Ok, it'* not what you think. Once a friend told me he liked to .... well anyways.

I am drilling out the rivets that hold the heat shield covering the O2 sensor. What a pain in the ***.
I guess this O2 sensor is not meant to be changed very often. The connector that connects from the O2 sensor to the wiring harness is midway down this heat shield.
The O2 fooler plugs into the harness connection.
I'll just rivet the cover back on again cause I'll never be changing that O2 sensor again.

.....now, if I can just get those blasted plug wires off those plugs.

I read somewhere that it was riveted...lots eh? Is it the access (or lack of) that makes it a bitch?

Sounds like you aren't having the best time with that 02 sensor.

This is why I always say to take the stock ones off ASAP, because they are a PITA to take off, especially if they have been on long. And 3 years is PLENTY long. My dad cut his hand open changing the rear plugs in the SSEi. He was under the car, grabbed onto a wire and pulled as hard as he could. It came out, his had slammed right into the corner of a bracket. Then my mom was pissed because she had to drive him to the redi-care in HIS car because the SSEi didn't have all the plugs and wires on. For some reason she just doesn't like driving anything but her SSEi. (You can't really blame her, shes spoiled with the SSEi) I wish you luck with your plug changing, and watch out for brackets.

Shawn

No, only 4 rivets but they are the nice 3/4" dia. large head 3/16" size and anodized a perty purple. Seems almost too nice to drill out and replace with crapo tire rivets.

Do you think it would be possible to break off the plugs with the wires to help remove them. Won't be using the plugs again so doesn't matter if they break.
The stock metal cover over the wire ends that go over the plugs, wraps around the end of the boot so it doesn't allow you to insert anything into them to pull them off while breaking the suction.