Spark Plugs and Brake pads

[jjanari]

they can certainly be replaced as part of preventative maintenance, though my rationale was that if it's not leaking, best not to mess with removing the tubes or spending $$$ right now since the time will come to part w/your wallet on some other repair. compared to my wrx, it was a lot easier changing the plugs on the box, so it's not difficult to go back in again if you notice subsequent leaks. However, the tubes were a b$tch to remove. some folks have mentioned being able to pull them out by hand, mine seemed fused in. I saw a trick on pedro's garage about using the boat transom plug (which basically is a plug that you can cause to expand inside the plug tube by turning an attached t-fitting), but that didn't even work. I ended up making my own tool based upon a jury-rigged tool my local p-car dealership used and that finally did the trick. once they're out, it's easy to swap out the seals and re-install.

[986FortyEight]

On Tubes / plugs:
I changed mine recently after noticing some oil inside the tube. I was doing the 120,000 miles service and had to go back later to change the tubes and o-rings.
I got the set from sunset for the previously mentionned $40. Looking back I would just order the o-rings. the tubes were in great condition but the rings were no longer round.
Because of the wear on the o-rings and the oil sipage the tubes came right off using Pedro's recommended transom plug ($2 at bass-pro).
I would recommend you order the rings only and replace if there are any signs of oil on the plugs. Otherwise, leave it alone. It is not an exciting DIY and the space you work in is somewhat small and could be frustrating if you have to fight the tubes out of their place.

On Pads:
hard for me to tell since I just changed mine for Pagid yellow and have not done enough driving/braking to jusdge the amount of dust. Braking power sure is good.
Changing the pads was so much easier than I thought (Pagid yellow do not have a hole for the sensor).
my 2 cents.

Michael

[jjanari]

ditto on the tubes. mine seemed fine at 90k, though I had already bought new ones. the oring were obviously shot.

[S3adrag0n]

I've just done my, 2000 Boxster with 63K, plugs and I regretfully went with NGK 2 prongs. I could notice that second and third gear doesn't push me against my seat like it use to. Although, I noticed that I got around 120 miles with a quarter of a tank.

As far as gapping goes, I've not seen anything about gaps and I would say it'll be a bit hard to move them prongs especially the 4 prong plugs. I didn't order enough rings so I'm going to order some more and do them (can't believe an O-ring is 4 bucks each).

[Lil bastard]

There is no need to change the tubes unless one of them is cracked. They are totally inert in their function... just swap the 'o' rings...and ONLY if they're needed.

I'm of the school that when it comes to gaskets and seals, if they're not leaking, leave them alone.

Some want to change them as a matter of convenience 'since I'm already in there'.

But the odds of pinching an 'o' ring and not getting a proper seal on one of the 12 'o' rings is much higher while lying on your back, working at arm's length in poor light as compared to when Hans (or Mohammad or Mika) installed them on a bench in good light during the engine assembly.

[Banana S]

I just changed my spark plugs and O-rings this past weekend. The first few tubes were difficult to get out, but the last three were a breeze. I used a very specialized, intricate, expensive tool to remove the tubes...


















...a piece of coathanger with one end bent back 1/4" to grab the edge of the tube, and the other end of the coathanger bent into a "handle" with a rag wrapped around it for a better grip. Worked like a charm!

[urban_legend]

I need plugs as well - tempted to order the Bosch are the OEM Berus really worth 2-3x the price?