Spark Plug Wire Hooks preventing boots from seating correctly?

[RangerRich96]

Has anyone encountered issues with these hooks for the driver's side wires on the 2.3? I bought a new set of Motorcraft wires which came with the hooks installed on 3 of them, however the boots don't seem to snap onto the plug with the hooks installed, I've tried prying down carefully on the hooks to make sure they're seated but it seems I can just pull them right off with little resistance. I ended up removing the hooks on 2, left only #4 but may take that one off as well. Are these worth the trouble?

 

[Mark_88]

Welcome to TRS~!

I've never seen hooks on plug wires before that weren't removable so if you can pull them off I'd do it too if they prevent proper seating.

What was the name of the brand that they came on?

Sounds like some of the stuff I've received with other products that made absolutely no sense as to why they were included. I had a bin specifically for parts that had that WTF designation.

I eventually found uses in other applications for some but still have a few of them to remind me that mysteries may be waiting in my purchases...

 

[RangerRich96]

These are brand new Motorcraft replacement wires. They came with the hooks already installed on 3 of the wires. It seems when you shop for replacement wires, alot of the premium sets include these hooks. I've also read other posts that these hooks came on the factory installed plug wires? This truck has 188k miles on it and the plug wires I removed weren't original, but they didn't have these hooks either. Figured I'd give the new ones with the hooks a shot but they seem more cumbersome than anything. I'm going to try and pull off that PITA #4 wire on the driver side and re-install w/o the stupid hook so I can make sure it seats properly. I already installed brand new Motorcraft platinum plugs and new coil packs. I don't see the need to have to pull these plugs out for a while and I always use dielectric grease on the boots.

 

[Mark_88]

I've purchased a few new sets over the years but they were for an 88 so only 4 plugs and no hooks. When I bought the 96 it had a 2.5 implant from a 98 and no hooks in sight. I tried searching on the wire sets but they didn't show the hooks either, but some showed those wire separator clips that keep the wires together and looks neater.

The driver side plugs are not that critical for performance but they could affect the emission testing if they are not firing when they should.

Not a big deal but always better to have them functioning the way they should.

 

[RangerRich96]

If you look up replacement plugs for the 2.3/2.5 on RA you'll see the hooks w/ some of their sets, see exact set I purchased below. There are some vids on youtube as well showing the wire replacement and placement of the hooks, on cylinders #1, 3 & 4 on the driver's side. Seems they make removal easier, that's about it.

 

[Mark_88]

Ah, now I understand...

Those look like they are for actually pulling the wires or pushing them over the ends (I think). I didn't get to change the plugs before I sold the truck but they are hard to get at if you have big fat hands like I do.

As long as you can get at the wires you probably don't need them...and I've heard of some people removing the upper intake to get at them but it's way more work.

You might want to invest in a swivel for your ratchet if you don't already have one...apparently they make plug install/removal much easier...

 

[RangerRich96]

I think I fixed this little snag. I was looking at the new MC wires and the old ones I pulled off, I noticed that the plug ends that are made for the boots, the wire connection was pretty deep in there (where the end of the plug would 'snap' into place). I simply pushed the wires further down into the plug boot and presto I felt them snap onto the plugs w/ the hooks installed. For some reason, the new wires were pulled through the boot a little too much, with the added hooks on there it prevented the wires from seating all the way onto the plug.

 

[Mark_88]

That's actually a common issue with some wires. The metal clip that slips over and sits on the end of the plug can be pulled up into the boot and not make contact. I had that on one set of wires and it actually started up but had a slight miss.

Took me a few head scratches and WTFs to figure it out...lol