Hello, I recently bought a 97 Land Cruiser that had been sitting for a while and was trying to do a new oil change on it. I got the old oil out and was trying to get the filter off and it absolutely will not move. I’ve tried every kind of filter wrench and already tried putting a screwdriver through it. It just feels like there isnt any room to get any torque. Any help is appreciated!
Stuck Oil Filter
- Thread starter nbarnette212
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
If you have a Harbor Freight nearby these have worked for me for a stuck filter reaching up from under the truck.
The funny thing is I do my oil changes and only tighten the filter by hand.
When it comes to getting it off it is a different story. I need tools and I got several to do the job since the space is very tight there.
I've used this one a lot.
You can probably get it from different retailers.
2545 - Heavy Duty Swivel Type Oil Filter Wrench - 75-95mm - https://ctatools.com/products/2545
When it comes to getting it off it is a different story. I need tools and I got several to do the job since the space is very tight there.
I've used this one a lot.
You can probably get it from different retailers.
2545 - Heavy Duty Swivel Type Oil Filter Wrench - 75-95mm - https://ctatools.com/products/2545
Long handle flex head ratchet with a cap wrench or a three jaw oil filter wrench have been my go to. Short extension and work around the wiring
I've been using one of these for a while. Kind of a PITA to get it locked on and started, but once it grabs, the filter is coming off.
gearwrenchshop.com
Gearwrench 3288D 3/8" Drive Universal 3 Jaw Oil Filter Wrench
Gearwrench 3288D Description The Gearwrench 3/8" Drive Universal 3 Jaw Oil Filter Wrench is a durable and versatile tool designed for removing spin-on type oil filters from passenger cars and light-duty trucks. Gearwrench 3288D Includes (1) 3/8" Drive Universal 3 Jaw Oil Filter Wrench Gearwrench...
gearwrenchshop.com
Multiple different tools can work but IMHO/IME no matter which tool you use, a tight fit and more LEVERAGE are the key factors.
Example (working from above): get a 18 + inch long regular or ratcheting breaker bar to use in conjunction with a tight fitting (correct size) cap-style oil filter wrench. I first disconnect the high tension wire running to the coil to get it out of the way. Stuff a ton of paper towels tightly under the filter and up against the block to catch drippage.
If working from below, any tool that grips the filter well circumferentially and which allows you to use your body weight ie: grab the handle from under the vehicle and pull down while rising up with your body so you're using both your own strength and your body weight.
I've pulled stuck filters off using just my hand but key there is having a totally squeaky clean hand and filter, reach up from below, wrap your fingers and palm around the top of the filter monkey grip style from the front facing side (palm on top, thumb and fingers wrapped over and around the top of the filter down the other side) and just raise up and pull down (counterclockwise of course). Depending on your body weight you've got at least a couple hundred pounds of force (working) on loosening the filter. Be careful when trying that method if there are sharp edges from sticking a screw driver through the filter.
FWIW
Example (working from above): get a 18 + inch long regular or ratcheting breaker bar to use in conjunction with a tight fitting (correct size) cap-style oil filter wrench. I first disconnect the high tension wire running to the coil to get it out of the way. Stuff a ton of paper towels tightly under the filter and up against the block to catch drippage.
If working from below, any tool that grips the filter well circumferentially and which allows you to use your body weight ie: grab the handle from under the vehicle and pull down while rising up with your body so you're using both your own strength and your body weight.
I've pulled stuck filters off using just my hand but key there is having a totally squeaky clean hand and filter, reach up from below, wrap your fingers and palm around the top of the filter monkey grip style from the front facing side (palm on top, thumb and fingers wrapped over and around the top of the filter down the other side) and just raise up and pull down (counterclockwise of course). Depending on your body weight you've got at least a couple hundred pounds of force (working) on loosening the filter. Be careful when trying that method if there are sharp edges from sticking a screw driver through the filter.
FWIW
Last edited:
And something that grips tighter the more you turn it.
I usually just use my hand, but there's been times with a new to me vehicle I've resorted to punching a screw driver through it, and it's just torn it open like s sardine can, then it's even harder to get off
I made one like this using an old strap, as you turn to the left it tightens and will get the filter off
it will also squash the filter in the process but that doesnt matter
even works on stubborn jar lids!
it will also squash the filter in the process but that doesnt matter
even works on stubborn jar lids!
LEFT hand is the key. Gotta be able to get the fingers wrapping over each other just right. I suppose it helps being left handed and built like a sasquatch, but I don't have any experience being otherwise.
When I first bought my 80, I went to do an oil change and I’m convinced the guy before me put it on with an impact.
1. Get a hose clamp big enough to go around the oil filter.
2. Position it as close to the block as you can, with the screw head facing towards the ground at the 3oclock position. Tighten as much as possible.
3. Lay on the ground under the oil filter with a hammer and a rod long enough to reach the hose clamp, and strike the screw so that it turns counterclockwise.
4. If the screw head reaches 12 o’clock, loosen and reposition.
5. Install the new filter hand tight only.
1. Get a hose clamp big enough to go around the oil filter.
2. Position it as close to the block as you can, with the screw head facing towards the ground at the 3oclock position. Tighten as much as possible.
3. Lay on the ground under the oil filter with a hammer and a rod long enough to reach the hose clamp, and strike the screw so that it turns counterclockwise.
4. If the screw head reaches 12 o’clock, loosen and reposition.
5. Install the new filter hand tight only.
Chances are that since you have already tried the screwdriver approach that the filter housing has probably lost what little structure and strength it had. If that has happened then most of the suggestions above will likely not work. The tool that @Dragos80 showed is likely your best bet if you can get it secured on the mating lip of the filter which is the strongest part of the filter.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Put some heat at the base of you can. Careful a few wires around it. Let it cool warm to touch. Try screw driver again. Screw driver has always worked. A thick stem one.
Just drill a hole in that cup and sink a self tapper in the filter. It won’t slip any more.
Came to say this I keep a piece handy just for oil filters. On my last one I even got some tape backed sand paper and wrapped the filter with it. Plenty of grip to loosen by hand
It's been my experience that the sheet metal oil filter wrenches that are sold at auto parts stores don't have the greatest fit when mated to a oil filter. My advice is to spend the money and buy a professional grade tool, yes it may cost a few bucks more, but they work. The one in the photo's below is what i use on my Tacoma, it's double the depth of a sheet metal wrench so you get good engagement on the oil filter flats, plus it doesn't want to cam off of the filter when turning it.
