Filter removal without a gorilla

[bkenobi]

I was going to change my filters this evening when I ran into a somewhat expected snag. NH hires gorillas to install their filters! I assume the oil filter wasn't lubricated and is locked in place. I tried my Orielly filter strap wrench (connects to a 1/2" wrench) but only got a few degrees of rotation before having clearance issues. I don't have a filter socket, but after using a strap, I'm pretty sure it's too buggered up for that. I know about pliers but have heard they can destroy the filter potentially before completely removed. Any suggestions?

 

[4570Man]

I've always used straps or pliers. My grandpa drives a screw driver through them, but I'm not a fan of that methods.

 

[bkenobi]

I had a jiffy lube guy suggest that years ago, but that seems problematic if it doesn't work. Also, tearing a hole in the filter isn't going to be mess free!

 

[MF283]

Had to use a screwdriver once, nothing a little cleaner & water hose didn't take care of. Being you got it to move a little, tighten it back up & try again.

Ronnie

 

[stuckmotor]

When I first bought my used MF the oil filter wouldn't budge and I broke my never-fail homemade filter wrench trying. Luckily, the filter was positioned so that a huge pair of arc joint pliers around the rim removed it. I had to go out and buy the pliers they cost somewhere around $25.00.

 

[s219]

I've had to drive a screwdriver through a few of them. There's also a gadget that's basically a set of jaws with a nut in the middle that you turn with a wrench. As you turn the nut in the direction to loosen a filter, it also causes the jaws to bite down. That works well, though I haven't seen in a couple years so I may have misplaced it.

I remember once on a new Subaru, I had one of those cups that fit over the end of the filter like a big socket, then you turn that with a 3/4 wrench. Could not get the filter to turn loose, and after much struggling, the cup/socket was pretty well stuck to the filter. It took me using a breaker bar with a 4' section of pipe slid over it to get the factory filter to budge. Talk about nuts.

 

[frogpond]

The gadget with a set of jaws described by s219 does work. I have one from Harbor Freight. And it's not expensive. The oil filter on my bx25d has very little clearance around it, and this device has been a knuckle saver and frustration preventer.. Because it tightens up as you turn it with a socket wrench, it can work on a variety of filter sizes. I've only used it once so far, so I can't speak to its durability.

 

[coldsteelva]

HF Part Number?

 

[oosik]

I've never had a filter that I couldn't break loose with a strap wrench. The original filter on many were tight beyond belief. I don't know if its that the engine was painted AFTER the filter was installed or ALL manufacturers have gorillas to tighten filters. Whatever - you can just about figure that the original filters are going to be really tight.

 

[CCWKen]

I've had to use the 3-screwdiriver method on a couple of cars. These were impossible to get to without a filter socket. I didn't have the socket. Once you punch the first hole in the bottom and let the filter drain, the mess isn't not that bad. Then punch another and put the third between them and twist.

It's worth buying the sockets for all your vehicles and tractors if you stick with the same brand of filter for each type. Not all brands are the same even for the same/equivalent filter number. Pick a good brand of filter and stick with it. (And keep spares.) Then buy a filter socket for that type. It will save a lot of frustration and skinned knuckles in the future.

 

[bkenobi]

HF 69021? I saw some on amazon that look similar that use teeth instead of rubber for grip. Not sure which is better but I may see if a auto parts store has that one just in case.

 

[bkenobi]

Foe what it's worth, this is what the too I tried looks like. I've tried it 2x now and it's failed both times only resulting in a crushed filter.

CTA Strap-Type Oil Filter Wrench | Tire Details | Pep Boys

 

[dickfoster]

Most people use something like this. some prefer these that use a ratchet or breaker bar, and others prefer the pliers type then there are the widgets that work on the end of the filter using a ratchet and I've even use common plumbers strap wrenches for the hard to access filters and you could also use a chain wrench which is a strap wrench that uses bicycle chain instead of a rubber or fabric strap.

I've never seen one like you have and it doesn't look like it would be very effective ero the very low price.

 

[bkenobi]

I picked up some pliers at o'Reilly and a ratchet type grabber at nappa. The pliers were slightly angled so I thought they might fit in the opening easier. I tried the ratchet first with several extensions and after getting a good bite, the filter came right off.

Oil Filter Wrench TWD PKG411 | Buy Online - NAPA Auto Parts

In store this was $10.

 

[Wagtail]

Most people use something like this. View attachment 490123 some prefer these that use a ratchet or breaker bar, View attachment 490124 and others prefer the pliers type View attachment 490125 then there are the widgets that work on the end of the filter using a ratchet and I've even use common plumbers strap wrenches for the hard to access filters and you could also use a chain wrench which is a strap wrench that uses bicycle chain instead of a rubber or fabric strap.

I've never seen one like you have and it doesn't look like it would be very effective ero the very low price.

I use the 'strap/handle' one only on my D110 due to the relatively small size of the filter. Everything on my 4105 is done with a larger 'pliers' type, which I bought at my JD dealership... it also removes/tightens the cap for the hydraulic filter.

So far, the only "factory trained gorilla" I've encountered is the one used to assemble the 'adjustable' tip of grease guns... it took two pairs of vice-grips and a hammer to loosen those up!

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Chain wrench gets everything.

 

[bkenobi]

Maybe, but mine wouldn't fit in the space unfortunately.

 

[aczlan]

Chain wrench gets everything.

Unless there isn't enough space between the filter and the engine to get it in there.

Aaron Z

 

[FredH]

I have a version of something like the 2 links below . Bought it at my local Freightliner dealer . Catapillar brand . Goes up to pretty good size , but smaller filters can be a pain , since it is designed for bigger stuff . Clearance issue's are never a problem in most cases since if You can slide the strap on , All You need is to use extensions with ratchet out of the problem area .



Amazon.com: ATD Tools 5375 Strap Oil Filter Wrench: Automotive

Amazon.com: Lumax LX-181 Black Universal Nylon Strap Filter Wrench: Automotive


Fred H.


Here is what mine looks like :

 

[frogpond]

Yes, I think 69021 is the right HF part number. At 8.99 the cost is minimal. I needed this because there wasn't room enough around the filter to use a strap wrench or band wrench. I certainly recommend it for anyone with a Kubota bx.