I finally stopped fighting those cheap O2 sensor sockets

I used to swear by my universal joint and a regular deep socket for downstream O2 sensors, especially on older Hondas where the wire harness is right in the way. Last Tuesday I had a 2006 Civic in the bay and spent 45 minutes fighting a seized sensor on the rear cat. The whole time I kept thinking a standard socket would work if I just tilted it right, but the boot kept smashing my knuckles against the heat shield. Finally I grabbed one of those split O2 sensor sockets with the cutout for the wire, and it went on first try, no joke. I know a lot of folks say they're gimmicky or only for tight spots, but I've now used it on three jobs in two weeks and it's saved my hands every time. The 22mm version I got was only like 15 bucks at the parts store, so it's not even a big investment. Has anyone else had a specific tool they avoided for ages and then realized they were just making the job harder on purpose?

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