2nd Gen #3 Sparkplug Removal

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ORIGINAL: swartlkk - 2000 AWD Auto

I was able to use a regular deep well socket and a whobble extension.  No special tools unless you consider the whobble extension to be a special tool, but once you have one in your tool box, it'll get used more than your regular extensions.

The full disconnecting isn't necessary in my opinion.  The cover around the rag joint can be a real pain to get off and even more difficult to get back on.  The best way that I have found (if a regular deep socket and whobble extension doesn't work for you) is to cut the orange rubber boot that is on the steering shaft.  Cut it just in the location where you need to gain clearance and only enough to get said clearance.  That extra 1/8" or so of room makes a world of difference.

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ORIGINAL: swartlkk - 2000 AWD Auto

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Steering Shaft Disconnection:
1. Lock the steering column through the access hole in the steering column lower trim cover.
2. Remove the air cleaner assembly.
3. Remove the intermediate shaft shield from the steering gear.
[img]http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/swartlkk/2000%20Bravada/th_steering.gif[/img]
4. Remove the lower intermediate shaft coupling bolt.
[img]http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/swartlkk/2000%20Bravada/th_steering2.gif[/img]
5. Draw alignment marks on the lower intermediate shaft coupling and the steering shaft.
Reassemble reverse of disassembly.

And just an FYI, an s-series is an s-series.  Blazer, Jimmy, & Bravada from '96 on are identical in this regard, hence why I never mentioned a difference.

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ORIGINAL: SillyLittleBlazer - 2004 4wd Auto?

I have a 2004 blazer 4x4 and all I did was jack the truck up, took the front tire off for much easier access, I had a spark plug socket from autozone slid right on the #3 plug no prob, then I just took a regular open ended wrench and able to get it off and the new one on in less than 5 min, to me getting the thing jacked up and the tire off is worse than the plug. Good luck

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ORIGINAL: blazeofglory - 2001 2wd 5spd

I have found the easiest way is as follows.  
1) SAFETY FIRST
2) locate the rubber sleave on your steering shaft (orange in color, at least on mine) slide it toward the fire wall. This may take some effort if it's never been done before.
3) remove the plastic cover from the shaft that covers the steering box to shaft coupler (rag joint) Note: if you are going to unbolt the shaft from steering box you'll probibly have to do this anyway. (I personally have never had to disconnect the shaft) I removed the cover to gain more room to slide the rubber sleave back down toward the gearbox.( only because I coundn't get it to slide far enough toward the firewall to gain enough clearance) if your sleave  will go far enough toward the firewall you can skip this step.
4) turn the steering wheel until the flat portion of the steering shaft is facing up .
5) remove the key from the ignition and put it in your pocket(step 1)
6) set the parking brake, block the wheels, and place transmission in park. (Auto trans )(remember step 1)
7) jack up the truck,and use a jackstand!
8)remove the tire/wheel assembly
9)tuck the dust/mud flap that is attached to the inner fender panel up out of the way.
10) remove the spark plug boot from the spark plug by plulling on the boot only not the wire.(might help to twist on the boot first to break it loose.)
11) take a 5/8 deepwell socket and place it on the spark plug, THEN attach an exention to it ( the longer the better)
12) break the plug loose but don't remove it a