went to the dark side today

[meborder]

I have to admit ... I haven't bought a fram oil filter since the mid 90's.

Didn't really plan to do an oil change today, but the miles and weather were right, and with much colder weather coming I decided to go for it.

Went to WalMart and got then FRAM ultra instead of the Bosch distance plus. I guess I wanted to save $2.

The only thing I'm worried about is the grippy stuff and whether my filter wrench will fit when the time comes.....

Anyway ... Whatever, right?

 

[Ramblejam]

Excellent filter.

 

[Mrsandman]

Yea, its a better buy. Atleast you bought the 1 good filter that company makes.

 

[bbhero]

The Fram Ultra is right up there with the best oil filters on the market. Is you filter in place where you have to use a filter wrench only ?? I'm just curious. It should be fine though with the grippy stuff.

 

[Leo99]

I usually use Bosch and have no problems with the socket type filter wrench on them but tried an OCOD just to be contrarian. Had some trouble getting the OCOD off as the socket slipped a little on the grippy stuff. Had to give the socket a little whack to get it seated deeper on the filter to get a good grip. Then I had to give the filter a few more whacks after I got it off the car to get the socket off it.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: meborder
The only thing I'm worried about is the grippy stuff and whether my filter wrench will fit when the time comes.....


You must have tightened it by hand, so if you didn't tighten it over 2/3 turn after it hit the seat, then you should be able to get it off by hand.

 

[The motor guy]

Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
Originally Posted By: meborder
The only thing I'm worried about is the grippy stuff and whether my filter wrench will fit when the time comes.....


You must have tightened it by hand, so if you didn't tighten it over 2/3 turn after it hit the seat, then you should be able to get it off by hand.


They get stuck on with the heating and cooling even if you did tighten it by hand.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: motor_oil_madman
Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
Originally Posted By: meborder
The only thing I'm worried about is the grippy stuff and whether my filter wrench will fit when the time comes.....


You must have tightened it by hand, so if you didn't tighten it over 2/3 turn after it hit the seat, then you should be able to get it off by hand.


They get stuck on with the heating and cooling even if you did tighten it by hand.


Could be ... but every oil filter that I've installed at 2/3 turn by hand can always be removed by hand.

 

[crazyoildude]

i was a little leery at first but i also use the fram ultra on my vehicles so far...I will be cutting them open in May and i will know then if i will continue using them.

 

[dlundblad]

My local WM has filter wrenches (Are they Fram brand?) that fit the filter with the sure grip crinkle finish.

I'd personally ditch that style completely and go with the 3 jaw filter wrench or the nylon strap wrench if you have the room.

 

[jorton]

I have 2 filter wrenches because size varies by brand.

 

[meborder]

Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
Originally Posted By: motor_oil_madman
Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
Originally Posted By: meborder
The only thing I'm worried about is the grippy stuff and whether my filter wrench will fit when the time comes.....


You must have tightened it by hand, so if you didn't tighten it over 2/3 turn after it hit the seat, then you should be able to get it off by hand.


They get stuck on with the heating and cooling even if you did tighten it by hand.


Could be ... but every oil filter that I've installed at 2/3 turn by hand can always be removed by hand.


To be honest, until I bought the Expedition I've never had a need for a filter wrench. I've always done like you say and turn it on by hand somewhere between 2/3 and 3/4 of a turn and then I could get them off by hand.

it is just not possible to do that with this truck. by the time you get your hand in there to reach the filter it takes everything you have with grippy gloves to get it turned on by hand. to turn it off you hand/arm just doesn't have much strength in that direction.

The very first OCI I took the filter off with a strap wrench from the top -- because I didn't own a filter wrench. after nearly an hour of trying I finally got it to bite and got it off. but that required me to take the intake snorkel off and hang my feet off the ground over the fender to get to the silly filter..... NOT fun. The only thing that really works is the "over the end" type wrench.

