Oil Filter Wrenches?

[littletoes]

OK, lets just say that just about everything out there *****, in some way or form, when it comes to working on/in the tight confines of some of these foreign jobs, and whatever is coming out of Detroit these days.


Tell me what you like guys! Tell me what you hate!

For me, the simple little "bands" that except an extension or a ratchet work best, the large socket "cups" slip, and jam on. I only have the KD Tools version, and yes, they ****. I have to pound 'em off.

My Dad gave me this little "three-wing" socket type of tool, IT SLIPS TOO. Junk.

Sometimes the only way is a very large pair of slip-joint pliers...but they are so bulky....

 

[Burgerkong]

The last option is the fail-safe, it ALWAYS works.

 

[NJHandyGuy]

i love my filter end cap s on a 3/8 ratchet

 

[DrkMtnDew]

well for most of the oil changes that i do and then come back for the next service don't need a wrench of any kind. but for the ones that Rambo put on i like the expanding wrench from Matco. if that doesn't work (only slipped one so far) then i use a Ridgid Nylon strap wrench. the nylon seems to works a lot better than the rubber strap especially when they get oil on them.

 

[air]

I use Channel Lock Oil Filter/PVC pliers for my Mustang, and one of the 'socket' types for the wifeys ride.

 

[crewchief888]

for normal size filters, a use lisle wrenches, or a pair of bluepoint pliers type.
otc for larger filters,
large channellocks or a 24" chain wrench take care of the overtightened filters.

 

[tjmonsen5]

i really like my craftsman oil filter pliers, they always work!

 

[AdamsAutoAdvice]

I use the Nylon Strap type on really tough oil filters.

 

[Displaced Hokie]

I've usually had good luck with my Mac pair smilar to this, although I've seen some newer versions that look like they would be more agressive (a good thing).

 

[jay50]

I use the flex band type wrenches and caps.

On those really stubborn filters put on by an oil lube idiot, I use the Cman ratcheting 3 leg wrench, 20523. It has never let me down and well worth having in your home shoop

 

[chewy7]

I use Channelocks oil filter pliers http://www.channellock.com/Category.aspx?zcid=109 .They work as long you have room to use them. We have this model http://www.channellock.com/215-Oil-Filter-PVC-Plier.aspx that works on larger truck and tractor filters. I also used this model on my 2004 gmc truck with (5.3 liter V-8) to take off the oil filter.

 

[hotsam]

I just use a large pair of regular Channelocks...and if that doesn't work, I use the "stab-a-screwdriver-through-the-filter-and-twist" method.

 

[moparmuscle88]

old style slip over universal wrench, and if its really tight, punch a hole in it and twist

 

[DrkMtnDew]

I use Channelocks oil filter pliers.

yes i forgot about these. i've got a set and they work really well when you've got the room to swing them.

 

[kc-steve]

I just use a large pair of regular Channelocks...and if that doesn't work, I use the "stab-a-screwdriver-through-the-filter-and-twist" method.

He-he, yup the ole' "stab-a-screwdriver-through-the-filter-and-twist" trick works for me as well. But I always worry about stabbing a hole and still not getting the damn thing off though. Too embarrassing to have a car towed because I couldn't get the filter off.

Steve

 

[williaty]

On my wife's 2006 Saab 9-2x 2.5i (which is really a Subaru Impreza), the oil filter is up in a hole above the exhaust headers. I can JUST fit my hand through the hole but I scrape on all sides. Obviously, that doesn't work when the header is hot. I use a wrench with 3 fingers that grab the filter. When you rotate the center portion of the wrench counter-clockwise via the 3/8" drive, the fingers pull together and crush the filter to grab it. I put that think on top of a 6" extension, and the ratchet will just barely swing below the headers. The wrench looks like this, but it's not this brand and mine has teeth on the fingers rather than rubber gloves.

 

[Steve_P]

I have one of the above three finger styles and it slips some.

This style below is a much better design.

http://www.tooltopia.com/lisle-63600.aspx

 

[jeffk14]

If you can get it on the filter, the one pictured will get ANY filter off.

 

[Tatsuya]

My dad's Toyota pick-up, brother's Acura TL, and my Toyota Corolla all have filters that mount vertically. I prefer the cap type wrench but have to use a Craftsman "spider" type filter wrench on their vehicles. I don't like it but it works.

My other brother's Honda Accord has a filter that mounts horizontally which is awesome. Way easier to catch the threads and I'm able to use my Channellock filter pliers. I love those pliers.

 

[fflintstone]

The tool “drkmtndew” pictured is what I use 95% of the time. I use the tool “displaced hokie” pictured 4% of the time and for the remaining 1% I use the tool pictured by “jeffk14”
I also have the socket kind but rarely use them anymore.

 

[claymont]

A piece of 6'-3/8" hemp rope will get almost any filter off from anywhere. Two or three wraps, give it a tug, you're good to go.

 

[Muffduster]

I don't use oil filter wrenches. A good hand tightening will only get tighter over 3,000 miles. If you have to use a wrench to get it off, then you put it on too tight.

 

[truckdriver]

I don't use oil filter wrenches. A good hand tightening will only get tighter over 3,000 miles. If you have to use a wrench to get it off, then you put it on too tight.

Unless your working on a DD S60. Tightening by hand and they will get loose. On a fleet truck where the driver rarely if ever looks at the filters they can fall off. I use this http://www.napaonline.com/Search/Detail.aspx?R=SER772320_0006402175
Even with that wrench they can be a PITA.

