My right hand.
Favorite Oil Filter Wrench
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The rubber-lined metal strap wrench is my favorite.
The Amsoil small filter wrench (below) is a close second. Really nice for the wife's Nissan, which has the filter in a lousy spot.
The Amsoil small filter wrench (below) is a close second. Really nice for the wife's Nissan, which has the filter in a lousy spot.
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
I use one of these cheapo flexible ones since on the Jetta it's hard to fit any other kind of wrench down there to get a good grasp of the filter (if you're changing it from the top):
I have a similar flex wrench except it has a 3/8 ratchet hole instead of a handle. I have had one of those large socket type wrenches in my hand many times at the auto store, bbut I always put it back. I still want one, but I don't want to pay $5 for it. My biggest problem is remembering where I put the thing. I always put it where I won't forget, then I can't remember where it was.
I use one of these cheapo flexible ones since on the Jetta it's hard to fit any other kind of wrench down there to get a good grasp of the filter (if you're changing it from the top):
I have a similar flex wrench except it has a 3/8 ratchet hole instead of a handle. I have had one of those large socket type wrenches in my hand many times at the auto store, bbut I always put it back. I still want one, but I don't want to pay $5 for it. My biggest problem is remembering where I put the thing. I always put it where I won't forget, then I can't remember where it was.
I prefer the strap wrench. this one is a 3/4" bar with a slit at the top, and a strap that can handle even a big diesel filter. you wrap it around the filter until it's snug, but your 3/4" open ended wrench or 1/2" drive rachet in the center and crank away. it will not slip, break or bust knuckles.
It takes a bit of practice to use, but it gets to about 80% of what I work on.
the other one I like is a channel lock plier that has 2 teeth on top and bottom, I've had excellent results with this, although large large diameter filters it doens't fare so well.
For your Altima.. why get a wrench? Use your hands, the filter (PF7317) size shouldn't need its own filter cap.
It takes a bit of practice to use, but it gets to about 80% of what I work on.
the other one I like is a channel lock plier that has 2 teeth on top and bottom, I've had excellent results with this, although large large diameter filters it doens't fare so well.
For your Altima.. why get a wrench? Use your hands, the filter (PF7317) size shouldn't need its own filter cap.
Originally Posted By: OilNerd
The rubber-lined metal strap wrench is my favorite.
The Amsoil small filter wrench (below) is a close second. Really nice for the wife's Nissan, which has the filter in a lousy spot.
That's a great filter wrench, I have the import filter size (small) and the large sized version.
The rubber-lined metal strap wrench is my favorite.
The Amsoil small filter wrench (below) is a close second. Really nice for the wife's Nissan, which has the filter in a lousy spot.
That's a great filter wrench, I have the import filter size (small) and the large sized version.
when i was working as a mechanic i used the pliers style for everything. never came across a filter that they didn't work on. IMO the strap and cap style filters are worthless because they only work on certain cars. why not just get one tool that can do it all?
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I found a three fingered wrench like this at AutoZone. It was a bit of a pain to get it situated on the filter, but mostly because my 99 Honda CRV has the dang filter in a hard to reach hole.
However, this was actually the wrench that I was finally able to get the filter off with, so I must say that it works if you have the patience to get the grips/tension situated right.
Originally Posted By: ThirdeYe
Originally Posted By: OilNerd
The rubber-lined metal strap wrench is my favorite.
The Amsoil small filter wrench (below) is a close second. Really nice for the wife's Nissan, which has the filter in a lousy spot.
That's a great filter wrench, I have the import filter size (small) and the large sized version.
I use a claw wrench similar to this to remove filters. My Corvette oil filter torques on to a high value, almost 2 1/2 turns, so it is VERY hard to remove, little clearance also. My claw works no sweat.
Originally Posted By: OilNerd
The rubber-lined metal strap wrench is my favorite.
The Amsoil small filter wrench (below) is a close second. Really nice for the wife's Nissan, which has the filter in a lousy spot.
That's a great filter wrench, I have the import filter size (small) and the large sized version.
I use a claw wrench similar to this to remove filters. My Corvette oil filter torques on to a high value, almost 2 1/2 turns, so it is VERY hard to remove, little clearance also. My claw works no sweat.
