Here's how I did it.
If you're cool, you can do it like this too!
Note: If you break something by following these steps, good jerb. Everyone breaks stuff on their car at some point, just don't think you can blame this on me. Was I anywhere near the car when you broke it? Hell no. And if I was, it was more likely I was making some criticizing comment or mocking you, not actually doing any work.
Note2: This is a garage article. Therefore, I will preface the entire post at once with a "TWSS". There. It's been done. Now grow up.
It took me about 90 mins start to finish, and I haven't done this before.
Tools needed:
3/8 ratchet
5/8 spark plug socket (has some rubber in it to hold the spark plug in)
12mm socket
3" extension
10mm wrench/socket
spark plugs (If I have to tell you that you need spark plugs, please close your hood and don't ever touch tools again)
dielectric grease
anti-seize (the grey stuff, not copper coat)
gap feeler (if plugs were not purchased from dealer. Even if they were, this is a good idea. Dealer plugs have been known to have incorrect gaps as well)
small flathead or pry tool
Not pictured:
Mechanics gloves that you will take off in the first 47 seconds of starting this job and not put back on
tunez/muzak/leprachaun playing a peaceful tune on a flute
torque wrench (good luck with that one)
Start by using the gap feeler on your plugs.
The STI wants a gap of 0.030" as per the 06 FSM.
If you got the plugs from the dealer, they
should be good, but check them anyways.
If you got the plugs from a parts store, the gap will be way too big.
Tap the ground
lightly on something hard (garage floor) and measure.
You will only be adjusting the tiniest fraction of an inch. If you tap too hard, you'll make the gap too small.
This can be fixed by using a set of needle nose pliers and bending the ground away, but this isn't recommended.
We will be working in this general area here:
Starting on the driver's side, remove the battery. (10mm wrench/socket)
If you need instructions on how to do this, please close your hood, hand me the keys to your car, and walk away.
Identify the coils. This is where you'll be working.
(Ignore the fact that one is missing, I forgot to take a pic of them both in place)
Undo the plug on the front coil, then push it out of the way.
Undo the bolt (12mm) holding the coil, and pull the coil out.
Note: the bolt will not completely come out. It is held in the coil by a sleeve.
Place the coil somewhere safe.
SAFE!
If you step on this or kick it around, you'll be sorry.
Now there's a hole in the side of your engine.
And what do we do with holes?
Why, we fill them up of course!
Put the spark plug socket on the 3" extension, and put that in the hole. Use your hands to turn the contraption onto the spark plug. Obviously you can't see anything, you'll just have to do it by feel.
When the socket is on the plug, attach the ratchet and undo the plug. Depending on how long it's been in there, it might take a good tug to get it undone.
Once the seal has been broken, remove the ratchet and unscrew the plug by hand using the extension.
The front cylinders aren't bad, but the rear ones are too close to the frame to allow you to use the ratchet to do the entire job. You'll hit the frame before you get the plug out.
When the plug is loose, pull it out.
This is why you use a spark plug socket. The rubber inside will grab the plug.
