Good day everyone. I managed to strip a spark plug socket on my caravan. I bought to attempt to fix it, but the inserts it comes with are not long enough. Does anyone know where I can get an insert that will work? It looks like the threads on the spark plug measure about 20mm. Help please! Thanks!

 

This is what the pros use

http://www.timesert.com/html/sparkplug.html

 

when puting in the spark plugs normally use a flexable piece of hose on the tip and that u can use to guide the sparkplug by hand first. do no use the tightening wrench. this can apply to bolts as well. hand insert first not with any tools. if you can not manage to fix the threads then the above route is going to be needed.

 

Can you explain this hose method a bit more? Thanks!

 

Locate and try using a thread chaser before taking the leap with a helicoil. I've fixed dozens that way.

 

The hose method: You find a piece of vacuum hose that fits tightly over the metal tip at the top of the plug. You guide the plug into the spark plug hole. Then you turn the plug by twisting the hose. The flexible hose allows the plug to move around while it tries to find the first thread. If it catches the threads, you can spin the plug in several turns before removing the hose. If it catches the wrong thread, the hose just twists on the top of the plug. That way you won't damage the plug if its cross threaded.

If you use a spark plug socket with an extension, the plug can't move and it's hard to "feel" if it's properly engaged in the threads. So you keep turning, thinking you're properly engaged inthe threads. Before you know it, you've cross threaded.