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.

[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.

[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

[dfwright]

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

[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

[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

[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

[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. .....

[storm9c1]

Originally Posted by don t. - 72gmc

but that was after the wife took her car to a "quick oil change" kinda place.

[Secret Squirrel]

Ever try Sand Paper?

I have found that sand paper works the best. Great for tight spots and really gives you a super grip!

[Jacfourteen]

I can usually get them by hand, but I have a giant pair of channellock pliers that I use to get them off if I can't. I even used a 24" pipe wrench once. Last resort is the screwdriver method.

[rsavage]

I have several. The "claw" type (3rd one pictured by Stocker) has been the best at removing tight filters for me. Socket end type slip, strap type have bent, and there are lots of applications where you are not going to get at a filter with big pliers or a screw driver. The claw type adjusts for use on smaller diameter filters and up to almost 4".

[vectorit]

Got this one at Napa to get the oil filter off my Harley. Works great for tight places.

For the burb... I went back to using my original canister/cartridge set up. No more spin on filter blues here.

[PanelDeland]

I haven't needed to YET but once saw a cool set up for hard to get filters.I didn't actually see it in action but the concept was there.The strap type wrench had holes drilled in either side of it.I asked and was told that for the tough ones he just put the wrench on and drove a punch threu from one side to the other ,giving the strap wrench much more gripping power.He claimed the strap kept the filter from collapsing and the punch gave it grip.

[Blue71LWB]

I have this one from Harbor freight http://www.harborfreight.com/univers...nch-99629.html

I also have the two arm style like Stocker posted above in post #14. The two arm stlye is spring loaded for 1 arm operation. The one from Harbor Freight works best with two hands.

[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.