Oil filter wrench

Mike, some say this wrench doesn't fit. Can you comment on this?

 

It fits. I've changed the filter on my own car with it. It's the same wrench that I see in the tool box of the technicians in my dealer's service department.

 

As mentioned in the other thread, I use this on our 2010 Prius. I did try out the Assenmacher but this works equally well:


Craftsman Adjustable Wrench for Oil Changes - Automotive - Filters - Oil Filter


It will grab the flanges. The harder you turn the tighter the claws grab.

 

I have another suggestion along the same lines: I glued a short section of rubber cut from bicycle inner tube on the inside of a metal strap oil filter wrench to prevent slippage . The wrench pictured below is used on my 1996 Miata as our Prius is still under warrantee and I am having the dealer change the oil.
Agree the rubber strap type of oil filter wrench is useless, but giving a metal strap oil filter wrench more grip worked for me.
Could anybody post a pic of that fancy Snapon wrench so I know what to look for if this does not work on the Prius?

Thanks!

 

Here's one direct link to the Honda socket, 64 mm, 14 face, that I mentioned in post #5. Amazon also has it, but I'm having trouble with the link. Again, the Honda part no is:

07AAA-PLCA100

It's a perfect fit with either Honda disposable steel filters or the 3rd Gen Toyota Prius reusable casing (and Toyota steel filters?), and does not extend down beyond the 14 face zone:


Oil Filter Wrench - Bernardi Parts


Looks like this:

 

Already did: http://priuschat.com/threads/oil-filter-wrench.141085/#post-2015767.

Snap-On's web site (Snap-on) shows the wrench as part of a 3-piece kit for around $100, which is kind of pricy. The mechanic implied I could get just the wrench for the Prius, but maybe not. But what's on the picture and web site looks just like the tool the mechanic showed me, right after he successfully got that over-torqued-by-idiot-dealer-mechanic oil cover off the car.

KBeck.

 

I have a follow-up question that doesn't warrant a new thread. I have one of those 65 mm oil wrenches (left over from subaru or mazda, forgot which). Do I need to release the retaining clip before turning the filter? This will be my first oil change in prius @ 50,000 miles (the previous ones done by dealership that is).

 

Yes: but I will admit mine is kind of bent after 5 or six changes.

Kbeck

 

65mm might be a bit loose. Mine (Honda) measures just about spot-on 64.0 mm, is a snug fit.

The clip does nothing much. I've backed the filter off about 8 times now, can't recall it ever getting in the way, impeding anything.

Also, someone up the page mentioned you just have to torque the housing enough to prevent oil leaks. In fact, as soon as you've got the housing a decent distance in, the O-ring on the barrel is doing the sealing. The torquing is only to lock the housing, prevent it from coming loose.

 

The Assenmacher wrench has served me well for 5 years. Easy on, easy off. Does not get stuck on the plastic oil filter cover and you can torque it to proper specs which is something you can't do with a band wrench.

 

Torque? I have to use a 15/16 box wrench to work my filter tool because of how snug the filter housing is. Socket + drive is too short and goes out too far to correctly apply leverage on the tool.

If that sucker ever came loose on its own, I'd suspect foul play.

 

A 15/16 socket and a short extension with my ratchet and finally the torque wrench works for me. Never had a problem with leverage.

 

Be nice if they had a 3/8" socket drive on it.

 

Thanks, I was incorrect, the tool I had was 64mm, it was purchased for corolla long time ago and I forgot. The fit was good, but the filter was so over-torqued, the tool (sadly made from plastic) would skip and not turn the filter housing. The locking spring did not seem to block it.

So, I changed oil without changing the filter. First time in my life. I had some stuck oil filters in the past, but the old style filters could be dealt with with a screw driver hammered through them. Not this new fangled piece of plastic placed in the hard to access area. Stupid design in otherwise well designed car.

I'll buy a metal tool with the extra slots at the base (OEM-style). Next time, I'll try unscrewing the filter first before draining oil.

 

Once you bust it loose you should have no further problems, as long as you only torque to 18 ft/lb. Very frustrating what some idiots at the dealership are doing. I was the first to remove ours after the factory install, and I recall the effort was about the same as subsequent removals, after I've torqued it to 18.

I wonder too: resort to some sort of band clamping tool, if it's possible with the stiffeners? What I'd do sometimes with those is wet the inside of the band and put a little pumice (fine grit), to really bite.

Maybe pick up an extra filter housing, in advance?

 

I just bought this aluminum wrench for prius and received it today:


from ebay: Aluminum Oil Filter Cup Wrench Tool 64 5mm 14 Flute Fits Toyota Lexus USA Ships | eBay
paid about $10 (not sure why it shows $99 now).

Anyhow, it has a sticker saying
"DO NOT use the torque wrench when removing oil filter."

what the hell is this supposed to mean? and why?

 

Sounds kind of stupid, huh?

You NEVER use a torque wrench to REMOVE a fastener. It's used to tighten them.

 

The one I have came with instructions that said to not use the 3/8" hole to remove the filter housing, but to use a wrench or socket on the outside hex for removal. It said to use the torque wrench to install the housing.

 

i guess i'm retarded then, but i'll ask, why not? mine has a switch to ratchet both ways.

that kind of makes sense. they are afraid the 3/8 hole will crack when dealing with overtightened filters (=mine). I'm glad I asked.

 

"The reverse "left hand" function of the torque wrench is NOT for loosening.

Some early car lug nuts (Chrysler Products is an example) and some bolts have "LEFT HAND" counterclockwise threads that tighten in that direction."

OK, fair enough. what happens if I use the torque wrench just like a breaker bar. Will it destroy the wrench calibration or something?