Oil filter wrenches

[flushcut]

Who makes nice, good quality, and reasonably priced oil filter wrenches? Wrenches not sockets. Thanks.

 

[redragoon]

I have used the slip joint ones from Advance Auto, but my favorite is the 3 arm Husky one that goes on to a ratchet. It collapses onto the filter and gets into tight spaces. Otherwise just get the slip joint ones from HF or any other place.

 

[zmotorsports]

I've purchased most all of mine from NAPA. I believe some of the earlier ones were made by Danaher and the latest couple with the blue/yellow comfort grip handles are made by Carlyle. I'm also fond of the flex or pivoting handle for awkward or hard locations to reach.

On edit, here is a picture of two of the Carlyle filter wrenches.

 

[lardy1]

I just recently bought the Tekton. I haven't used it yet.

 

[Mechanical Noise]

Who makes nice, good quality, and reasonably priced oil filter wrenches? Wrenches not sockets. Thanks.

I have the Lisle band type wrenches which usually work well for me. I also have some end cup types which do the job when the Lisle wrenches don't work well.

The end cup ones work great but each only fits a few different filters.

 

[Wamsutta]

The KD Tools 'S W I V O I L' has always been my favorite.

They come in four sizes.

 

[1foxracing]

3 Peaks KW-100 & KW-200

 

[mikegt4]

3 Peaks KW-100 & KW-200

I had one like that except it was made of folded sheet metal. It was a great tool that I used for 30+ years until the metal tore at the rivets. I will have to check these out.

I also have one of the band style wrenches that I got from a friend when he was cleaning out his parents home after they passed. His Dad, a top level aerospace engineer, had replaced the handle with a 12" long piece of 1/8"x1" aluminum flat bar for increased leverage. It will loosen just about any stuck filter as long as there is room to swing the handle. I remember his Dad using it back in the 1960's on the big block full size Buick's that he always drove.

 

[DFB]

I have a few but my most used is a swivel handle type strap wrench. I have two just about the same (different tool labels) and both have a rubberized grip strip lining the inside.

I generally hate using endcap wrenches but with my John Deere diesel engine oil filter that's really the only type that fits easy without a lot of hassle, but rarely works well never see such tight filter even with my own maintenance.

IMO they all should have the nut on the end like some of them Harley Filters...the ones everybody hates

My buddy can barely give those away down at the motorcycle shop

 

[Davefr]

This is all I use. I hate the sockets, 2-3 jaw clamps and various strap/band style clamps. They either slip or I run out of arc before they get a tight enough grip. And you need a gazillion different sizes/variations.

These aren't too kind to the filter but I use them for removal only and hand tighten the new filter. They seem to fit all filter sizes.

 

[bob15]

My US-made KD's have always worked well for me. I found e-bay was cheapest (with free shipping) when I needed a smaller sized one.

 

[sparky 1971]

About two years ago, after fighting to get the filter off of my wife's Commander, I made the switch to K&N filters. My filter wrench is now a 1" socket and ratchet. The smaller filters take a different size, but I don't have anything that uses them.

 

[Rabid Badger]

This is all I use. I hate the sockets, 2-3 jaw clamps and various strap/band style clamps. They either slip or I run out of arc before they get a tight enough grip. And you need a gazillion different sizes/variations.

These aren't too kind to the filter but I use them for removal only and hand tighten the new filter. They seem to fit all filter sizes.

This man speaks the truth.

 

[Tripn88]

This man speaks the truth.

I agree. I use the lisle 50750 for just about everything and some green OEM brand ones for those small ones in little lawn mowers and odd ball tractor sizes.

 

[Jeepster04]

I've got every style of filter removal tool possible and my go to is the cup wrenches. If the filter is so tight that those wont work Ill resort to something else.

Typically the cup wrenches are all that will work given the location of the filter.

 

[M6erfan]

These guys make nice oil filter tools. Wrenches, sockets, cups......

https://www.motivxtools.com/collections/oil-filter-wrenches

 

[Professional Tool User]

It really depends on what type we are talking about. For the band type, the lisle ones are decent. For claw type, I'd go with the generic reversible made in Taiwan one that everyone rebrands. My favourite type are the pliers. The imperial ones I'm using are decent.

 

[plinker]

I prefer the Channellock filter pliers for the most part, but I do have one of the Napa band style wrenches and works pretty nice.

I do have a couple of the cap/socket style, but those are for specific uses.

 

[ChevyEFI]

I have a big and a little Lisle band style.
I find myself wanting a slightly smaller version of the littler one.

It just rotates too much before grabbing hold of a 5.3 Chevy filter. So it bumps into pan or crossmember or whatever.
Maybe I'll get a 3/8" drive band style.

 

[Dentaltec]

screw driver and a hammer all done

 

[tym]

I prefer the Channellock filter pliers; they work great when you have room to swing.

In tight spaces, up until recently I've been fighting with those craptastic stamped steel cups from the chain store. Finally upgraded to a set of the Mac composite wrenches that I picked up like-new on the 'bay for about $50.