So, yeah, that's really my biggest concern. Whether the grippy stuff on the can will keep the canister wrench from fitting on and getting enough bite. As said above, I've pounded them on, but then pounding them off is a PITA ....

The more I think about it, the more I'm wishing I would have spent the extra $2.

 

[SilverC6]

I don't like the grippy stuff when I have to use the end cap style wrench either.

The last time I used a FRAM OCOD on my son's Mazda RX8, it was a PITA to remove.

Clearly I over-tightened it at installation but that's the way I usually do it.

Therefore, I currently have a Wix, Microgard, and Bosch Distance Plus in my filter stockpile for that application.

I may return to the Purolator L14612 next time though.

 

[goodtimes]

So now the Fram is bad because of "grippy stuff." All right what's next. So buy the Fram Pro Synthetic instead. Too slippery? Or buy a different filter tool. Clean the grippy stuff off with carb cleaner and repaint it smooth as glass.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

The Fram Ultra is actually a good filter!

I love the grippy end, It makes installation and removal MUCH easier! No filter wrench or screwdriver needed. If you only tighten it by hand (like you're supposed to), then you can remove it by hand

Too bad Purolator stopped using textured grip.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: goodtimes
So buy the Fram Pro Synthetic instead.


Those would be a better bet for using the dome end removal tool on.

 

[meborder]

Originally Posted By: goodtimes
So now the Fram is bad because of "grippy stuff." All right what's next. So buy the Fram Pro Synthetic instead. Too slippery? Or buy a different filter tool. Clean the grippy stuff off with carb cleaner and repaint it smooth as glass.


Not sure about your tone, but I never said they were had because of the grip, I said it doesn't work well in this application where a end cap style wrench is required.

As stated, I've never needed one before this vehicle. The nature of placement oj this one just makes it impossible to remove by hand. You can install it by hand but getting it off is another animal.

I had intended to use the FPS for this oil change, but I ended up changing it earlier than I planned due to the nice weather so I didn't have time to order some in.

I have NO INTEREST in getting yet another filter wrench....

 

[goodtimes]

No tone intended, sorry, more sarcastic and joking, because the poster above my old one most always always finds something wrong with Fram. But if I say I don't care for old American companies being bought and owned by a single private foreign citizen, I get a good blasting. It's fine to not like the grippy stuff, it shouldn't affect any tool though, my cap wrenches are not precise and are a little loose if anything. I measured, or tried to, and it wasn't easy to find much difference in grippy stuff diameter and where the paint is smooth, probably .005" or something. I would suggest, since this is all mechanics, to measure the item and the tool to see if they are compatible.

 

[bullwinkle]

Originally Posted By: meborder
I have to admit ... I haven't bought a fram oil filter since the mid 90's.

Didn't really plan to do an oil change today, but the miles and weather were right, and with much colder weather coming I decided to go for it.

Went to WalMart and got then FRAM ultra instead of the Bosch distance plus. I guess I wanted to save $2.

The only thing I'm worried about is the grippy stuff and whether my filter wrench will fit when the time comes.....

Anyway ... Whatever, right?
The Ultra is a much more highly rated filter. Other than it's extremely heavy can & base plate, the Distance Plus really isn't any better than any other synthetic BLEND media filter, such as Mobil 1, Fram TG, etc. No full synthetic, nor 15,000 mile rating, in a "Distance Plus".

 

[bullwinkle]

Originally Posted By: SilverC6
I don't like the grippy stuff when I have to use the end cap style wrench either.

The last time I used a FRAM OCOD on my son's Mazda RX8, it was a PITA to remove.

Clearly I over-tightened it at installation but that's the way I usually do it.

Therefore, I currently have a Wix, Microgard, and Bosch Distance Plus in my filter stockpile for that application.

I may return to the Purolator L14612 next time though.
Get yourself one of these-

I use mine on the Cummins, where there is really no room for a conventional wrench, it'll just get tighter & tighter until it breaks the filter loose.