I am not having any problems, but I thought I would buy a new camshaft synchronizer, just to have one as a spare.

I looked on Rockauto, and they have ones both with, and without, a "step on plug". What exactly is this? What does it do? How do I know if I need one with that?

Also, from past posts, I have learned the some symptoms that have been fixed by replacing the camshaft synchronizer are transmission jerk, chirping sound, and oil light. Quite a variety! Any way to test, to see if it needs to be replaced?

 

from experience--you'll know when it needs replaced! It's more than just a chirp; mine was a rattle/squeak, continuously; would hardly run...I diagnosed mine by removing the sensor from the top and squirting some oil down in the synchronizer. After letting it soak down a while, I sopped up the excess w/a rag, put it back together, and it ran OK w/o noise for a while. I think now that I've heard it, I would recognize it right away.