Well my car said Merry Christmas to me and threw this code and a CEL. I'm not too familiar with o2 sensors, but I was able to check data with my Bluedriver and saw the sensor was reading about .3 volts. Am I in need of a new sensor, or is this due to another problem?

 

The easiest way is to swap O2s between banks and see if the code follows the sensor.

 

What's the best way to remove the downstream sensors? I had a look while fixing an exhaust flange leak and it looks like it's going to be a really fun job to do

 

I believe it requires a special socket and a bit of persistence.

 

And liquid courage... I can already imagine how stuck the sensor(s) are gonna be

 

Heat and 22mm sensor socket.

Normally I don't even try removing O2 sensors without heating pipe red hot with oxy acetylene. Propane torch should work as well.

Otherwise you are risking damaging the threads and fixing them is less fun than torch.

 

I'm gonna finally stop procrastinating this project this week. I'm thinking it looks like its easiest to get at the sensor by removing the strut brace and going in from the engine bay

 

Finally got around to changing sensor. Luckily old sensor came out with just a little effort on my big breaker bar. I removed skid plate for trans and was pretty easy to get at. I find the car runs a little smoother after putting the new sensor in, and I am seeing good voltage readings while driving now (around .6v vs .05V before)