Changing Front Oxygen Sensors

L

lonestar1

Member

Jul 22, 2006

49

0

7

Houston, Texas

Nov 25, 2013

#1

• Nov 25, 2013

• #1

Gentlemen, have a 2002 GT. With 170,000 miles I thought I would change the front O2 sensors. Not realizing that I was looking at the rear sensors, I finally found the front sensors. I can barely see them let alone try to replace them. How is this normally done? From the top or bottom? I could barely get a finger on the sensor let alone wrench it out. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Lonestar1

 

mransr

Founding Member

Nov 3, 2000

1,188

36

98

Riverside, SoCal

Nov 25, 2013

#2

• Nov 25, 2013

• #2

It has been a few years, and I don't remember any unusual issues. I just used an O2 sensor wrench, a regular wrench or socket won't work.

 

flstang65

10 Year Member

Dec 6, 2007

1,484

135

94

SE Georgia

Nov 25, 2013

#3

• Nov 25, 2013

• #3

O2 sensor socket or just drop the X/H pipe.

 

Mattstang04

15 Year Member

Sep 15, 2006

1,152

144

104

St. Louis, MO

Nov 26, 2013

#4

• Nov 26, 2013

• #4

I have always dropped the mid pipe. I use an open end wrench or O2 sensor socket once its on the ground.

I have bulky hands so getting to the wire connectors has always been a difficulty. I can only get a thumb and finger tip up to the connector to press the release tab and try to my best to pull it down while pressing the tab. I get at it from underneath the car and there usually is some pain associated with doing it. Be persistent and patient.

 

bhuff30

Founding Member

Dec 11, 2001

6,037

35

129

Olathe KS

Nov 26, 2013

#5

• Nov 26, 2013

• #5

Maybe my 97 is different, but I don't recall dropping the midpipe to install new O2s. I think I used a simple open/box wrench, something like 7/8" or 15/16".

 

Mattstang04

15 Year Member

Sep 15, 2006

1,152

144

104

St. Louis, MO

Nov 27, 2013

#6

• Nov 27, 2013

• #6

You probably don't have to drop the mid pipe but I got fat hands and since my mid pipe is offroad and lightweight, its fairly easy drop it down. It gives me the clearance to get my fat paw up to the electrical connector. An open end wrench should work to get the sensor end out of the mid pipe whether its dropped or installed.