3/8 inch drive socket that works for K-bike spark plugs

[Motorhobo]

I use Harbor Freight 1/4 and 3/8 drive torque wrenches so I take the whole  'torque spec' issue with a huge grain of salt. Before I purchased those aforementioned marvels of tool engineering four years ago, all I had was my "Just 'Nuff" wrench set.

And in those 10 years I only had to drill and helicoil once! (Oil pan mounting bolt...)

[Motorhobo]

BTW while we're on the subject, I'm ordering some new cables from tills.de and there are different ones for SAE and M4 connectors. I'm assuming we're in SAE land here which is probably why the 11/16 socket works. Has anyone encountered an M4 spark plug? That's a new one on me.

[Laitch]

Your nihilistic view of the situation . . .

I can't take credit for originating that view. I got it from reading your posts.  :hehehe

[stokester]

I use Harbor Freight 1/4 and 3/8 drive torque wrenches so I take the whole  'torque spec' issue with a huge grain of salt. Before I purchased those aforementioned marvels of tool engineering four years ago, all I had was my "Just 'Nuff" wrench set.

And in those 10 years I only had to drill and helicoil once! (Oil pan mounting bolt...)

Count me among those who use a torque wrench whenever possible.  During my time as a Chevy mechanic I was in the minority as most used impact drivers to get it tight enough.  With the increased use of torque-to-yield (TTY) fasteners and steel into aluminum I found it reassuring to know the faster was properly tightened.

I find a high quality dial-type in inch pounds most useful on my Beemers.

[Andy FitzGibbon]

I can't take credit for originating that view. I got it from reading your posts.  :hehehe

No, you didn't. I made no mention of novices, underdeveloped neural pathways, any nefarious activity on the part of bike manufacturers, faulty tools, or anyone being killed by a stripped oil drain plug. You are responsible for your own words.

[Andy FitzGibbon]

Count me among those who use a torque wrench whenever possible.  During my time as a Chevy mechanic I was in the minority as most used impact drivers to get it tight enough.  With the increased use of torque-to-yield (TTY) fasteners and steel into aluminum I found it reassuring to know the faster was properly tightened.

I find a high quality dial-type in inch pounds most useful on my Beemers.

To be clear, I am a big fan of torque wrenches, own half a dozen, and use them regularly. But, for certain jobs, I prefer to trust feel. I'm not really sure why that's ruffled a few feathers.

[Chaos]

 I'm not really sure why that's ruffled a few feathers.

   It's a BMW forum. :loco: :Norton: :hehehe

[mw074]

  I have a number of torque wrenches and use them on a regular basis. However, there is no substitute for practical experience.

[Andy FitzGibbon]

BTW while we're on the subject, I'm ordering some new cables from tills.de and there are different ones for SAE and M4 connectors. I'm assuming we're in SAE land here which is probably why the 11/16 socket works. Has anyone encountered an M4 spark plug? That's a new one on me.

The M4 is the thread on the plug's top terminal. The "SAE" refers to the "click adapter" (for lack of a better term) that threads onto those 4mm threads and makes the top of the plug look like the US-style plug that most of us are used to. Each style is illustrated on the tills website along with its appropriate wires.

Most M4 plugs, in my experience, include the adapters.

Spark plug sizing is odd in general... the threads are metric, but the wrench hex is often fractional SAE. This is supposedly a relic of the early days of the auto industry, when Europe had a significant lead over US automobile manufacturing. Champion and AC- both major US plug manufacturers- were both started by Frenchman Albert Champion.

[Motorhobo]

No, you didn't. I made no mention of novices, underdeveloped neural pathways, any nefarious activity on the part of bike manufacturers, faulty tools, or anyone being killed by a stripped oil drain plug. You are responsible for your own words.

Someone needs to come up with a "Laitch -- take him with a grain of salt" emoji.

[Chaos]

Someone needs to come up with a "Laitch -- take him with a grain of salt" emoji.

.

I think of him more like this.....

[Laitch]

The M4 is the thread on the plug's top terminal. The "SAE" refers to the "click adapter" (for lack of a better term) . . .

Terminal nut and bullet terminal nut are better terms. It's likely though, bulbous spark plug terminal grippy thing, screw-on-the-spark plug wire-holding gizmo and click-adapter etc. will grow into wider regional usage. I think I've got click adapters on some of my tools but those are technically labeled as sears.

[Andy FitzGibbon]

Terminal nut and bullet terminal nut are better terms. It's likely though, bulbous spark plug terminal grippy thing, screw-on-the-spark plug wire-holding gizmo and click-adapter etc. will grow into wider regional usage. I think I've got click adapters on some of my tools but those are technically labeled as sears.

Tills.de calls them "SAE nuts NGK Nupsies". A Google search for "nupsies", though interesting in its own way, doesn't really provide much enlightenment.

"Spark plug terminal nut", while somewhat mundane, seems to have a fairly wide reception.

[Laitch]

"Spark plug terminal nut", while somewhat mundane, seems to have a fairly wide reception.

Is it mundane because it is concise or mundane because it isn't cheery enough?

[Andy FitzGibbon]

Is it mundane because it is concise or mundane because it isn't cheery enough?

When compared to "nupsies", I'd think the answer would be obvious.

[Laitch]

When compared to "nupsies", I'd think the answer would be obvious.

Of course you would. :giggles 

[Motorhobo]

Tills.de calls them "SAE nuts NGK Nupsies". A Google search for "nupsies", though interesting in its own way, doesn't really provide much enlightenment.

"Spark plug terminal nut", while somewhat mundane, seems to have a fairly wide reception.

Definition of Nupsi (I kid you not):

A 'Nupsi' (Austrian: 'Hupferl') is a small, (sometimes round), indefinable something. The nupsi sometimes protrudes from another, somewhat larger object.

The word 'Nupsi' is most often used in the vernacular when the speaker can't remember the proper word for the protrusion in question off the top of her/his head. This term usually relates to a funny, interesting, quirky, unusual or cute small something. The usage of the word is increasing. In some areas of Germany the Nupsi is also spelled with a 'b' as in 'Nubsi. In Berlin, one may refer to a 'Nu-hu-psi' which is often accompanied by a circular motion of the right index finger for emphasis.

There follows a long-winded etymology of the term, including variants in a number of local dialects.

Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Humorarchiv/Sprache#Nupsi

So, probably the most accurate translation in this context might be 'nub', since Nupsi is itself a non-technical term.

But then again, WGAF?

[frodef]

Not that I have a problem with that but...should be 17mm, no? Haven't been able to find a thin 17mm socket that I can use with a torque wrench. Any help?

I used a standard (not particularly thin-walled I believe) 18mm deep socket recently. 17mm is too small I'm pretty sure.