Sometimes engine oil, transmission or fuel filters resist removal. As the frustration level rises, there is a succession of alternate tools to try:
Big slip-jaw pliers. Maybe as large as 16” or 20” slip-jaws. If the jaws on conventional slip-jaws are too thick to fit between the filter and the side of an engine block or transmission case, there are special slip-jaw-type filter wrenches with thin jaws that fit into narrow spaces. Yes, they can cost $60 or more, but you’ll have them the next time you’re fighting an over-tight filter.
A length of old roller chain and a big Phillips screwdriver. Wrap the chain around the filter, stick the screwdriver through the links and pry to tighten the chain. You can buy a fancy set of Vise-Grips with a built-in roller chain, or special breaker-bar-with-roller chain, but the home-made version works pretty good in a pinch.
Drive a long punch through the filter and pry it off. It’s less messy if you first punch or drill a small hole in the bottom to drain the filter. Drive the punch through the filter close to the base of the filter to apply leverage close to the threads, but be careful not to go through dead center in case there’s a filter screen or housing protruding out of the center of the filter mounting base.
Cold chisel with a hammer or a pneumatic air hammer. Carefully rotate the base ring of the filter by catching an edge with the chisel and then tapping/driving around the circumference of the filter. I confess I have used a die grinder with a cutoff wheel/carbide tip to surgically cut through the threads at the base of a filter, and then peeled away the filter’s threaded base. It’s touchy work that requires a soft touch, to keep from damaging the filter base’s threads, but…you do what you have to do when nothing else works.
Once the filter is off and a new filter is being installed: Note that almost every screw-on filter has printed on its housing, “Tighten until seal contacts base, then ½-turn more.” Those are words to the wise.
Read More from Dan:
Dan Anderson: A Guide to the Brushes I Have Known
You Are Impressive: An Ode to the Farmer-Mechanic
The Usual Suspects: 5 Planter Parts to Inspect Now
Portable P.S.I.: Fill Big Tires on the Go
All Jammed Up: What to Know about Jam Nuts Versus Standard Nuts
