Oil filter wrench

[Witofthestaircase]

Hi everyone Is there a chance that someone can help me with the following as I live a bit of a distance from my garage and want to buy an ideal oil filter wrench before my next visit. What has been found to be the best tool for removing a canister type oil filter. I'm instinctively drawn to the socket variety over the three legged or strap/chain variety. Are my instincts correct? And, if so, what size please? Thanks, Russell

[hatman]

What has been found to be the best tool for removing a canister type oil filter.

A screwdriver jammed straight through the middle of it.

[Witofthestaircase]

Thanks hatman I deliberately left that off the menu!

[types26/36]

[quote="hatman"A screwdriver jammed straight through the middle of it. [/quote]

That works but its a bit messy.
I have one with a chain, simlar to this one and its the best type I have ever used.

[Craig Elliott]

Hmm... the screwdriver tip works well until the screwdriver tears it's way through the filter leaving a jagged stump...

I just use one that pulls tight around the canister - although it can be a bit of a pain to use because of the limited access to the filter between the engine and the chassis so I guess the socket one may be best. Not sure what size though - the spare filter I have is roughly 75mm diameter.

Having just seen the piccie in the post above, that's the type to go for!

C

[mac5777]

Hi Russell,

I just changed my filter and had to find something to grip the oily filter.
Here is what I had in the tool box. The chain type was too big and would not fit, it was for other type jobs. the plastic strap just slipped on the oily canister. The square twist type was the best, much like Brian's socket chain type
As it turned out the Fram sure-Grip filter has a rubberized rough texture that allowed me to use my oily hands to remove and replace without having to attach any tool. Not sure if Fram is the best?? But it was easy to just reach up and turn. With it's rubber gasket it was secured.
Sarto

[john.p.clegg]

I much prefer the three legged variety fitted to my 1/2" wrench,you can attack this from beneath easily..

John

[Witofthestaircase]

Thanks for the input. On balance I think I'm mostly impressed by the 14 facet socket approach. Craig says the size is around 75mm. There seems to be a choice of 74 and 76mm listed on Ebay so unless someone's done it already, I'm going to hold off now and get a vernier caliper onto my new filter to determine which. It seems that it will be worth reporting on where I get to finally. I'm probably not alone in wanting to be able to do this job without getting too messy!

[summerinmaine]

Not sure what the big problem is?

Most any filter wrench seems to work fine for me.

[Witofthestaircase]

No big problem chum. I just invited some advice in choosing a tool. I'm not bothered if you're not

[summerinmaine]

No big problem chum. I just invited some advice in choosing a tool. I'm not bothered if you're not

Sorry. Should have used a smilie; but I thought the humor was self-evident.

No worries.

BTW I use a metal strap-type wrench onto which I've glued some very coarse grit sandpaper.

[cabc26b]

K&N make filters with a lug incorporated into to the top of the filter. The gold series include a drilling for safety wire.

You just grab a wrench out of the tool box to work them. I suppose you could even put them on with a torque wrench if you wanted to.

[Allison]

Russell,
bit late to respond - apologies. I have a chain type as pictured but it won't fit between the engine and the filter (and it can get messy). Some time ago I bought a similar item but made of strapping (same as they use to strap down the tarpaulins on the sides of lorries or to tie cars (not Loti!) onto trailers). It has a short 1/2" drive extension onto a socket and the strapping goes round in a circle (same as the chain) but overlaps in the forks at the other end of the extension. This works a treat and fits in the space available - just I have no idea where I acquired it!
Peter

[summerinmaine]

BTW here are the wrenches I use:

The "all-strap" wrench is one I've had for years, but found it was too small to fit the oil filter in my Jeep. So I got the chain/strap version, which fits a much wider range. With each one, there's a right and wrong way to fit it on the filter. It will be obvious when it's wrong, as you won't generate any clamping force when you use the handle to turn the wrench.

[Elan45]

Russell,

Go to your auto parts store to pick up the filter you normally would use on the Elan. While there, buy a socket type filter tool that actually fits the filter you have in your hand. I have several band type and at least 3 very similar socket type filter tools. Only one fits the Lotus, another looks the same but fits my AE86 Corolla. Don't take a chance buying something on Ebay, because there's a good chance it wont fit.

Roger