Man the guys at nissan must of been going emo or something cause i tried to install my knock sensor and 2 seconds in i had my hand sliced and diced,still not installed,trying to find another method without cutting my hands.maybe gloves would work. Any ideas besides taking off the manifold.I did just get a mevi kit so i would do the knock sensor will i install that i guess

 

save yourself the trouble and get someone with smaller hands ... personally i used a lot of vaseline..... (ya it sounds wrong ... and i suppose didn't look like the manliest thing to do looking from the side... i had everyone around me on the floor laughing, but it worked.)

 

I've got huge hands, I feel your pain man.. I've done it twice and believe it or not I actually put hand lotion on the back of my hand. First it was because the combination of the cold and the scratching against the plenum was making my skin feel nasty... but then I realized it also allowed my hand to slide in easier. I can't really explain this but rather than going directly through the top, try sneaking your hand in from the side. I unplugged one sensor and it was pretty easy.. maybe 10 minutes.

 

im glad i have smallish hands, i just use my blue nitrile gloves extra thick ones, and it saves my hands from most things. I remember the very first time i did a knock sensor, i was 16 just got the car and i just got back from picking up the KS. let the car cool for 2-3 hours. well it wasnt enough i put my hand in there and burned through the gloves and left a pretty nice burn mark. needless to say i learned my lesson the hard way, the plenum holds heat in for awhile lol.

I havent done it for awhile, but if you remove the snorkle, and move a couple sensors, and unplug a few things, and perhaps the battery, it should give you a much better angle to fit your hand in.

alternatively you can remove the plenum, you will need a new plenum gasket though. and it is a pita to remove.

 

the DIY write up for the KS change, should have had "little sister" on the list of tools needed

 

^^ I tried to get my GF to do it, but after she saw my hands she wouldnt go near the car

 

feel bad for you guys with big hands..im only 5'4 and my hands are kinda small,im 18 so im still young small kid lol,but i got an idea of what you guys go threw,once i actually got my hand in there wasnt bad,just went and bought a new socket set,waiting now for my engine to cool off.which way do i turn the bolt to loosin the sensor

 

Actually I was able to maneuver my big *** hands in there and get the KS changed in 6min (I think I hold the record still.... I think)

 

Any idea how long it will take for manifold to cool after 5k run to canadian tire and home,wanna put in knock sensor.i just put in my clear bumpers while waiting,im running out of parts to install to pass time lol

 

why did you do a 5k run if you knew you had to change the KS?

depending on the temps out side, leave the hood open and give it about 20-45 mins. should be cool enough to operate without burning.

 

at the dealerships they remove the USIM. that's why they charge so much for the hour+ of labor.

 

This is next for me, My hands were already bloody from my wrench slipping of the sway bar link and my knuckles getting raped by the dust shield of the rotor. I will wait for them to heal and attempt the KS next weekend.

Anyone ever replace the Intake Plenum gasket?? I think I need to do that next, might as well take the in take off to get to the KS.

 

 

please tell me you didn't buy a knock sensor from canadian tire? please please please tell me u didn't its like $350 there

 

where in baltimore are you? I'm planning on changing my KS soon too.

 

Go get these tools:
12mm swivel-end socket (not a swivel adapter and 12mm socket)
1/4" drive 12" extension
1/4" drive wrench

Now use that to loosen the bolt without reaching in at all. If you can't budge it, take out the wrench, turn it 1/8 turn, and try again.

Dave

 

No i got a new ks of another org member for 85 bucks,i went to buy sockets and **** with the adjustable socket tune kit.i can almost get it in there but the end of the socket wrench or whatever hits the manifold when im trying to get the socket on the knock sensor bolt. becuase my hands and arms are small i can get my arm right in there(still scraps and cuts me a little) but i can get my fingers to loosen the bolt its too ****in tight

 

If you have the tools I listed it should work. The extension puts the wrench just outside of the manifold. You twist until you think the extension will snap, and then pop the bolt breaks loose. I really doubt the tools you have (whatever they are, I don't know what you're referring to) will work.

Dave

 

Use proper extensions and sockets and you will never cut your hands! 15min job

 

Getting the bolt unscrewed is not the part that cuts up hands. Its reaching in to retrieve bolt/sensor, and reaching back in to place sensor down and put in bolt. I had to use an extension with tape on the end, and a magnet to accomplish that.. My hand and wrist can't even touch touch the sensor when its installed

 

Alright thanks guys,i think my buddy has them,ill also return the ones i have to canadian tire and get my money back for the ones i need

 

O and i have no problem with my hand and arm getting in...i can reach passed the sensor,im a small guy so its not that bad,i just need the tools to get it undone cause its being a little SLl_lT to try and get the bolt loose

 

I have pretty delicate hands for a guy (feel wrong saying so but nyuh) and my little hands fit in all those crevices

 

basically do u take anything apart to get to the KS (like intake) or all u do is unscrew one bolt and unplug the connector ?

 

I have huge hands and I changed mine with very little scraping and didn't have any real cuts

 

I had put off installing the knock sensor because I had heard it was a real mission.. well with the below its really quite simple and pain free

I used the extension method.. had the knock sensor out in about 20mins and not a single cut

I used this setup of extensions:
1/2 socketdrive + 1/2to3/8 + 10"3/8 extension + 3/8to1/4 + 1/4 swivel + 1/4 12mm



I found the grabber tool the easier way to position the bolt and knocksensor apon replacement. You will still need a magent pickup tool incase you drop th e bolt in an awkward spot like I did in a bit of a valley.