 Maxim-X Sparkplug Socket Alternatives |
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If you've lost or damaged the original sparkplug socket or just want something different, you'll soon find that replacing it is especially difficult. Similar style sockets are available in Imperial sizes but they don't seem to exist in metric sizes. And, if you believe you can run to the store to simply buy a deep hex socket to replace the original, the sad truth is that most hex sockets (6-point or 12-point) are simply too wide to fit the less than one inch (<1") diameter sparkplug recess in the Maxim-X head... and that's why other alternatives are often necessary. Even if you have the original tool, you may still find yourself looking for alternatives because it wears and is so awkward to use. For the '85 models, you have no choice but to insert a leverage bar into a hole drilled in the head of the socket to turn it and often there isn't a convenient angle from which to insert the leverage bar. For the '86 models, the hex head of the socket often gets rounded to a degree that a wrench or socket simply slips around the hex head. In either case, it's difficult or even impossible to apply a measured torque to the spark plugs or to apply appreciable force to unseat a stuck plug. The only way to resolve these problems is to find a way to connect a ratchet or torque wrench... and that's not as easy as it sounds. One inventive Maxim-X owner took it upon himself to have an adapter welded to the end of the original socket but not before several welders refused to take on the job. The end result (picture below) wasn't pretty but it did allow the use of a ratchet in combination with the original, albeit adapted, socket.
To get more details on the above adaptation of the original Maxim-X plug socket, visit the creator's site at the first link below or his post on the XJ Bikes forum at the second link below: http://xjbikes.com/coppermine/displayimage/album=129/pos=0.html I wasn't willing to chance welding what was left of my original socket. Although the hex head was badly rounded (which you can just barely make out in the picture below), I knew it might still be possible to reshape the hex head for a smaller wrench/socket or maybe even drill through it to allow the use of a leverage bar as in the '85 model socket. Both were possible so I kept the original socket but still wanted something better. So I kept my eyes open for a deep socket that might work and my patience eventually paid off. During a routine visit to my local NAPA dealer, by chance I noticed a fresh assortment of thin-walled sockets which they had apparently just received from a new supplier. The picture below shows the relative sizes of the original socket and the replacement socket with a three inch (3") extension:
Admittedly, I would have preferred that the overall length of the socket and extension were about a half inch (½") longer but with the right pivot-head ratchet, even the slightly shorter combination clears the Maxim-X cam covers as shown in the picture at the left below. To get just a little extra clearance, it's always possible to use an additional one inch (1") extension in combination with what is shown above.
What makes this particular replacement socket unique can be seen in the image to the right, above. The socket has an exceptionally thin wall and an outside diameter of only 0.935" which is approximately one sixteenth of an inch (1/16") smaller than the almost one inch (1") sparkplug recess in the Maxim-X head. The socket fits easily and doesn't bind in the plug recess at all which also means it doesn't pickup a lot of heat from the head when working on a hot engine. Obviously the plugs will ultimately be torqued using a torque wrench but to initially thread & remove them, I've found that the following combination represents the ultimate spark plug tool for use on the Maxim-X:
The palm ratchet can be found in Canada at any (Princess Auto) or, if you're south of the border, the palm ratchet is available at any (HarborFreight). I imagine they're also available elsewhere but those two places have the best prices I currently know of. Tragically, I've only been able to find this unique socket in one place - NAPA carries the socket as part of their UltraPro line of tools. I personally purchased the socket from NAPA up here in the Great White North and to verify that the socket exists at NAPA in the U.S.A., a helpful XJer south of the border also purchased one. Although the socket is clearly available from NAPA across North America, it was discovered that the U.S. part number is slightly different (thank's Steve). I've provided what few details I have to try to describe this particular socket for others who are interested in sourcing it. The following is all the relevant information that was provided on two NAPA invoices (Line1-CAD, Line2-USA):
 Addendum (Mar 29, 2008): After posting this page a fellow XJer contacted me with information about where to buy something similar to the original socket (thanks Mark). Apparently, MotionPro sells a socket similar to the original style but of considerably better quality. It's not cheap but it will definitely do the job.
The socket has a 3/8" drive for a ratchet or torque wrench and a 13/16" hex head for a wrench as well.
Here's what you need to know to source that particular socket:
The socket is almost 4½" long but more importantly, it only has a diameter of 0.932" which provides excellent clearance in the spark plug bore of the Maxim-X. You'll find those dimensions and more physical details shown in a set of pictures at this link: Addendum (June 19, 2008): After posting this page a fellow XJer contacted me with information about another thin-walled socket that works just as well as the one from NAPA (thanks Brian). Apparently, Sears sells a Craftsman socket in their "Easy-To-Read" line which will do the trick. Here's what you need to know to source that particular socket:
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