Jibjab

Thanks much for the suggestions! I actually found a magnetic socket with a swivel extension from AutoZone that should do the trick to keep the plug from falling out. In the reviews, people swear by the magnetic feature to keep the plug in the socket so I think I'll give that a shot. Thanks again!

I'm in the process of installing new spark plugs in my FJ and I'm wondering how others solved the problem of how to make sure the spark plug remains in the socket upon removal and installation, and doesn't fall out during the process. Inside the spark plug socket I have is a rubber sleeve and at the end is a recessed rubber hole in the socket where normally the cap on the top of the spark plug pushes into. The tension the recessed hole puts on the top of the spark plug cap keeps the plug in the socket so you can remove or install a plug without it falling out of the socket. Using the OEM NGK plugs they do not come with a screwed on plug at the top of the spark plug that would push into this recessed hole in the inside top of the socket. Rather, these plugs just come with bare screw threads at the top of the spark plug. So if I put one of these new spark plugs in the socket and turn it upside down, the plug just falls out of the socket. Likewise, if there's a spark plug installed in my FJ that doesn't contain the cap, then when I unscrew and remove it, it would just fall out of the socket. All spark plugs I've ever dealt with in the past have had screw caps, not just bare screw threads exposed at the top of the spark plugs. So, how have others worked around this problem? DO I need a special socket? I'm not sure if the spark plug already installed in the FJ has a socket cap or not, so I don't want to try removing it and not be able to get it out of the engine sleeve. If the plugs installed by Yamaha have these caps, are we just supposed to remove the caps from the old plugs and install them on the new ones? Thanks in advance for any suggestions on how others have addressed this issue.