I have a 2005 F350 Diesel 6.0 and I need some help with what tool dose everyone remove there filters with? I read it takes a 36MM socket. Is there a special tool I can purchase from Ford? I do not like to use channel locks on it!

 

It's all in the Tech Folder at the top of this section. Read and learn.

 

Check the "Lisle" tool rack at your parts store. They have a nice shallow 3/8" drive socket specially made for 6.0 filters.

 

Take this advice! The socket is apprx $7.00 at the parts store or on-line. Do NOT go to the dealership or to a tool store for the socket. You will pay too much and the "regular" socket from a tool store is not a low profile and will not fit in the space as well..

 

I use standard metric sockets (24 and 36mm) without any problem. What space are you talking about?

 

It is very awkward to operate my ratchet using it with a standard length socket (at the HFCM). The cross beam that bolts across the frame and to the back of the transmission is in the way using a regular length socket.

Most folks don't usually have 36 MM sockets so, if not, buy the cheap one.

Clearly any length socket will work fine on the filter under the hood.

 

The cross beam doesn't get in the way on mine...see pic below. The front drive shaft is a nuisance, though. No question the price of the Lisle tool is a good deal if you don't already have a metric socket set.

 

When i changed mine i bought a 36mm "axle" socket from the local auto parts store. I used a 1/2" drive ratchet but it was a PITA because the front axle shaft and tranny crossmember. I jacked up the front axle to give me a little bit more clearance but next time I do this I'm going to spend the $35 on a flex-headed ratchet, it would have made it very simple.

Btw I have an '05 and that could be why the crossmember was in the way on mine and not on a previous post.

 

Was there any problem removing the brain plug ? I am going to do this in the morning and this seems to be a little harder than I thought!

 

Moebdick -
You definitely have more room than I do. I wonder if this is an '04 vs '05 / '06 MY difference? Also, do you have a short bed or long bed?

From your picture, your frame rail and filter housing are a lot cleaner than mine!
If I kept mine that clean, I wouldn't have to put down the wax paper (advice from this forum) when changing filters. I did a couple of filter changes (I used to have an '05 and it was always very greasy) without putting anything along the frame rail and I always felt like I was getting dirt inside the filter housing when putting the new element in.

 

I didn't have any problem, it just takes an allen key. The diesel kinda gets everywhere so make sure you have a drain pan, but this was the easy part compared to the filter.

 

Short bed. I haven't seen under an '05 so maybe it is different, I don't know.

I am somewhat of a clean freak with my vehicles, but I'm a slob otherwise. Drives my wife crazy as she'd prefer it the other way round, obviously.

Drain plug's never been a problem for me. Everybody talks about taking diesel baths but I never spill a drop. I just use a plain hex wrench and catch the fluid in a modified Powerade bottle with the mouth enlarged. Here's a pic of the drain plug removal:


The Powerade bottle catches every drop. Same amount always drains every time, about 16 ounces. Not sure why some people get a flood.


After I get the filter cap loose with the standard 36mm socket (see previous post), I reach thru the cross members and take it out by hand. It's a little tight getting it between the fuel lines and the frame, but a little wiggling and it comes right out. I lay a rag in the frame to catch the small amount of fuel that spills out.


This filter has a little over 14k miles on it. Some brown staining but fairly clean, considering. I guess I've been fortunate to get good quality fuel.


Top filter is the easy part.



Top filter looks a lot dirtier, presumably because it's a smaller micron element.


Put in new filter elements, cycle the key on and off three times and it fires right up without a hiccup.

 

"Top filter is the easy part."


Definately not words spoken by an E Series van owner.

 

This will make it easy ! Everyone has been a big help.

 

36 MM short socket and a swivel headed ratchet & it's a piece of pie....