Changing Oil Filter
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Middletown NJ
Changing Oil Filter
So apparently the oil filter is in a very easy to reach location just behind the driver's side fog light, or at least that is what I read. I am having quite a difficult time removing it though, because it is sitting right on top of my front differential, and I am having trouble getting my strap wrench around it. Anyone know what I should do, if I have to remove any other parts, or if I should just leave it on?
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Chesapeake, Va.
Do not just leave it on!
If you have to take an old leather belt and wrap it around the filter instead of a strap wrench, do it, it works. If you have to you could get extreme and drive a large, long screwdriver through it and unscrew it that way. These engines are very sensitive to old, over used oil. If you do not do regular oil and filter changes you will be buying an engine, sooner or later. Or sticking it to an unsuspecting buyer.
If you have to take an old leather belt and wrap it around the filter instead of a strap wrench, do it, it works. If you have to you could get extreme and drive a large, long screwdriver through it and unscrew it that way. These engines are very sensitive to old, over used oil. If you do not do regular oil and filter changes you will be buying an engine, sooner or later. Or sticking it to an unsuspecting buyer.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Middletown NJ
I have been afraid of doing the screw driver technique, what if I get the screw driver in, but it is stuck on so tight, that the screw driver technique doesnt work. Then not only do I have an old filter on there, but it has a hole in it. Is the screw driver technique 100% guarantee, or like 95% at least?
Edit - I just tried the leather belt suggestion, it was on the filter, I pulled on the end and tried twisting it with my hand. I kid you not when I say that I put over 100 pounds of force of the filter and it wouldn't come off. I heard some noises, but they werent the filter, I think it was the filter adapter. I am going to bring it over to a mechanic and have them deal with it. My mechanic was able to get it off in a matter of seconds last time I was there, but maybe it was tightened PROPERLY before he got to it
Edit - I just tried the leather belt suggestion, it was on the filter, I pulled on the end and tried twisting it with my hand. I kid you not when I say that I put over 100 pounds of force of the filter and it wouldn't come off. I heard some noises, but they werent the filter, I think it was the filter adapter. I am going to bring it over to a mechanic and have them deal with it. My mechanic was able to get it off in a matter of seconds last time I was there, but maybe it was tightened PROPERLY before he got to it
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 3
From: Chesapeake, Va.
I have been afraid of doing the screw driver technique, what if I get the screw driver in, but it is stuck on so tight, that the screw driver technique doesnt work. Then not only do I have an old filter on there, but it has a hole in it. Is the screw driver technique 100% guarantee, or like 95% at least?
Edit - I just tried the leather belt suggestion, it was on the filter, I pulled on the end and tried twisting it with my hand. I kid you not when I say that I put over 100 pounds of force of the filter and it wouldn't come off. I heard some noises, but they werent the filter, I think it was the filter adapter. I am going to bring it over to a mechanic and have them deal with it. My mechanic was able to get it off in a matter of seconds last time I was there, but maybe it was tightened PROPERLY before he got to it
Edit - I just tried the leather belt suggestion, it was on the filter, I pulled on the end and tried twisting it with my hand. I kid you not when I say that I put over 100 pounds of force of the filter and it wouldn't come off. I heard some noises, but they werent the filter, I think it was the filter adapter. I am going to bring it over to a mechanic and have them deal with it. My mechanic was able to get it off in a matter of seconds last time I was there, but maybe it was tightened PROPERLY before he got to it
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Middletown NJ
I have run into them where I had to remove the filter in about 10 or more pieces. Every step I had to get more animal like. The last step was using my 24" Channel Locks. It seems that some of the grease monkeys out there figure they'll never see this car/truck again so they'll just make it hard for the next guy to change the filter.
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Posting Guru
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you could jack that corner of the truck up it will drop the steering pieces out of you way a little bit
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Cuyahoga Falls, OH
also try turning the wheels all the way to the left (maybe right) and it will give you more space to get a tool on the end of the filter, I also like the 3 jaw tool. Another suggestion would be to just take to the oil change guys and make it their problem and act like you dont know anything about that stuck oil filter.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Middletown NJ
^I did lift the truck up enough to where the wheel had 1 inch of clearance off the ground after I couldn't initially get it, and the wheel wasn,t in the way, it was more of the following:
Tie Rod
Front Differential
Upper control arm
Between the differential and the filter was about a 1/4" of space, so while only being able to get one hand up there, it was hard to use the strap wrench. Also, there was only about 2" of space to turn the wrench, and with the rubber strap wrench I have, that isn't enough.
Tie Rod
Front Differential
Upper control arm
Between the differential and the filter was about a 1/4" of space, so while only being able to get one hand up there, it was hard to use the strap wrench. Also, there was only about 2" of space to turn the wrench, and with the rubber strap wrench I have, that isn't enough.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,584
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From: Chesapeake, Va.
also try turning the wheels all the way to the left (maybe right) and it will give you more space to get a tool on the end of the filter, I also like the 3 jaw tool. Another suggestion would be to just take to the oil change guys and make it their problem and act like you dont know anything about that stuck oil filter.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2008
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for all this hassel I'd take it to a ford dealership they usually have a competative price and they use quality parts plus they have a nice inspection that they go through so you can keep track of your brakes and tires etc...
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I just changed mine today using a strap wrench with a knuckle on the handle. I reached up through over the crossmember, below the radiator, put the wrench on the filter, and put the handle in a position I could get some leverage on it. Worked out great!
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2007
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10-4, a cap wrench with a 3/8" ratchet is perfect. Does the OP have skid plates? If so, remove the skid plates (6 bolts (10 mm socket)). Helps you position the cap wrench and keep gentle pressure on the filter with your left hand (I think) while you use the right hand to turn the filter with the 3/8" ratchet on the cap wrench. Works every time.