Finally got off my butt and replaced my cap, rotor, wires ...and 5 of my 6 plugs. The 5 plugs that I removed were a mess - two of the plugs had obvious detonation problems (the ground straps looked like they were arced off) and the ceramic around the electrode (with a good bit of the electrode itself) was gone!
I started from the driver's side (cylinder 5-3-1) and passenger-side (cylinder 6-4). I get to cylinder 2 - pass-side front, and I can't get a bite on the plug. I went through all of my sockets in the neighborhood of 5/8" - 16mm but I could not get a grip on it.

So now what?! Any of you run into this?

 

Do you mean you have stripped the wrench flats or the threads, If it is the threads there is a heli-coil or a timesert kit avail at the local parts store. if it is the wrench flats try to fine a deep stripped nut socket like the kind you use for wheel nuts just in a smaller size.

HTH.

 

I haven't gotten as far as the plug threads.
This is what I'm talking about:

 

Get a new socket I have never had a removal problem.

If that doesn’t work this may be the answer or hell sacrifice a sparkplug socket clean it out good put some JB weld on it insert on sparkplug and let set then its welded to the sparkplug and you should get it out.

Caution try this at your own risk

I have never tried this and I have never heard of anyone doing this but it should work if done with caution.

Were you trying to get it out with the engine hot or cold try getting it out Hot with a new socket.

Get a special sparkplug socket a 6 point if you were using a 12 point socket they tend to do that slip off all too often and round things off.


http://twinnine.hubpages.com/hub/How-To-Reduce-Number-of-Rounded-Fasteners

 

Ah yes the wrench flats. Try a new 6 point quality brand socket, and some heat from a propane torch. I love my $nap-on flank drives. Quite pricey. One thing to do is use a small dollup of anti seize on the threads and do not over torq.

 

I love my Princess Auto $20 wheel lock removers for this, reverse thread 1/2 sockets, just snap off the ceramic and start the thread, and those bad boys just rip out spark plugs like they're getting paid for it.

 

JB-weld over nite

 

Ok-so, I worked on it again yesterday and I figured out the actual problem; The spark plug isn't stripped after all. The problem is that the sleeve (attached to the cylinder head) that goes around the spark plug and the wire boot is crushed-in where it goes into the engine. So, the sleeve bunches-up right where the wrench grabs the spark plug.





I tried my damnest to push the sleeve back away from the plug but I couldn't get it to move an inch. My Dakota hates my guts - I swear!!

Anyone of you run into an issue like this?

 

you need to remove your exhaust and get that fixed first damn that is rusty.

that rust is scary yikes am I glad I live in AZ.

 

You're saying go in through the rear-side of the cylinder head?

Yea...the rust looks pretty bad but I know that it could be worse - my neighbor has the same year Dakota but his engine looks a little worse, if you can imagine.