 

[bart1]

I don't use oil filter wrenches. A good hand tightening will only get tighter over 3,000 miles. If you have to use a wrench to get it off, then you put it on too tight.

Perhaps I should show you the second filter on my Porsche 993 - it is vertical, up in a hole. You can get fingertips on it, but that's about it. I use either the socket type or the three finger type if it's being stubborn.

 

[diesel research]

I don't use oil filter wrenches. A good hand tightening will only get tighter over 3,000 miles. If you have to use a wrench to get it off, then you put it on too tight.

Some members are not only removing their own oil filters, but customers...

For other members who state "____ tool WILL get them off" I am living testimony that most of those tools are not as sure fire as one would believe.

I like my 215 channel locks when they fit. I like my nylon strap (the heavier duty model, not stamped steel) I also have a cheapy band that works sometimes.

None of them work all of the time. Not even the screw driver method. I knew it would happen one day, and it did. Sheered the whole filter canister off, leaving sharp edges all around, still threaded to the base. The chisel started to peel the remains instead of drive it off, but eventually worked. Coulda been in hot water had that not worked. No it was not my truck.

I have also had straps crush the canisters, which is what lead to the failed screw driver method. Combination of over torquing and cheap oil filters.

 

[tpolley]

When I was in the oil changing business I used this setup 98% of the time. The other 2% were diesels with big paint can size filers or cartridge filters. The 3 foot long extension was for f-150's with the 5.4 and windstars with the 3.8. I tried the oil filter pliers and the strap wrenches and I could never get them to fit in the tight spaces and they usually ended up thrown across the shop.

 

[kab00m]

What is the part number for the channel lock plier? And which brand three fingered expanding wrench do yall use?

 

[tpolley]

I would seriously stay away from oil filter pliers. They're difficult to get in small places. They require a lot of hand force. When they slip off you smash your fingers. I've used 3 jaw expanding wrenches too and they don't work that great. I've found that the cup style I pictured above works best. They come in 2 sizes and cost about $12-$15 a piece.

 

[diesel research]

What is the part number for the channel lock plier?

I like my 215 channel locks when they fit.

that is for the 15" version suitable for bigger trucks/equipment. The 9" version LINK is #209

 

[airbatica]

I use the cap type with a 3/8 socket hole in them. Found one that was specifically designed to fit on the OEM filter (Motorcraft FL400s). Which just happens to work perfectly on my Saturn and my Ranger. Also have a band type for the genset.

 

[Elroy]

If you have a "*****" filter then this little jewel will flat take it right off:

The "band" needs to fit the OD of the filter. This particular wrench only fits the old time full size filter cans. Like a PH8A or other similar size "can". Elroy can assure you though, if it fits, the filter is coming off!

These have been discontinued for several years. Make that a few decades. Actually Elroy broke his at one time. Presented it to the Snappy man and he just laughed real hard. Long discontinued.

Elroy didn't pay attention using it once. Didn't have it fully pushed up on the filter can and twisted the spring and broke it. Elroy fixed it with some rivets:

I can tell ya, that blue tempered spring steel was a ***** drilling. It's good to go now but most vehicles today have the small filter cans so this tool now see rather limited use. When it fits the can, this wrench has NEVER failed

 

[Coach James]

I use a pair of oil filter pliers that look like the Channellock/Mac ones except I paid $5 for them at Autozone years ago.

Coach

 

[KEH]

I got the strap wrench like jeffk14 showed to take off the hydraulic oil filter on a farm tractor with front end loader. The filter wasn't real tight , just in a very awkward place to get to.

KEH

 

[CBradio]

Got a pair of the harbor freight plier type tool. I ground some of the 'teeth' into 'points' and have never slipped off a filter.

 

[woody 73]

The one with the square tube and the cotton sling has never worked for me,somehow the can always gets crushed.

On my current car the only tool that works is the cup type tool.

Facom at one time made a steel band connected to a round handle and it had a knob that when you turned it the band got tighter. I think no longer made but that was the best tool I ever used;mine developed legs and took a walk!

 

[vssjim]

Go to the Lisle web site and pic out the ones you like from them they have alot of different types but over all the two jaw type listed above will always get them off and they have a few sizes of them. http://www.lislecorp.com/divisions/categories/browse.cfm?division=1&category=9&page=5
this also has four other pages of wrenches also at this site

 

[davidj]

I like the filter pliers the best. they have always worked for me. If you have the room id go with those. I have some from HF and they work great on my truck, but they didnt fit the filter on my brothers mustang. the jaws wouldnt close tight enough.

 

[JayL]

We do commercial oil changing and this type of kits work for us well. IIRC its made by WolfHead.

Toptul makes a smaller kit too but compared to aluminum Wolfheads their stamp metal looks cheesy.

 

[eurokid]

I have this AST oil filter wrench set. They are very high quality and I've never had any problems with them sticking or jamming on a oil filter. The bigger cups are cast aluminum, one of them is steel but It's nice and thick heavy gauge steel. The smaller ones are forged steel, not cast like some of the cheaper stuff.

 

[granitestater]

I use this Hazet model 2172:
http://chadstoolbox.com/hazet2172oilfilterwrench.aspx

It works on all makes, all models, all sizes of filters. Yes, it is VERY expensive (I have had mine for about 25 years), but it never fails and gets off even the tightest filters.