What Is The Best Oil Filter Wrench?

[mdwilf]

After laying in the drive for an hour trying to get my oil filter off that had only been on for 400 miles!! (Truck has mostly sat for 10 years, wanted to flush things out) I thought "There has to be something better than the traditional oil filter wrench - if not, I'm going to invent it!"

So, I'd like your experience & input - if you have an oil filter wrench you love, I'd like to know about it so I can buy one or invent a better one. I have a few ideas, but I'd like to see if there's something better out there.

Thanks!!

[storm9c1]

Originally Posted by mdwilf

After laying in the drive for an hour trying to get my oil filter off that had only been on for 400 miles!! (Truck has mostly sat for 10 years, wanted to flush things out) I thought "There has to be something better than the traditional oil filter wrench - if not, I'm going to invent it!"

So, I'd like your experience & input - if you have an oil filter wrench you love, I'd like to know about it so I can buy one or invent a better one. I have a few ideas, but I'd like to see if there's something better out there.

Thanks!!

I've had this same frustration over the years, looking for the universal filter wrench. I have at least four different styles in my toolbox. When one doesn't do the job, I move on to the next. Usually one of them works. I got one at Walmart a while back that looks like a large pair of pliers but one of the ends is a clamping end with jaws like a pipe wrench, so it locks on pretty good but will damage the filter. It gets into tight places, so when all else fails, I use that one. But it's made cheap (no surprise there since Hecko en China).

[ubtripn]

They sell a cap that goes over the end of the oil filter. It takes a socket wrench, there is nothing better. Throw away those self adjusting band types and try these.

[Stocker]

I have owned steel and plastic end cap wrenches like this, and do not like them. They slip quite easily if the filter is tight.... and you only need a wrench if the filter is tight.




I have had much better luck with a nylon strap wrench.



Last, I have never used one of these, but have heard great things about them.

[cdowns]

i have a bunch for different filter wrenches// the universal nylon strap is a great standby

biggest problem over the years in parts changers who install oilfiters improperly

[truckdude239]

Originally Posted by Stocker

I have owned steel and plastic end cap wrenches like this, and do not like them. They slip quite easily if the filter is tight.... and you only need a wrench if the filter is tight.




I have had much better luck with a nylon strap wrench.



Last, I have never used one of these, but have heard great things about them.

i have the last one for work and love it

[68gmsee]

I feel your pain.. Nothing worse than a stuck filter.

Most of the better tools they have out there would work if the damn filters wouldn't crumble on you. And, sadly, in 40 years of doing my oil changes, I haven't found the perfect one either.

I have a 5 gallon bucket full of wrenches I've bought thru the years including a long metal prybar with a sharp point and a hammer. And even then, if it's really, really stuck and I happen to tear the whole container off and the screw on part is still on the engine, I use a chisel.

[dfwright]

I guess the filters are too flimsy these days to use the "Stab a big screwdriver through it" method...

[Trigger200]

Originally Posted by dfwright

I guess the filters are too flimsy these days to use the "Stab a big screwdriver through it" method...

haha, I was waiting for someone to mention this! I've done that many times over the years!

[storm9c1]

The end-cap wrenches that go onto the ratchet are bad because each filter has their own proprietary pattern, so you need a new cap for each different brand filter. When I was only using AC Delco filters, that was nice. But I quit using them because the quality of AC Delco filters went WAY down over the past 2 years (the size of the PF52 for my Caprice/Impala shrunk about 40% and the metal is about as thin as aluminum foil, bad bad bad! Purolator or Wix for the win.)

[ubtripn]

I probably shouldn't assume that what works for me will work for others. I do have to say that in my experience I have never had the cap type slip or fail me plus you can use extentions for tight spots. If it does slip then it may be the wrong size. I just pick a brand of filter, match the cap to it and then go years without any issues. (I don't change up filter types too often.) I keep a pair of the plier type mentioned above that are made by Channellock for back up. (That is what I used before the cap type came out.) I hate the self-adjusting metal band type because they slip, take too much swing to grip and worst of all, conduct electricity. The nylon type does looks interesting though.

Image below.

[sanford66]

I have an oversize pair of channellock pliers that i like to use. It works good, but shreds the heck out of the filter! Joseph

[mr48chev]

Originally Posted by sanford66

I have an oversize pair of channellock pliers that i like to use. It works good, but shreds the heck out of the filter! Joseph

Big red handled Bluepoints off the SnapOn truck that I have had forever but that is normally what I use. I had one of those strap wrenches years ago and it worked pretty well but I think I left it at the last shop I worked in because it was too nasty with old oil to put in my tool box when I left.

[SweetandLong68]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

Big red handled Bluepoints off the SnapOn truck that I have had forever but that is normally what I use. I had one of those strap wrenches years ago and it worked pretty well but I think I left it at the last shop I worked in because it was too nasty with old oil to put in my tool box when I left.

Dang...Sounds like you need to clean your tools son! heheh

[mdwilf]

Thanks for taking the time to post the pics, even showing it in action. If nothing else, I'm going to make me one of those.

The principle behind it is very similar to the idea I had laying in the driveway that night.

Thanks again!

[GASoline71]

When you get down to using one of these after all others have failed...



...you usually have oil in your armpits. If anybody has had to ever jam a screwdriver through the side of a POS oil filter knows what I'm talkin' about...

Gary

[realsteelGM]

Originally Posted by GASoline71

When you get down to using one of these after all others have failed...



...you usually have oil in your armpits. If anybody has had to ever jam a screwdriver through the side of a POS oil filter knows what I'm talkin' about...

Gary

I know what you mean....................last resort filter method! I can remember once shredding an entire filter up until I got to the screw on threads to remove what was left!

[tasian]

nothin like using a bfh and a screwdriver to change your oil in the dark before you have to work the next day

[JWPOORE]

I just ordered one of these, not sure how it will perform, but it looks like it will do the job well. Amazon.com: Lisle 63250 Wide Range Filter Wrench:...

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by JWPOORE

I just ordered one of these, not sure how it will perform, but it looks like it will do the job well. Amazon.com: Lisle 63250 Wide Range Filter Wrench: Automotive

[Palf70Step]

Originally Posted by Stocker

I have one like this that always worked great until my 02 Silverado V6. Not enough room for it to rotate.

I have an old multi-flex band filter remover that does great in most instances.

I have not had to revert to the screwdriver method in many-many years.

[scott's69]

I use the one PalfStep is showing on all my stuff except the 69. Ive always had problems getting the filters off of it. So I switched to K&N filters. They have a nut on the bottom of filter. Makes a world of difference when removing the filter. I just use a closed end wrench and she comes right off!! They cost a little more but, the cost makes up for the pain in the a@# that other filters cause.

[usmcchevy]

I use the third one stocker posted and I also have a orange end cap style one that says if fits any filter, both work good.

[Sinister]

I have some oil filter pliers like mentioned above for stuck filters.

[don t. - 72gmc]

About 30 yrs ago (+ or -) Napa had 2 in a pack metal strap types, a small and a larger version. I've had minimal problems. Yes, I've cruched a few sides but then I slid the strap down to the end/bottom of the filter. I've resorted to the hammer/screwdriver/chisle only once, but that was after the wife took her car to a "quick oil change" kinda place.

Have fun....don t. .....