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I just changed my gf's 2002 5gen oil yesterday and it was a pain in the ass. This is the third time that it took me forever to get the damn filter off. The first time I had to ask my friend to borrow this big clamp with huge teeth on it to turn the filter (for those who own a 5gen, you would know that the oil filter sits in a very cramped space) so we used that to turn the oil filter. Well this time, I thought I would use this universal oil filter wrench I bought from Kragen's to do the same thing and twist the oil filter but there was no luck. The wrench simply did not want to cooperate and was bending when I tried to turn the wrench. Wasted 13 bucks on that wrench....
Later on, I decided to take off the front right wheel and the fender lining to get to the oil filter from the side. I hammered a screwdriver into the oil filter to twist the filter off. Entire oil changing process took three damn hours.
I was thinking about getting a fitted "cup" that fits onto the knurled end of the oil filter and you just use a socket wrench to loosen it. Does anyone use that? If anyone is willing to suggest any ideas on what tools I can use to easily take off the oil filter for a 5gen, it would be greatly appreciated.
I have one of those (the smallest one avail... 62mm? Costs around $8 I think.) and use it to change the filter on my gen4. Gets the filter off in seconds. I'm not sure what the layout is like on your gen5, but it should be equally effective. Taking off the wheel and fender lining just to change the oil is pretty extreme IMO. If you have a socket wrench with an adjustable head, it may also help.
I've used the cap style also with some success, but it did lose it's grip on the really tight ones I've come across, I'd like to see a snap-on brand one.
But, the best one I have now is the Channel-Lock brand. Nice and slim and grips like crazy. Haven't had a problem using it on the gen2+4 Cams I've owned (both V6's). Kinda pricey though.
Originally posted by Oldman just get an oil filter wrench from walmart
Yeah I got one of those oil filter wrench from Kragens and they are a waste of money. The jaws on the wrench are barely strong enough to provide a grip to loosen the oil filter. Plus the wrench bends so easily even before the oil filter gets a chance to move.
Originally posted by 97&02camryleI4 Yeah I got one of those oil filter wrench from Kragens and they are a waste of money. The jaws on the wrench are barely strong enough to provide a grip to loosen the oil filter. Plus the wrench bends so easily even before the oil filter gets a chance to move.
Try the one that fits over the oil filter and takes a socket wrench... it's about $8 and it works great.
just get an oil filter wrench to get it off. when you put on the new filter remember to put oil on the rubber seal and only hand tighten or else you gonna have a hard time every oil change. Remember that you only need to tighten enough that the oil won't leak.
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1998 Camry LE -- Black
Mods -Osram Silverstars -14inch Alloy wheels -Short ram intake
Originally posted by 97&02camryleI4 I just changed my gf's 2002 5gen oil yesterday and it was a pain in the ass. This is the third time that it took me forever to get the damn filter off. The first time I had to ask my friend to borrow this big clamp with huge teeth on it to turn the filter (for those who own a 5gen, you would know that the oil filter sits in a very cramped space) so we used that to turn the oil filter. Well this time, I thought I would use this universal oil filter wrench I bought from Kragen's to do the same thing and twist the oil filter but there was no luck. The wrench simply did not want to cooperate and was bending when I tried to turn the wrench. Wasted 13 bucks on that wrench....
Later on, I decided to take off the front right wheel and the fender lining to get to the oil filter from the side. I hammered a screwdriver into the oil filter to twist the filter off. Entire oil changing process took three damn hours.
I was thinking about getting a fitted "cup" that fits onto the knurled end of the oil filter and you just use a socket wrench to loosen it. Does anyone use that? If anyone is willing to suggest any ideas on what tools I can use to easily take off the oil filter for a 5gen, it would be greatly appreciated.
I had the "cup" filter wrench tat fits on the rop and you use a socket wrench to turn it. It worked a few times, but as another post here said, it is not good if your filter is stuck. I used large "monkey"-type wrench successfully a couple of times. I always oil my seal and hand-tighten, possibly adding a 1/4 turn with the wrench so most times there is no problem.
I just boucht one of the oil filter wrenches with the belt (as opposed to with the metal strip) that has a strong handle. The ones with the metal grip (used to have one, bent on the second use) are not good if your filter is stuck - they bend too easily. I have yet to try the new wrench, but it looks solid enough to do the job.
Originally posted by kocho I had the "cup" filter wrench tat fits on the rop and you use a socket wrench to turn it. It worked a few times, but as another post here said, it is not good if your filter is stuck. I used large "monkey"-type wrench successfully a couple of times. I always oil my seal and hand-tighten, possibly adding a 1/4 turn with the wrench so most times there is no problem.
I just boucht one of the oil filter wrenches with the belt (as opposed to with the metal strip) that has a strong handle. The ones with the metal grip (used to have one, bent on the second use) are not good if your filter is stuck - they bend too easily. I have yet to try the new wrench, but it looks solid enough to do the job.
I apply a thin film of new motor oil to the rubber seal before I put the new filter on and only use my hands to tighten it. But it seems that when it comes time to take it off, it's very tight and tools are required to take it off, even though I didn't use tools in the first place. I think I know what you are talking about when referring to the belt type oil filter wrench but do those even have grip on the filters? It seems like it'll just slip off when the oil filter is stuck/tight. Thanks for all your replies.
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