cvdloc Posted July 4, 2013 Share Posted July 4, 2013 http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag52/cvdloc/image_zps3ff367b8.jpg So I decided to do my oil and oil filter today but, even with 2 different oil wrenches I couldn't get it off for the life of me, so I thought to myself, what can I do... Wafer screws! Upload your custom tools for the job! Even though mine isn't extreme, It worked in the first minute of adding the screws! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahardb0dy Posted July 4, 2013 Share Posted July 4, 2013 When I had the JDM engine installed I had my mechanic leave the Japanese filter on until I could make sure there were no leaks. After I found there were no leaks I changed the oil, I couldn't get the oil filter off with any of the tools I had, I ended up having to put a strip of rubber inside the filter wrench, (like the one you have), and had to put a pipe on the handle to get the filter to move !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cvdloc Posted July 4, 2013 Author Share Posted July 4, 2013 They are in such a bad spot too! Blocked in by the starter and alternator you can't really get at it, I tucked myself inside the wheel well. And really I maybe moved it a quarter turn (at the most) and it came off by hand after. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingman Posted July 4, 2013 Share Posted July 4, 2013 If you can't get enough grip on a filter or its way too tight and don't have a filter wrench, take a hose clamp and clamp it tight. Screwdriver on the end and hit it with a hammer. Works great. I've made a few tools for stuff, BMW fan play holder tool, oil filter adapted tightening tool, can tool, and something else. I would upload pics but they were in my toolbox that was stolen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devonianwalk Posted July 4, 2013 Share Posted July 4, 2013 Stab a screwdriver through the side and muscle it! I've did that twice before purchasing a proper wrench. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cvdloc Posted July 4, 2013 Author Share Posted July 4, 2013 I think the saying 'there is more than one way to skin a cat' can be used here lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverPath Posted July 4, 2013 Share Posted July 4, 2013 (edited) I have stuck a screwdriver through the side and when I went to turn it it literally tore the damn filter in half while the threaded portion did not move. I think the PO put 'er on a little tight Edited July 4, 2013 by SilverPath Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted July 4, 2013 Share Posted July 4, 2013 The most custom thing I've used was a piece of rubber hose and a plastic root beer bottle with the bottom cut off as a funnel. A while back I took an old electric toothbrush, cut the bristles off, and glued a piece of sandpaper to it... not the best tool ever but it was pretty good for model work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahardb0dy Posted July 4, 2013 Share Posted July 4, 2013 I once used the hole in the blade of my Spyderco knife as a washer to pull a stud back into place on my friends K5 blazer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Precise1 Posted July 4, 2013 Share Posted July 4, 2013 Drilled a hole in a penny to use as an emergency washer for a bolt that was just a tiny bit too long, have a 13mm wrench bent at 90 degrees which is for getting at the rear starter bolt in aircooled Bugs but not too much else. I'm a machinist with 2.5, 5-6' tall roll around boxes so I have a pretty good selection which generally precludes custom tool making. Kind of funnyy actually, as I've made countless tools in the course of my employment. B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RF600 Posted July 13, 2013 Share Posted July 13, 2013 I keep a variety of end wrenches to use as special tools. They are not my normal wrenches. If one needs to be cut, bent or whatever no big deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harbinger Posted August 10, 2013 Share Posted August 10, 2013 I ended up buying a metal oil filter wrench that fits onto a 3/8ths ratchet. The tighter you press on the ratchet, the more the wrench arms bite into the filter. Bought it when I got tired of the screwdriver trick on my previous vw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cvdloc Posted August 10, 2013 Author Share Posted August 10, 2013 /> I ended up buying a metal oil filter wrench that fits onto a 3/8ths ratchet. The tighter you press on the ratchet, the more the wrench arms bite into the filter. Bought it when I got tired of the screwdriver trick on my previous vw. How do you find it to work? They didn't have the right size for me when I needed one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harbinger Posted August 10, 2013 Share Posted August 10, 2013 I haven't met a filter it couldn't remove, but oil changes aren't something I do too often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingman Posted August 10, 2013 Share Posted August 10, 2013 I use a stout hose clamp to tighten around an oil filter then tap the screwdriver or nut driver with a hammer to spin the stuck ones off. Works well so long as there's enough room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vagabond Posted August 11, 2013 Share Posted August 11, 2013 I do all my own oil changes, so they come off easy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingman Posted August 11, 2013 Share Posted August 11, 2013 Didn't realize I already posted in this thread! