Oil filter removal tool - simply the best.

So, I’m sure all of you who do work on your own truck have dealt with this at some point... but today a 20 minute oil change turned into 3 hours of cussing and a major pain in the ass due to a oil filter stuck on the housing.

Normally, I tighten it down by hand and never have an issue getting it off with a standard filter wrench every 5k miles when I’m due. Today was much different as not a single filter wrench, strap, or even a screwdriver did the trick... proof of the carnage below.

I never tighten beyond spec or use any tool to tighten down past what my right hand can do, so not really sure how it was so stuck on this round, but only one tool was an immediate and fast fix: the badass tool pictured below that clamps around the filter at three points with rubber lined claws and only gets tighter as you torque counter clockwise (loosens going clockwise).

Doubt I’m the first person to use this $8 tool from Harbor Freight, but it’s seriously the only one you’ll ever need in regards to removing Toyota filters, thought I’d share it for some newbies (and vets) who may run into this issue from time to time. Even after destroying the filter from the other attempted methods, it STILL took it off in under 10 seconds with ease!

 

i just tighten with 2 hands. Did you get your oil changed at a shop?

 

nope, always done by me - that’s why I said I was so surprised because I only use my hands and don’t over tighten

 

I just did my oil change and the dealer made the filter really tight too. I used a claw tool like yours too. I always spin it hand right and use a tool to tighten once only.

 

I remember having an oil filter stuck years ago. Tried just about everything, even stabbing a screwdriver through it. Eventually bought a similar tool and never struggled with a filter since.

 

I stabbed that thing like a prison inmate and even drilled into it. It simply laughed at me lol

 

That’s too funny. Yes it’s a pain in the ass when it doesn’t want to come off “friendly Like”.

 

Once did the screwdriver trick only to rip the filter...stuck a 2nd screwdriver through at 90* and that did the trick.

 

Did you put a little fresh oil on the mating surfaces? Also, when you tightened it did you back off a scosh?

 

yup, always fresh oil on the seal.


I’m waiting for someone to crack a joke about why my right hand is so strong it glues oil filters to the housing..

lol

 

Got on of those filter wrench, works great

 

When I tighten the traditional oil filters I baaaarley tighten them. Tighten till the surfaces meet and just a scosche beyond when I feel resistance. Never an issue

 

yup, I’ll be doing that next time for sure. I was a bit past was you described. Not crazy right, but apparently still too much lol

 

With enough preload on that oring, she ain't goin no where

 

Does not look like a 3 gen filter.

 

2.7

 

With so many heat/cool cycles oil filters will just tighten over time no matter how un-tight you tighten them unfortunately. Those three-pronged tools are a godsend though.

 

I wouldn't use both hands and muscle it on. I put a little oil on the seal and spin it up flat then snug it up with one hand. Maybe a touch past snug, but I'm not sure if it's even a quarter of a turn.

I can usually get it off with my hand, but it's pretty hard to do that way.