o2 sensor replacement trouble (bank 1 sensor 1)

[jp887]

I'm getting a P0133 so I need to replace the passenger side upstream o2 sensor (bank 1 sensor 1). I replaced the driver side one a few months ago with no problems. The passenger side one however seems really difficult to get at. It is just above the cat and faces upwards towards the underside of the truck. I can get my wrench/o2 tool onto the sensor but I don't have any space to move the wrench. Can't see anything around that looks easy to remove to give me more space. Has anyone who has done this one before got any tips for how to remove it? Thanks.

 

[coopab]

through the wheel well

I'm getting a P0133 so I need to replace the passenger side upstream o2 sensor (bank 1 sensor 1). I replaced the driver side one a few months ago with no problems. The passenger side one however seems really difficult to get at. It is just above the cat and faces upwards towards the underside of the truck. I can get my wrench/o2 tool onto the sensor but I don't have any space to move the wrench. Can't see anything around that looks easy to remove to give me more space. Has anyone who has done this one before got any tips for how to remove it? Thanks.

Have you tried accessing it through the wheel well? Removing the tire and inner splash shield opens things up. I just checked my '99 Ranger 4.0L and put the O2 socket on with the 3/8" ratchet attachment facing out. It looks like a breaker bar would do the trick. Or perhaps a ratchet with an indexing head (angle of the head of the ratchet can be adjusted to create a better leverage situation).