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cvdloc Posted August 11, 2013 Author Share Posted August 11, 2013 /> Didn't realize I already posted in this thread! Hahah would this count as a double post? Lol I don't know about my luck but every first oil change I have done has been a pain, damn po's, usually I can just take them off by hand, it's tough but eat some spinach and your good hahah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo94 Posted August 11, 2013 Share Posted August 11, 2013 Hahah would this count as a double post? Lol I don't know about my luck but every first oil change I have done has been a pain, damn po's, usually I can just take them off by hand, it's tough but eat some spinach and your good hahah Tbh I think that the strap type filter wrench is the best tool/method to remove a oil filter. If you have a really stuck filter sometimes stabbing a screw driver in it and turning it is a bad idea because you run the risk of destroying the whole filter and making it even more of a nightmare, whereas with the strap wrench it grips around the whole filter and it works much better than the standard type of filter wrench as you can easily use it for tight spaces. You can use socket extensions and swivel joints and what not on them. The 3 jaw filter tool doesn't really work great for filters that are really stuck on either. All this is based on my first filter change on my 89 terrano which had a nissan filter which I can only assume that its last filter change was in japan, I have tried all the filter tools mention in my post and found the strap type to be the most helpful of them all. If you are on the market for a filter tool I would recommend a strap type filter wrench as they are generally cheap and have the most surface are contact on the filter hence an easier removal. I have included some pictures for those that do not know what type of wrenches I am talking about and the second picture shows where the screw driver method can go wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cvdloc Posted August 11, 2013 Author Share Posted August 11, 2013 Yeah I think someone had their filter break on them... /> I have stuck a screwdriver through the side and when I went to turn it it literally tore the damn filter in half while the threaded portion did not move. I think the PO put 'er on a little tight Lol but I never consider straps? Hmm I guess the saying there is more than one way to skin a cat can be used here. I like the wrench method and how you can just add extension bits, because we all know where the oil filter is located on the nissan engines.. Damn Japanese and their fancy designs Ill repost my picture since I didn't imagize it last time. The only down fall is leaky oil, now there is a couple oil spots where I park lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Precise1 Posted August 11, 2013 Share Posted August 11, 2013 I ended up buying a metal oil filter wrench that fits onto a 3/8ths ratchet. The tighter you press on the ratchet, the more the wrench arms bite into the filter. Bought it when I got tired of the screwdriver trick on my previous vw. Ahh, yes, I have one of those somewhere as well. It is a but limited in it's size capacity though. This seems to be a better one... http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/WESTWARD-Oil-Filter-Wrench-1EKJ5?Pid=search You could even drill a hole in each foot for spikes like ^his idea. B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RF600 Posted August 11, 2013 Share Posted August 11, 2013 I ended up buying a metal oil filter wrench that fits onto a 3/8ths ratchet. The tighter you press on the ratchet, the more the wrench arms bite into the filter. Bought it when I got tired of the screwdriver trick on my previous vw. I broke one of those. It was a cheap auto parts store one. I put an oil filter relocation on. Much easier to get at. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 Had to pull the fan on my friend's Astro this weekend, and found that a special tool was needed to hold the water pump still. I didn't have the special tool but an aluminum clipboard with a 1/2" hole drilled near the bottom edge fit right over one of the pulley bolts, braced on another one, and was thin enough for us to get a pipe wrench in there and unscrew the fan. Best part was, when it was time to put the fan back on, we just turned the clipboard over and braced the pulley the other way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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