Got oil+filter, what filter wrench to get?

[turtl631]

I'm changing the oil in my S14 (110K miles) for the first time soon, just got it recently. Its been on 5w30 mineral oil so I'm switching it to 0W40 Mobil 1 via the PalmerWMD Mobil 1 ATF technique. I got an OE filter but I need a filter wrench..do I have to get a specific one? This is my first car, sorry for the noobish question... no one in my family changes their own oil so I'm on my own here. Thanks!

[navysnail]

get the pliers kind, the band kind takes too much room to "grip". i got the one at napa, its good, and it is adjustable so it can fit different sizes

[nab911]

Aww... be a man and grab a clotch and twist it with your hand. Unless it has the facotry filter you shoulnt have a problem. And if you DO have hte factory filter I think you have bigger problems.

[ricebike]

hmm, i agree w/ nab... u don't really need a filter wrench unless the guy who did it b4 u had overtightened it/didn't put lil oil on the rubber gasket...

just taught my lil bro on how easy it is to change the oil/filter on his DSM... kicking himself for letting Jiffy Lube do it for $30 the previous time; they put in a new drain plug since they have stripped the old one <the head of the bolt-whew> plus they overtorqued the filter; had a good rubber strap/plastic-handled wrench that worked great.

[LiU]

be a man and use your hand.. if you can't get it of wait itl you driver here I'll show you a real man's muscles hahaha... um.. why is the factory filter a problem?

[240dreamer]

some channel lock pliers work great...adjustable to different sizes, worked great everytime i've used them...good luck!

-Adam

[180fan]

yeah i hate those spiral kinda shaped ones that are springy. pain in the butt to get around the filter and what not. Crappy design. There's a craftsman one that clamps down on the filter for about 7 bucks when i was there last time. Works damn sweet.

[240sxGT]

I would agree with ricebike, it shouldn't be so tight you need a wrench, and it helps a lot to put a little oil on the seal all the way around before the install.

[ricebike]

plus, <this is overkill> but I "presoak" the paper element by dumpin ~1/4 quart into the oil filter, set that aside, then proceed to take off the old filter/drain the oil...

ha, talk about anal; but i love giving my car the TLC it deserves...

[gumby]

ive got the giant channel locks for removal. always installed em by hand no issues just keep the oil off it grip and turn with all your might.

[turtl631]

use your hand.. man muscle ... um..

jeez yuda, we're talkin about oil filters here... Anyways, I got a wrench just in case, not the band type, hopefully the filter isn't torque on there too tight. I'll prolly change it this weekend. I hope my seals don't leak (fingers crossed)

[WAbernethy]

Personally, I use the kind that's like a big *** plastic socket. Usually, I just slip it on and twist it by hand because it gives you more to grip and turn, but when it is stubborn, all you have to do is break out the 3/8 ratchet.

[96_S14_SE]

I bought two filter wrenches for use at work off of the truck.

Channel lock adjustable wrench.

http://www.channellock.com/acb...ID=26

Lisle spring loaded 3/8 drive wrench.

http://www.lislecorp.com/tool_...=1051

I used to use the channel lock one on my car untill I got the lisle one. The channel lock one is nice but sometimes you just cant get a good grip or any decent roration due to the filter location. I solely use the lisle one now and its a breeze.

I also use a medium size pipe wrench at work, or the shadetree punch and hammer, for the large (6"-7" round ) hydro filters I can barely grip