an take wheel off deep socket an wrench its harder to put it back in #3 spark plug on the blazer is terrible have fun

and the orange sleeve does nothin when u move it so dont even bother it can be done i love my truck thats the only issue with it to date