The harder they go in, the better off you are as long as they're going in straight. If you don't have the correct socket, a pipe wrench is a better tool to use instead of channel locks.
You are correct Cheryl. I was thinking they would just thread in and tighten down. They go in pretty hard both do. I will try the pipe wrench when I clean the threads. That was the other thing its tough to tell if its going in straight. Ill try again