changing oil filter '98 5.7 4wd

[MrShorty]

I just have to ask if there's a better way. I just finished an oil change on the burb (3rd one I've done on it), and there's got to be a better way to get the oil filter off (that doesn't involve removing the front driveshaft or the exhaust pipe). On previous attempts, I used a traditional oil filter strap wrench to bread it loose, but it was always a pain. This time, the strap wrench just get it started, so I ended up using a pair of channel lock pliers. If I was a cussing man, I would have done a lot of that, too. Of course, putting the filter on isn't as big of a deal, because you don't need to tighten it real tight.

What do you use to get at that stupid oil filter?

[unplugged]

I spell it: M E C H A N I C
That way I don't have to bust a knuckle and hassle with the hazmat issue.
It is a tad lazy, but it would be bad enough to have the oil around the house, and I can't imagine dragging it to the local recycler. Maybe if I had one of those cool shop lifts with an oil drain container on wheels.

[Cableguy]

Yep farm it out. LOL Unless your doing some specific project, for $30 I let someone else crawl around under there too.

[ras]

i feel your pain I have had to change the oil on my moms 2002 seville sts several times and it pretty much takes an act of god to get the thing off. lol

[84fiero123]

I use a strap type wrench that has no handle, it has a place for a 3/8” ratchet or extension.

Works great an if need be you can even put a swivel in.

[MrShorty]

Is this the kind of thing, 84fiero? (Lisle 63500 in case the link fails) http://shoptoolsshoptools.com/shopexd.asp?id=154

[84fiero123]

Is this the kind of thing, 84fiero? (Lisle 63500 in case the link fails) http://shoptoolsshoptools.com/shopexd.asp?id=154

No mine is a metal band type clamp but that looks like it does the same thing.

I forget where I got mine, some of my tools are old and have been picked up over the years at everywhere from NAPA to Snap On, to Wally World.

Where ever and what ever does the job.

[84fiero123]

Here is the beauty that I have.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?cat=Mechanics+Tools&pid=00999057000&vertical=TOOL&subcat=Automotive+Specialty+Tools&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

Nice part about this one is it can be slipped all the way to the base of the oil filter and then get a good grip right up there were you need it. Then you can put as many extensions on it as you need to get down where you can use a ratchet.

Oh ya, that is the one I have, by KD tools.

[MrShorty]

And model 2029 fits smaller filters, though I would have to verify that it would be small enough for an ACDelco PF52 oil filter (anyone know off the top of their head how big around that filter is?).

[DeputyDave]

I have both filter wrenches described here plus a few more, besides using the strap one that attaches to a ratchet I have also had great success with a cap style, it fits on the base of the filter attach a ratchet an off it comes, and no cussing.

[DeputyDave]

Does anybody know off hand if they make an oversized filter for the 5.3?

[tbplus10]

Look at some of the industrial GM 5.3 applications. At work we have a fleet of Isuzu heavy duty trucks that use the GM 5.3, they all use larger oil filters than whats found on other GMs.

[MrShorty]

I have both filter wrenches described here plus a few more, besides using the strap one that attaches to a ratchet I have also had great success with a cap style, it fits on the base of the filter attach a ratchet an off it comes, and no cussing.

I haven't tried the cap kind, but from monkeying with them in the parts store, they didn't seem to have enough "grip" to really get a hold of the filters. What brand cap style are you using?

[DeputyDave]

Its either from Snap-on or Mac tools.............

[Rumpamuro]

I have the alot of the cap styles, but the thing that i hate about them is that wenever i do oil changes on my own or some ppl that are willing to pay the money, i use synthetic filters etc, and the cap is beautiful, but, when ppl cheap out, i usually gat the regular frams, and those have the grrip so the caps dont work good, strap wise i like the snap on one but the material one, one hting about those though is if i grab it first and the filter gets oily then the strap doesnt work as good. A pair of slip joints always does the trick as long as i know that i have the correct filter to replace it with (Y)

[MrShorty]

I appreciate the responses. I got under and looked at the filter on my '98. I don't know that a cap type filter wrench is really going to work. The way the filter is mounted, it's kind of transverse mounted, with the "cap" end of the filter directly above the front diff/frame. It would be real hard, I think, to get a ratchet onto that end of the filter.

Considering how well the channel locks did last time, I'm almost wondering if the best filter wrench would be one of those plier shaped ones. Something like this http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MfrCode=CSM&MfrPartNumber=19420&CategoryCode=3401A

[Rumpamuro]

if you know yourself that you have a replacement filter that is going to fit from experoience or what not, then why grap those pliers and spend money, grap a pair of slip joints that are lying around somewhere and twist the **** out of it :>

[DeputyDave]

I appreciate the responses. I got under and looked at the filter on my '98. I don't know that a cap type filter wrench is really going to work. The way the filter is mounted, it's kind of transverse mounted, with the "cap" end of the filter directly above the front diff/frame. It would be real hard, I think, to get a ratchet onto that end of the filter.

Considering how well the channel locks did last time, I'm almost wondering if the best filter wrench would be one of those plier shaped ones. Something like this http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MfrCode=CSM&MfrPartNumber=19420&CategoryCode=3401A

Ya I forgot about those mine are from Snap-on but the same idea they will also work when a filter is damaged.

[MrShorty]

Finally came around time for the next oil change. I went to wally world and got one of those slip joint plier filter wrenches to try. Worked ok. We will see how it goes next time (probably in the dead of winter when it's freezing in the garage), but I think I've got a tool for the job.

[Toymyster]

I don't see what the big deal is, I have always used a large pair of (16") channel locks!!

[MrShorty]

I don't have a pair of channel locks that big. The largest pair I have isn't quite big enough to get a hold of it just right. You're probably right, though. A large enough pair of channel locks would probably work just as well.

[Toymyster]

trust me, it works!! You can pick up a pair just about anywhere, Sears, Home Depot, Lowes... and they are worth their weight in gold!! 1001 uses around the car and the house!! I've been working on cars for about 20 years now, and they haven't failed me yet!!