just changed my KS, took a while initially, because i wasnt using the flex 12mm, rather tried to be stupid and used a universal joint and a 12 mm socket, that doesnt work... anyway went to sears bought a flex 12mm socket and opened that badboy in two attempts, i think when i purchased my car 8 months ago, the KS was already bad, because i dont recall being able to spin my tires from a standstill, so much more power, i thought i appreciated my car before, now its amazing.

i realized you couldnt wear gloves when installing the sensor without taking the manifold off, but i put duct tape (its pretty resistant to tearing and very elastic) on the back of my hand and on my fingers so that the jagged metal would not eat up my hands, anyhow it worked and i dindt get any cuts on my hand

anything, thanks to everyone who posted instructins adn tips on what to do and what not to do.

 

did you get a CEL or did you just pull the codes to find out if your KS was bad? i think mine might be bad, but i dont have a CEL.

 

from what i read, you dont get a CEL with a bad knock sensor, my gas mileage was killing me all of a sudden, so i just checked for a code, got 03 04, which is the KS, got it from this person on ebay for 90$, i think username is sonya_clark, they got it to me within 4 days, i had nothign to compare my car to so i had to check for a code cuz of the gas mileage, but it definately pulls much harder than when i bought the car. you can check the FAQ ECU code section for instructions to pull the code.

 

Glad everything worked out for you. I have had mine since monday but the weather has been too cold to try it. I'm going to get that 12mm flex extenstion you mention. My milage sucks *****

 

not an extension, just the socket, http://www.skippynet.com/maxima/knocksensor.htm

i was stupid and tried to use a universal flex joint and attached a 12 mm, that was attached to like a 20 inch extension bar ,but the angle is wrong so i couldnt open it, just do what the link tells you shouldnt take more than a half hour if you have the correct tools

 

very smart !

 

http://www.motorvate.ca/mvp.php/507

don't forget to tighten the 12mm bolt to 15-20lbs with a torque wrench. nothing major but just wanna point out...