What size socket to change spark plug?

[SoonerYFZ]

A buddy of mine has a 400ex and he wanted to change the sparkplug. He took the sparkplug that autozone said he needed to Lowes and fitted it to a 18mm spark plug specialty socket. That socket is too big around to fit in that hole that you have to get into to get the spark plug out.

Any help would be appreciated.

[S.M.C. Racing]

You need to find the plug wrench that came in your tool kit or one like it. Try your local bike shop you can find a thin wall 18mm.

[cds]

I found that a Sears Craftsman 18mm deep socket and a Craftsman 18mm spark plug socket is "too fat" for my ex.

I bought a "Companion" <- Sears "cheap" brand 18mm deep (not spark plug style) socket because it was slightly thinner than the Craftsman sockets. It barely fits, but it works.

You could also cut down the outside diameter of a socket with a metal lathe.

[400hondaex]

or you can just grind down the sides and you have a new plug socket

[crazyelece]

It sucks but the best tool and usually the only tool that works is the stock plug wrench that comes with them. I found that if you search on ebay for awhile you can pick one up for about 5-10 bucks shipped.