<rant>...who the dumbass dodge engineer was that figured out the layout for these engines and decided to put all that crap around the spark plug location on the 8th cylinder. I liked to shake his hand and beat his ***.</rant>

Maybe I'm doing it the hard (wrong) way or something, but I don't see how there is anything else you can take off or move out of the way to make getting to that spark plug easier. And I can only contort myself so far these days.

 

It's actually pretty genius if you ask me. By making the vehicle difficult to work on, it forces a lot of people too take them too the dealerships which generates more profit. Engineers design them like this on purpose. Just like GM engineers design things to break.

 

You need to get some tools that will do the contorting for you.

 

only way I've been able to change plugs is with the use of one of those universal sockets, then it t'aint so bad...

 

With the universal and the right length extension it is not that bad.

 

Yeah I've got the extensions but not one of those universals. I'll have to pick one up before the next time when I have to work on it.

 

Actually, go to Sears or almost any of the parts places and pick up a 3/8 drive swivel head plug socket and you'll find it's much easier. Put a little silicone grease on the rubber insert in the socket and the socket pulls off much easier once the plug is in.

Be careful, don't over-tighten--these are aluminum heads.

 

It makes the job waaaaaaaay easier.

 

The universal socket is one of the best invetions/tools ever made.

 

Don't forget about the engineer who designed the driver side headlight access. That man is going to hell.