 

[JohnnieMo]

I use these. I don’t have so many sizes that I can’t just buy one to fit.



I also have a set of channel locks as a backup.

 

[Torque&Recoil]

Where did you get those 3 Peaks wrenches? They look like they would grip like crazy with all those teeth.

 

[darkzero]

This is all I use. I hate the sockets, 2-3 jaw clamps and various strap/band style clamps. They either slip or I run out of arc before they get a tight enough grip. And you need a gazillion different sizes/variations.

These aren't too kind to the filter but I use them for removal only and hand tighten the new filter. They seem to fit all filter sizes.

I've got the same exact one. Not the best quality, figured it would be a bit better coming from Tekton. But they're inexpensive, gets the job done, & have never failed me yet. I'll keep using them.

 

[darkzero]

screw driver and a hammer all done

You left out "clean the mess", then all done.

I've only done that once in my lifetime, was a last resort.

 

[visionguru]

I have Channellocks, which are way better made than those oil filter pliers, also useful when dealing with water filter caps etc.

Unless you have very limited space around the oil filter, those pliers should be enough. Otherwise, a well made cap type with a wrenchable nut (not the cheap sheet metal ones) is the best option, but you need one for each different vehicle:

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

I use these. I don’t have so many sizes that I can’t just buy one to fit.



I also have a set of channel locks as a backup.

Exactly what I use. Sometimes the filter likes to bind up in the socket but it easy to knock loose. Works exceptionally well to torque on the replacement. Also have the 3 Peaks but never seem to use it.

 

[Hagatronics]

I just put this together for a drawer in service cart. Got the whole set from eBay really cheap (AUD$42 or USD$28 delivered). I work on a few Subaru boxer engines and you need the socket type as there is zero room to get to it from the side. Will write on each one the filter model they correlate to as I go.

Chanellocks for the rest.

 

[KnurledNut]

I just put this together for a drawer in service cart. Got the whole set from eBay really cheap (AUD$42 or USD$28 delivered). I work on a few Subaru boxer engines and you need the socket type as there is zero room to get to it from the side. Will write on each one the filter model they correlate to as I go.

Chanellocks for the rest.

We need a “LIKE” button...

 

[HenryAZ]

I've always used my strap filter wrench. The strap is made of nylon (or some such synthetic material) and the metal handle is about 6" long, steel, square and hollow. The hollow is 1/2"
so you can use a 1/2" breaker bar or ratchet with it. It has never failed to remove a filter. The strap opens up to take quite a large filter, but I've never used its full capacity on automotive filters.

 

[lardy1]

K&N got it right on their later model Harley Davidson filters. The hex head stamped into the filter housing makes removal so much easier.

I'm not an auto mechanic. Maybe there is a reason that this isn't practical for four wheel vehicles as well. The screwdriver drove through the filter for a removal handle *****. Been there/done that.

 

[KnurledNut]

K&N got it right on their later model Harley Davidson filters. The hex head stamped into the filter housing makes removal so much easier.

I'm not an auto mechanic. Maybe there is a reason that this isn't practical for four wheel vehicles as well. The screwdriver drove through the filter for a removal handle *****. Been there/done that.

They also make auto filters.

The spot welded sheet metal nut serves a dual purpose: removal and safety wire anchoring. (It also provides an opportunity to oil that lonely 1”/25mm wrench.)

 

[zmotorsports]

I just put this together for a drawer in service cart. Got the whole set from eBay really cheap (AUD$42 or USD$28 delivered). I work on a few Subaru boxer engines and you need the socket type as there is zero room to get to it from the side. Will write on each one the filter model they correlate to as I go.

Chanellocks for the rest.

Very nicely done.

 

[1foxracing]

Where did you get those 3 Peaks wrenches? They look like they would grip like crazy with all those teeth.

JDV products out of NJ ordered them for me, they don't stock them but will special order them.
[email protected]

 

[thr3squared]

This is all I use. I hate the sockets, 2-3 jaw clamps and various strap/band style clamps. They either slip or I run out of arc before they get a tight enough grip. And you need a gazillion different sizes/variations.

These aren't too kind to the filter but I use them for removal only and hand tighten the new filter. They seem to fit all filter sizes.

^^^^ what he said ^^^^ Not worried about damaging the old filter. and I always hand tighten the new one- never once had a problem.

 

[DFB]

I have Channellocks, which are way better made than those oil filter pliers, also useful when dealing with water filter caps etc.

[/IMG]

I have two pairs of them I have completely crushed stuck filters with them

 

[DFB]

What has NO ONE piped in yet with the HF locking pliers here

 

[TexasT]

i've found if ya don't twist em on so tight, removal isn't near as hard. but i do have several versions of what is pictured above, and have driven screw drivers through a couple times. I like the band type and if it is too big a socket or extension in there to take up space works pretty good.

 

[2oolhound]

screw driver and a hammer all done

You left out "clean the mess", then all done.

I've only done that once in my lifetime, was a last resort.

Yes, a photo should accompany this post.

 

[AS556]

I have two pairs of them I have completely crushed stuck filters with them

That's what I use, too. The Channellock brand.