What Places Are Notoriously Hard to Reach on Your Car?
We all have to dig into our vehicles to repair, replace or simply retrieve something at some point. Be it addressing a bad exhaust manifold gasket, failed starter, or your cell phone that slid between the seat and the console, some places are notoriously hard to reach. Sometimes it feels like this was created by design, especially when you need to get something done quickly.
This week’s question should generate many unique stories and relatable tales of painfully difficult things to reach in your vehicle. There are just some places that are so much harder than others, especially on some vehicles. For me, it’s the ritual of doing an oil change on my Lincoln Mark VIII, because I truly hate the filter location.
See the Mobil 1 oil filter nestled deep within the engine cradle, further obscured by the anti-roll bar underneath? Granted, I’ve made this job harder for myself, as said bar is a much larger piece from Addco. While access to spin the oil filter off from the block is straightforward, the oil pours down the engine cradle (all around the pictured metal/rubber hose) and collects at the divot in the cradle’s sheetmetal. It’s a mess, especially since there’s another divot which requires careful placement of your oil pan to ensure it catches used oil from both locations.
It’s a hot mess (literally), but I haven’t even discussed the real chore: getting the oil filter between the engine and that Addco bar. The trick is to stick your pointer finger in the oil filter, clamp down with said finger, and pull down hard so it slides past the bar.
I’ve owned this car for over two decades and can change the oil without frustration, but this filter is still “notoriously hard” to reach. So now I shall kick the question back to you:
What places are notoriously hard to reach on your car?
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It’s a trick question. I’m almost 70, and EVERYTHING on my autos is hard to reach! 😀
Same “reverse bag” trick works for a lot of the Honda’s Ridgeline, Pilot, Odyssey, etc. with the 3.5L V6
There’s a “diverter” (small bent piece of aluminum with a magnet to hold to the frame of the vehicle) for that. It keeps all the oil off the frame.
Oil filter on my ’97 Mustang V8 is similar to Sajeev’s ordeal, but thankfully the splash aprons are flexible enough to wrestle it out. A couple small sheets of tin foil prevent the filter’s oil from getting everywhere.
Worst thing I’ve had was right-side spark plugs in an Indy-headed 512″ Mopar RB that was stuffed into a Duster using TTi headers…though some of the stuff under my GMC Dually’s hood has been intriguing…
My 2002 Camaro SS LS1 engine- the right (passenger side) rear spark plug. You arm needs another wrist or two to access it. The LS1 is considerably larger than the previous LT1.
My 1994 Corvette- the HVAC vacuum hose distribution device under the dashboard- I have yet to tackle this.
At my advanced age I find anything under the dash that needs attention is reluctantly taken care of. Major jobs require removing the seat/seats to give the body a bit of relief.
How about refilling the power steering fluid on a 1992 BMW 325is, the container is under the fuel injection system and air cleaner circuit and behind the alternator. If you have a leak and need to add fluid with the engine hot, be prepared, because there are also lots of hoses and cable harnesses in the way. Even having a good funnel with a flexible goose neck that job is a challenge!!
The oil filter on my 90 NA Miata, changing tail light bulbs and headlights on my 02 Mustang, not hard after you disassemble everything just to get to it but the most frustrating is cleaning the rear glass on my 2014 Mustang . I can’t get into the right angle/position to reach the bottom of the window. Best thing I’ve done is use a floor swifter with microfiber cloth attached and stand outside the car but still not perfect.
In my 2021 Challenger Scat Pack Shaker, I have some difficulty reaching Warp Factor 5.
Try a good wax job; it always helps me milk that extra top speed out!
The oil filter on my MX5 Miata.
The CDM radio box on a 1991 Corvette not only is hard to reach between a support and A/C duct but the wiring harness barely reaches.
The exhaust manifold bolts and even worse if you put headers on a 67 or 68 big block Mustang 390 or 428. That’s the worst job.
WATER pump on a 1968 Cadillac. If you’ve been there you know of what I speak.
Changing header gaskets on a Hemi ‘Cuda with power brakes. You have to remove the brake master/booster,
then the left valve cover just to gain access. From there it is done both from above and below. It helps if your
fingers fold backwards. The fuel pump on a C2 big block Corvette is no treat either.
I forgot to add spark plugs on a ’67 GT500 Shelby or any big block mustang.
The hardest place to reach on my 1973 Nova 350 was one of the heater hoses. One had to either remove the inner fender (or at least a liner, I don’t recall), or cut a hole in the inner fender. The factory put a special textured hose there that lasted well over 10 years (a long time for hoses in those days), before it had to be replaced; I guess they realized how hard it would be!
Try changing a starter on an 89 Cadillac Allante. I also remember changing the starter on a 1964 Jaguar E-Type… then I learned to cut an access door in the transmission tunnel and no problem. One last one, changing fuses on the 1972 Citroën SM