Spark plug renewal

[Davo13]

I have a 1990 mk2 Golf GTI 8v.

I have just replaced spark plugs(never done this before).  What I want to know is whether the terminals that screw on to the thread of the tip of the spark plug which the HT leads fit over are necessary as when i took the old spark plugs out I noticed that these did not have the terminals screwed on.  So having not replaced them before I just copied the way the old ones were in(leaving the terminals off). Thinking on, reading and seeing a picture of a spark plug I seen that the terminals were on the plugs, so I decided to go out side and put the terminals on the spark plugs.  I did this and tried to put the HT leads back on but they would not fit over the terminal properly.  I did not want to be too rough with the leads in case I damaged them.

So basically I want to know has anyone else had this problem and if there is a way of making them fit or does it not matter whether the terminals are screwed on or not?

Thanks in advance

[Gambit]

its fine with the terminals off, its like a dual fit jobby!!

[rubjonny]

Aye some sparky leads work with the terminals, some don't.  Genuine VW leads work without the terminals, as do the OEM quality Beru ones I bought recently.

[rowlers]

you learn something everyday!!

Always thought the screw tops were meant to be fitted!!