Best Oil Filter Wrench for Tight FIlters

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JerryBob

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I may forego the free dealer oil changes and change the oil in my new truck myself. It is more convenient, since the dealer is pretty far.

I have heard that factory oil filters are on pretty tight.

Is it possible that either of these wrenches could damage or crush a filter in the process of removing it? I don't want to be stuck at home with a car that I can no longer run, due to a damaged filter. I really need some sort of cap wrench. The filter is base-down on top, and I can't get a strap wrench on it.

http://www.amazon.com/Lisle-63600-Oil-Filter-Tool/dp/B0002SR4Q8

http://www.autozone.com/shop-and-garage-...nch/548378_0_0/
 
I think there's enough 'grab area' that you'd be ok with these. I have similar and been fine. The Lisle stuff I've bought over the years has been good.
 
For years I have used a 20" set of channel lock pliers to remove super tight oil filters. The pliers will dent the oil filter housing getting it off if it is on super tight but in 45 years no oil filter has ever failed to loosen and come off with the channel lock pliers. They come in handy for a few other tasks as well but really are a great tool for tight oil filters in tight spaces.

http://www.amazon.com/Channellock-480-2-...ge+channel+lock
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: cashmoney
For years I have used a 20" set of channel lock pliers to remove super tight oil filters. The pliers will dent the oil filter housing getting it off if it is on super tight but in 45 years no oil filter has ever failed to loosen and come off with the channel lock pliers. They come in handy for a few other tasks as well but really are a great tool for tight oil filters in tight spaces.

http://www.amazon.com/Channellock-480-2-...ge+channel+lock


Yep, channel locks, or I've hammered a screw driver through the side to get leverage in a pinch.
 
A piece of sandpaper and elbow grease always worked for me.
Then just don't over tighten and don't let anyone else touch them and hand strength is plenty, going forward.
 
In days of yore I used a hammer and a screwdriver on occasion. The filter on the Rat is in a spot the won't allow this. Or a strap wrench. I bought a socket, used it once, and now it lives in the glove box. The old Ford is antithetical to my mindset. A Ranger is great truck, but only if it is new. It wasn't designed to be fixed. There are many jobs on it that are so much easier on the 528e.
 
Do you know the part number for the filter? You can count the flutes and how many millimeters wide it is and buy the appropriate cap wrench. For my Hyundai, I ended up buying a 79mm 15 flute cap wrench.

I would advise you to buy an OEM Toyota filter and try to find a cap wrench to fit that one.

Just in case you didn't know, cap wrenches have a very snug fit, so if the auto parts store tries to sell you a cap wrench that's a little loose, it isn't the right one.

Case in point, in my scenario, the local parts store had an 80mm 15 flute wrench that had a close fit but it was a little loose, so I found a 79mm 15 flute cap wrench online (which fit perfectly) and that 1mm really did make a difference when removing that tight factory filter.

Hope this helps.
 
I have the Lisle wrench and it is excellent. It will dent the metal filter can, but has ALWAYS removed every filter I have used it on for the past 10 years. This includes filters wrenched on by a 500 lb. gorilla moonlighting as a Quick Lube technician.
 
Originally Posted By: JerryBob
I may forego the free dealer oil changes and change the oil in my new truck myself. It is more convenient, since the dealer is pretty far.

I have heard that factory oil filters are on pretty tight.

Is it possible that either of these wrenches could damage or crush a filter in the process of removing it? I don't want to be stuck at home with a car that I can no longer run, due to a damaged filter. I really need some sort of cap wrench. The filter is base-down on top, and I can't get a strap wrench on it.

http://www.amazon.com/Lisle-63600-Oil-Filter-Tool/dp/B0002SR4Q8

http://www.autozone.com/shop-and-garage-...nch/548378_0_0/


I JUST used this very same wrench last weekend on a filter that wouldn't budge...and it got the job done without crushing the case!

The only suggestion that I've heard, and I also think would be a great idea, would be to put a nice, beefy rubber band around the "wrench" so that when you do slip it over your filter, it makes it easier for the wrench to get its initial "bite".

I think you'll like this wrench - whether you do or don't have a lot of operating space, it seems to be a pretty good little "tool"!

smile.gif


Ed
 
Originally Posted By: qdeezie
Do you know the part number for the filter? You can count the flutes and how many millimeters wide it is and buy the appropriate cap wrench. For my Hyundai, I ended up buying a 79mm 15 flute cap wrench.

I would advise you to buy an OEM Toyota filter and try to find a cap wrench to fit that one.

Just in case you didn't know, cap wrenches have a very snug fit, so if the auto parts store tries to sell you a cap wrench that's a little loose, it isn't the right one.

Case in point, in my scenario, the local parts store had an 80mm 15 flute wrench that had a close fit but it was a little loose, so I found a 79mm 15 flute cap wrench online (which fit perfectly) and that 1mm really did make a difference when removing that tight factory filter.

Hope this helps.


Just an FYI - I bought the "cap wrench" from Toyota at my local dealership, and in MY opinion...it's worthless unless your filter isn't very tight. If your filter was put on by Hans or Franz...use the Lisle. It will get the job done.

Ed
 
Originally Posted By: Ed_Flecko
Originally Posted By: JerryBob
I may forego the free dealer oil changes and change the oil in my new truck myself. It is more convenient, since the dealer is pretty far.

I have heard that factory oil filters are on pretty tight.

Is it possible that either of these wrenches could damage or crush a filter in the process of removing it? I don't want to be stuck at home with a car that I can no longer run, due to a damaged filter. I really need some sort of cap wrench. The filter is base-down on top, and I can't get a strap wrench on it.

http://www.amazon.com/Lisle-63600-Oil-Filter-Tool/dp/B0002SR4Q8

http://www.autozone.com/shop-and-garage-...nch/548378_0_0/


I JUST used this very same wrench last weekend on a filter that wouldn't budge...and it got the job done without crushing the case!


Ed



Appreciate all the responses. Were you referring to the Lisle or the cheapie from AutoZone?
 
Originally Posted By: JerryBob
Originally Posted By: mattwithcats
Try this...

http://m.harborfreight.com/locking-oil-filter-wrench-66570.html



Thanks, but the only angle of attack I have with this filter is straight-on with a cap wrench type deal.


Did someone say this was a Toyota? Autozone sells a Toyota filter wrench for $10. Not sure if it's for your vehicle. But I used it all the time when I changed oil. (last year)

While you're at Autozone try it on a new filter to check the fit and get the right one.

http://www.autozone.com/shop-and-garage-..._0/?kpid=978119
 
Last edited:
I actually bought mine from WalMart and it worked just fine, but it look identical to the ones you're describing.

Ed
 
Originally Posted By: JerryBob
.... Were you referring to the Lisle or the cheapie from AutoZone?

I purchased the OEM brand import cap wrench from AZ for my son some years back, and it works great. Honestly thinking you would be hard pressed to see a difference in quality between it and the Lisle. And iirc, it looks like the AZ price has come down by a buck or two since then. If I didn't already have so many different cap wrenches and strap type wrenches I'd buy one for myself. As long you have space to get the cap wrench around the filter, should work fine.

Lisle does also make the same type wrench for larger diameter filters that afaik is not available in the AZ OEM brand.
 
JerryBob,

below is a pretty good discussion over at garagejournal. The Lisle gets quite a few thumbs up.

I have the 3 leg style that hasn't failed me, but my link suggests that the Lisle might be better.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=162494

Also note the band style that you can use with a 3/8 ratchet. Often the choice hinges on access area to the filter.

Best of luck.
 
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