I got a P1131 code the other day.
Bought 2 new upstream sensors, but I cant get enough room to fit a 7/8" wrench in there (not to loosen the sensor anyway).

Rented the removal tools, same story. The Tranny dipstick tube is less than an inch behind the freakin sensor, and the tranny is blocking the front. How the heck do I get that sumbit*h out?

I searched, and nobody else seemed to have these clearance issues I am having...

Any tips? Id like to do it myself before I take it to some shop (or the dealer).
Thanks...

 

There are two ways I have done it. The easiest way is to lay down right next to the tire and get it from under the truck. This is the way I did it. OR do it same way but jack the truck up and take the tires off( jack stands)

 

I finally got the friggen thing out.

I had no trouble (basically) with the driver's side sensor...I needed the tools from autozone because the front driveshaft was in the way of the combo wrench.

The passenger side was a PAIN IN THE ****. I ended up loosening one of the bolts for the heat shield around the pre-cat so I could squeeze my hand in there, then loosening up the dipstick tube for the tranny (otherwise I would have never gotten the cable undone if I even managed to get the sensor out). The connector was almost as much of a pain as the sensor itself...

I wonder if the fact that I have 4x4 with the 4R100 tranny made it so difficult? I wonder if the 4R70 gets in the way as much?

 

I just order two O2 sensors that I will be installing in the upstream. As soon as I get them and installed I will let you know on the outcome. I can practice a little bit with my tools tomorrow to see if I need to get other tools.

 

i did it not too long ago. if i remember right i had to go out and buy a 22mm stuby (short) combination wrench i basicall just lifted the truck with a jack (not off the ground but enough for me to move around under there) and spray the hell out of them with liquid wrench. then just twist away. it is a biotch but it was my first time doing it. ppl sed to take the fender walls off but i didnt. and it worked fine (as fine as it can get what were they thinking putting them in a he// place like that) word of warning unhook them before taking them out. and when installing new ones wrap the cord around the sensor and put a rubber band on it. the passanger side connecter would always get hung up on stuff. to connect and discconect them i just laid in my engine bay (cold engine DUH) and put one hand down there by the exhaust mani and the other one around over the tb and just when by feel. it took 30 min to just hook the new ones up but hey it worked ! im sure other ppl will comment also and may have better ways but thats how i did it and it was about hour and a half job for me. but trust me BUY A SHORT 22MM WRENCH !!!!!!!1

 

Mine werent hard to get out in the sense that they required alot of force to remove. They were actually fairly easy to get out once I managed to get the wrench up there. Once I got them a slight turn loose and could even use my fingers to take them off. The hardest part was just getting the tools in the tight spaces. Seriously, I think these engineers were on crack...the O2 sensors, spark plugs/COPs, etc etc etc, alot of this stuff is damn near impossible to get to without something else being in the way. I mean, could they not place the O2 sensors on the other side of the manifold?

Frustrating...

 

Johngs,

It's a conspiracy I tell you! Ford must make millions on it's '2001 5.4 SCAB 4WD 22.73mm passenger side O2 sensor removal too only" $75.00ea. The drivers side will cost $25, but that sensor will never go bad.

 

Hehe, I bet you are right!!!

*listening for the black helicopters overhead*

 

Now that we are here talking about all the trouble to remove this sensors remind me of one of the good things about the body lift: 3" of extra space to work. My sensors are not here yet but I will keep you posted on my experience.

I am sure Ford won't like this extra space.

 

true

Though Im not sure it will help that much, the tools will still be a pain to get in there on the pass side.

 

Finally the sensors are in. The drivers side electrical connector is a pain in the neck to remove. But the sensor itself is not too hard. I used a shorty sensor removal tool that I purchased at Pep Boys. The passenger side connector was not too hard to remove but the sensor itself was. I also used a crecent wrench from time to time. Mostly at the drivers side. The passenger side is very tight. Installation was relatively easy. I am convinced that the space created by both the suspension and body lifts help me to go through this nightmare.

I just erased the code and I will run the truck for a while to double check for any trouble. I will let you know.

 

Just as an FYI, for next time or those that need to do it in the future. I found it VERY easy to remove both sensors and wiring by removing the front wheels and accessing them through the wheel well.

 

After numerous attempts to design/make a custom tool to ease the removal of the passenger side O2, this included welding a sheave to a deep socket and using the truck’s winch to turn the sensor, I finally decided to remove the wheel. All I can add to 01SILVERGT statement is ditto.

 

I did not need to remove the wheel on the drivers side.

But on the passenger side it makes things quite a bit easier.