Oil Filter Wrench

[hammersley]

I have a great oil filter Strap - Snap On - BUT I want to buy a REALLY GOOD Oil Filter Plyer Type wrench. I have a Harbor Freight one - that is not what I want - surprise, surprise. I haven't seen the Snap On one - does anybody make one that is better????

The Snap on #'s are either the YA 4050B or the YA 4250 (6"). The snap on site is knid'a not up to speed - can't seem to tell the difference in these two - obviously one is bigger - but not sure if the 6" one is to big!

 

[andrewkoperdak]

strap wrench

I used a generic strap wrench to get my oil filter off the first time. The factory install was tighter than what was reasonable. Anyway I bought it at a local hardware store. Note that I have not had to use it since the first oil change as I don't over-tighten the darn thing. Did I mention I have a good grip as I crush rock with my bare hands. Just kidding! But maybe just maybe the generic strap wrench is what you are looking for. Look around Home Depot, Lowe's, Ace HW, True Value you know whatever is in your area. I am sure you will find it less expensive than something made for the automotive industry.





Andy

 

[DEZLPWR]

Here you go...the ABSOLUTE last/only oil filter wrench you will ever need!

Check it out. It is pricey, but it is the best. It is especially awesome for tight spots!



http://www.griotsgarage.com/search.jsp?searchtext=oil+filter&search.x=15&search.y=4

 

[Joe G.]

I just use a long screw driver like a chizel on the upper rim of the filter. A few bangs of the hammer and it comes loose. This is the easiest way. NO struggle to get the filter wrench on and off. NO accidental shorting out of the hot wire on the alternator.

 

[Sky]

Originally posted by Joe G.

I just use a long screw driver like a chizel on the upper rim of the filter. A few bangs of the hammer and it comes loose. This is the easiest way. NO struggle to get the filter wrench on and off. NO accidental shorting out of the hot wire on the alternator.

So how do you re-tighten it back up? Hand tight isnt good enough IMO.

 

[sdalton]

I did the Screwdriver trick the fisrt 4 times, then bought a generic strap wrench. It cost 8-10 dollars. Best money spent on my truck. Very easy to use. Very fast to take off, hot, or cold.



Scott

 

[Utah Willie]

My '99 has the oil filter in a place inaccessible for a conventional strap wrench so I use one I got at Auto-Zone or a like store. Basically, it is a 4" long square tube with a 1/2 inch I. D. and a strap attached at a 90 degree angle at one end. I slip it under the filter and up to the top and insert a 1/2 inch extension (10") into the end and use a ratchet to turn the strap... . a little at a time as it often slips a bit. But... . it works!Oo.

 

[emjay]

I've used the same old Pep Boys cheapo steel band oil filter wrench for 20 odd years. Works great.

 

[jeepit]

OK, Been struggling for 2 hours trying to get oil filter off. How do you do the screwdriver thing?

 

[mcoleman]

I bought the vise grip style locking filter pliers at Harbor Freight. They work great. Once it's broke loose I simply spin it the rest of the way off with my hands. And I always hand tighten my filters. There is no need to tighten a filter tighter than what I can get it with both hands. Don't forget to punch a small hole in the bottom of the filter before you loosen it so it can drain. You will have a mess if you forget this step.

 

[curatchko]

I use a nylon strap type wrench. It's made of something that looks like a seatbelt... and you wrap it around the filter and the two ends of the belt fit into a fitting for a 1/2" socket wrench. You just start turning the fitting and it tightens up the belt, and begins to turn the filter.



Excellent tool for fitting the belt around things and on to the filter... don't know where to get it though.

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by mcoleman

I bought the vise grip style locking filter pliers at Harbor Freight. They work great.

I use the same thing and it could not be easier. Mine was on sale for around $6. 00. I also use a zip lock bag for the filter, no oil spills with the bag.

 

[jandtjil]

Once it's loose

If you are a bit leary of taking a punch to the bottomside of the filter, try slipping a gallon ziploc bag around the bottom.

This works well when using a strap wrench as you can position the bag, slide the end of the strap behind the filter, without worry of ripping tearing ziploc. Then break the filter free, pull the strap out of the way, hand twist filter, filter drops free into bag. Pull bag and filter out.

I tried this once on a 100 degree plus day after a short drive, the engine was extremely hot and remained so for a looooong time, I was a bit worried that when the oil hit the ziploc that it would disolve, but it hung in there long enough to reach the drain pan.



JJ

 

[jchapin]

I'm also a big fan of the nylon strap wrench on my CTD. They work much better when nylong strap is broken in(hot water soak may help new strap). I had a new one that slipped a little and replaced it with an old one that had spent many days in the bilge water of a diesel boat. I hand-tighten the OF, but crank it real tight with rubber gloves so I usually need the wrench to remove it. (I don't want Cummins rattling OF off. . mark with Sharpie and check frequently at first)



I thoroughly covered the metal part of the wrench with electrical tape to ensure no shorting out if it falls against the wrong stuff. Also, cover the area with towels to prevent shorting out from the socket-extension bar inserted into the wrench(or anything else that gets misplaced).



Just be carefull and you'll never have that shorting out accident... Damn, now I just cursed myself with that last statement...



If you can't find one, lemme know and I'll give you the new one that I replaced. No need to have two.



Cheers,

-Jack

 

[QRTRHRS]

http://www.channellock.com/acb/showdetl. cfm?&DID=6&Product_ID=51&CATID=14 I like the Channelock's. Available in 12" or 15". I have both but the 12" work with the Dodge and most other applications. I pull my BHAF off at the turbo inlet for more room when I do my filter. Makes for much better access.

 

[stick]

Heck! I just let my wife do it !



Stick

 

[bfreel]

Have never had a problem removing oil filter from day one! Bought a strap type (KD) I think, at auto parts store with a 6" long square tube attached, that a 1/2" drive extention and ratchet fit into. Remove the air tube between the turbo and filter box for some extra room to work, slip a large ziplock bag up over the filter, and off it comes!

 

[illflem]

Originally posted by stick

Heck! I just let my wife do it !

Me too. When she's done tightening up the drain plug she bangs on the oil pan with the wrench. After I finish my beer I pull her out from under the truck by her heels.

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by illflem

Me too. When she's done tightening up the drain plug she bangs on the oil pan with the wrench. After I finish my beer I pull her out from under the truck by her heels.

:-laf :-laf :-laf Great word picture. I needed that

 

[RON'S RAM]

I just drain the oil from the pan, then check out every thing on the underside of the truck, go have a soda or something for around 20 minutes to 1/2 hr. The oil will siphon out of the filter if you wait that long, and then there's no mess. I have always tightened my filters by hand, and never had a problem. Many many filters. I like the idea of lettin the wife do it though and bangin on the oil pan when she's finished.