Lisle Tools makes one very similar. Bought mine at O Reillys.
I've got one of these too it's OK. I still grab the cap wrench first.
I use a strap wrench.
Chain Vise-Grip
I used one, but slow and overkill.
Originally Posted By: tom slick
If you have room the pliers style work great. On my own vehicles I usually don't need anything more than my hand to remove/install filters.
Maybe you can get these with red handles for a few dollars more
i have a red one by snap-on. it's always worked for me
If you have room the pliers style work great. On my own vehicles I usually don't need anything more than my hand to remove/install filters.
Maybe you can get these with red handles for a few dollars more
i have a red one by snap-on. it's always worked for me
I bought one of these because it is the only wrench I can get in the tiny space where the oil filter on my 2.2 is located.
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I have at least six different wrenches as a result of various cars and motorcycles over 30 some years. It all boils down to what works best with the vehicles in your fleet. Right now I can do all four vehicles very easily with two different sizes of strap wrenches as long as they have the hinged handle. The newer hinged handles is what have brought the the old style strap wrenches back to the front of the tool box for me. With the old straight fixed handle strap wrenches I could not do any of my vehicles today, not enough room. With the cap style you may find that if you change filter brands for the same vehicle it may no longer fit correctly. It has been the least used in my collection. The claw type was by far the best solution for one vehicle that I owned but have not used it since.
Originally Posted By: L_Sludger
Originally Posted By: tom slick
If you have room the pliers style work great. On my own vehicles I usually don't need anything more than my hand to remove/install filters.
Maybe you can get these with red handles for a few dollars more
i have a red one by snap-on. it's always worked for me
I have them too. They are good, but need a lot of room.
I had good luck recently with duct tape. Yes, duct tape. I wiped the "stuck" filter clean, applied duct tape, taking care to NOT lay it flat, rather making some kinks in it, and it worked perfectly on the hard-to-reach Honda rear engine location. You can actually gain more leverage making small filter big, if you apply enough.
Originally Posted By: tom slick
If you have room the pliers style work great. On my own vehicles I usually don't need anything more than my hand to remove/install filters.
Maybe you can get these with red handles for a few dollars more
i have a red one by snap-on. it's always worked for me
I have them too. They are good, but need a lot of room.
I had good luck recently with duct tape. Yes, duct tape. I wiped the "stuck" filter clean, applied duct tape, taking care to NOT lay it flat, rather making some kinks in it, and it worked perfectly on the hard-to-reach Honda rear engine location. You can actually gain more leverage making small filter big, if you apply enough.
Originally Posted By: Corvette Owner
Originally Posted By: ThirdeYe
Originally Posted By: OilNerd
The rubber-lined metal strap wrench is my favorite.
The Amsoil small filter wrench (below) is a close second. Really nice for the wife's Nissan, which has the filter in a lousy spot.
That's a great filter wrench, I have the import filter size (small) and the large sized version.
I use a claw wrench similar to this to remove filters. My Corvette oil filter torques on to a high value, almost 2 1/2 turns, so it is VERY hard to remove, little clearance also. My claw works no sweat.
I am surprised it fits. I have a 5.3 GM engine and the filter is very close to the Aluminum oil pan. Maybe an 1/8 inch clearense. I could NOT use one of those 3 finger wrenches.
Originally Posted By: ThirdeYe
Originally Posted By: OilNerd
The rubber-lined metal strap wrench is my favorite.
The Amsoil small filter wrench (below) is a close second. Really nice for the wife's Nissan, which has the filter in a lousy spot.
That's a great filter wrench, I have the import filter size (small) and the large sized version.
I use a claw wrench similar to this to remove filters. My Corvette oil filter torques on to a high value, almost 2 1/2 turns, so it is VERY hard to remove, little clearance also. My claw works no sweat.
I am surprised it fits. I have a 5.3 GM engine and the filter is very close to the Aluminum oil pan. Maybe an 1/8 inch clearense. I could NOT use one of those 3 finger wrenches.
I like the plier type filter wrench...but when I install a new oil filter, I usually use my hand only. I think we are suppose to install the new filter by hand only. If we use the filter wrench, it may be too tight and can cause leaking...
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