2008 535xi - I have been usable to find a socket that fits in the limited space surrounding the spark plug. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm at my wits end and have tried every 14mm or 9/16 in 12 point socket I can find but each one is just too thick walled it seems. Please help if possible.

 

Did you use a spark plug socket? They have a rubber piece in there to help you pull it out.

 

Yes. The issue isn't getting the plug out of the hole but rather getting a thin enough socket to fit inside the hole and around the plug's 12 point nut (Bosch).

 

Any thin wall, deep (long) socket should do the job however, they probably won't have the rubber insert to hold the plug. I stuffed some masking tape into mine and it was enough to hold my plug while removing. I'm not sure of the size you require but for the V8 my socket size is 16mm (or 5/8'). hope this helps.

 

So a true thin-walled deep socket is the key to this issue? My Craftsmen deep sockets just won't slide between the plug and head wall in order to grab the plug nut. I've tried both 1/2 inch and 3/8 inch drive sockets, thinking the latter may be thinner walled. But I assume you're recommending I now go out and purchase a specialty thin wall socket for the purpose? Has anyone else had this issue with their 535?

 

Coincidentally I also used my Craftsman brand 3/8 drive socket set. It doesn't specifically say "thin wall" just "6 point deep socket" set, but I can definitely tell they are thin walled. The corners of the 6 point come really close to the edge/outer wall.

 

The 535xi twin-turbo was first available in 2008, which is the year I have. It appears they introduced the thinner Bosch or NGK plugs with the 9/16 inch 12 point nuts with this year. From previous posts I gather anything prior to 2008 used thicker plugs having 5/8 inch nuts. They must have redesigned the head thus making the plug holes much small in diameter because everyone else seems to fine with using a standard deep 5/8 socket.

Oh well, I guess I'm off to search for a thin walled socket somewhere online or locally then. Thanks for the help.

 

Get the thin wall socket and then use a piece of vacuum tube (Autozone just gave me a piece) to slip over the plug end once loose so you can back it out without dropping the plug. Use it to start the new plug and hand tighten, then torque it to spec with the socket.

 

Try this


http://www.burgertuning.com/N54_BMW_...t_adapter.html


IT Should do the Job

 

Many thanks SkySurfer!!! This looks to be exactly what I've been looking for. Placing an order as we speak.