Can anyone suggest me a good oil filter wrench?

[greenwar]

Guys, I have a hardtime taking out the oil filter off of my cars. Every few months I get a new(used) car that has those stupid cheap oil filters and I have to fight with those to get 'em loose.

Please suggest me a good oil filter wrench that will make my life a little easier!

[elwesso]

Whenever I get a Q and it has an oil filter that wont come off, i just stab it with a screwdriver and get it out that way.

Ive tried so many different oil filter wrenches and Ive found the easiest way for me to do it is to just use my hand.

The FSM suggests tightening 3/4 turn from initial engagement. I can do that with my hand easily. I can also get it off fairly easily with my hand, much easier than with a wrench. No problems with leaks and ive done it this way the last 2 or 3 times.

[xerexabante]

go to matco and get one, looks like a giant pliers.

[cccpman]

I second what wes said, get a fatter/longer screwdriver if you can, the casing is strong enough it will survive the torque and not tear in half (unless of course for some reason you want to keep the filter lol!)

[bigjimmy]

I use my hands with one of those round rubber grippers used for opening jars I stole from the kitchen.

[Skibane]

The filter sockets that snap on to a 3/8" ratchet or breaker bar seem to work best for me. Take a fresh filter for your vehicle to Auto Zone, and match it up with the correct filter socket.

Then again, I only use filters (such as M1) that are keyed to accept a socket...

[DrewQ45]

The filter sockets that snap on to a 3/8" ratchet or breaker bar seem to work best for me. Take a fresh filter for your vehicle to Auto Zone, and match it up with the correct filter socket.

Then again, I only use filters (such as M1) that are keyed to accept a socket...

I have a craftsman filter puller. It snaps onto a rachet too but is adjustable to fit the size of the filter. Anyway, nowadays I only use K&N oil filters. It has a 1" nut on the end of the filter for easy pullin!

[Jesda]

Stab and twist. Pretend the oil filter is your ex wife.

[cccpman]

didn't the engineers put that filter in the worst spot ever... god damn

[DrewQ45]

didn't the engineers put that filter in the worst spot ever... god damn

Yeah, and don't talk about the spark plugs or alternator. Everything is difficult on this car. I believe this was the beginning of the period where dealers consciously made maintenance harder for the DIY'er. We all know why of course... to drum up business at dealership.

[elwesso]

The way I see it, is given the amount of engine compartment space, i dont see how else much could be different. Sure they could put the alternator on top, but it woudlnt make the engine look as pretty. Getting at the oil filter from underneath isnt terrible either, IMO.

Maybe im just trying to justify my suffering!

[greenwar]

Wowy talk about a helpful forum.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys - much appreciated. I will try to stab and twist approach now. Hopefully I wont be changing cars in a while

[cccpman]

If the stab does not work on the first couple tries get a small screwdriver to make a starter hole so you dont bend things up or then it will be a real pita

good luck man

[greenwar]

Update: stabbing the filter worked out great. Used a hammer to stab it into the filter and then just twist and turn. Sucker came out leaking oil all over.

[elwesso]

Glad it worked. Sometimes the brute force approach is the best way to go.