Best tool for removing the oil filter?

[nurseBob]

I did my first oil change today. Removing the cover on the right side left me ready to have words with the engineer that designed the post/hook/no-space-between-spark-and-cover design, but I managed. However, getting the oilfilter off was more of a challenge. I found both my strap-wrench (which collapsed the filter) and the badly-designed adjustable filter wrench added to my near-nightmare.
So, suggestions on the best tool/procedure to both remove and re-torque the filter?
Thanks!

Bob the RN :biker:

[Pred8tor]

You can get a cap wrench, designed to fit the end of the filter. This beats the other types of wrenches in my opinion. I got mine at Advance Auto... But I understand AutoZone has them, too. Mine is metal and works well.

[dannyk]

metal cap wrench uses 3/8 drive

[nurseBob]

Thanks to both Pred8tor and DannyK. I'll be investing shortly!

Bob

[crazykz]

The answer is in one of my responses to my own post here:
http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4499

Curt

[nurseBob]

The answer is in one of my responses to my own post here:
http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4499

Curt
Curt,

Thanks!

Bob

[nurseBob]

The answer is in one of my responses to my own post here:
http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4499

Curt
Curt,

BTW, being a "retired" SE with some 15 years experience, I can do the binary...
Of course, being an RN now (uhm, Real Nurse) now, I may have had a bit shift or so in terms of context...

At any rate, I welcome your suggestions and have followed the suggested thread. Thanks!

Bob

[Kennedy]

Couldn't find that cup wrench up here any place except the dealer but it sure makes an oil change a whole lot easier.

[Kempo-STer]

Agree Guys..
Cap wrench which I bought at the dealer...Piece of cake..
Except once I got the filter off i really could not get the conventional oil catcher under the filter when pulling off (was on sidestand..Use center stand to drain oil from oil pan and side stand to remove/drain filter so as to not get oil all over the center stand) so it was a little messy. Will use a foil cake pan next time.

[jdos2]

Removal?

Screw it. Hammer- thin but strong punch. That's what I do.

Install? Wrench, or if worse comes to worse, a rag with traction on the filter and tighten by hand 'till it won't turn anymore.

[nm6r]

A cap wrench is essential. It's the only way you will be able to properly torque the new oil filter.

Removal is always a piece of cake with the new oil filter properly torqued. The bonus is you know it will never come loose on it's own either.

Ray
http://www.frontiernet.net/~st1300rider/smile04Bikerwheelie.gif

[nisbeam]

I'm with jdos2. May be sacrelidge to you purists, but I always hammer a screwdriver in & use it to wrench the filter loose - tighten up the new one by hand. Done this hundreds of times over the years on cars & bikes & never had a problem. :03biker:

[Mellow]

I'm with jdos2. May be sacrelidge to you purists, but I always hammer a screwdriver in & use it to wrench the filter loose - tighten up the new one by hand. Done this hundreds of times over the years on cars & bikes & never had a problem. :03biker:

I seem to have to use this technique on every new bike or car lately. Once I do the first oil change and replace the filter and hand tighten only, the following ones are a piece of cake.

[Kempo-STer]

Not trying to repeat my post but again cap wrench..

Just completed my 2nd oil change myself (3rd overall) and I changed the oil, filter and final drive oil in under 1/2 hour. For me that's a miracle..

BTW...Center stand for draining the oil pan,
side stand for r&r of oil filter and filling back up.

Am I ready for a NASCAR Pit crew?? :D There is more action and excitment watching pit crews work than watching cars turn left for 4 hours... :p: (Here we go..Let the fun begin)

[georgeorge]

Todd....Don't you have an insurance policy to write or something?!!!!

Stock cars turn right.......they just don't need to.

By the way....I just use my strap wrench to loosen and my hand to tighten. Never had a problem.

[Bones]

Center stand for draining the oil pan, side stand for r&r of oil filter and filling back up.



This is the most valuable information regarding ST oil changes.
(That, and spread some newspaper around your work space because you're going to have a few drips.)

[clmixon]

Take small garbage bag or big ziplock (like the ziplock better)

hold under filter area

reach up tand grasp filter from inside bag

quickly unscrew filter and allow to fall into bag

Show wife cookie sheet and suggest looks better with cookies on it.....:D

BTW, Tourque hammers and Tuning sledge are both recognized tools...

Chris

[Keith_UK]

nurseBob - If no-one else has posted this info, then task a note that the official Honda wrench for the ST oil filter is part no: 07HAAPJ70101.

As an alternative, I would have liked to use the K&N#204 that is made with a hexagonal head for ease of removal and fitting, but unfortunately these filters seem to be unavailable to buy in the UK ... which is a shame.

[Biddyman]

Just Hammer a screwdriver through it. Ya just spent all your money on the bike. Why buy tools. Hahahah! :D

This and oil changes reminds me of a time a guy drove 80,000 miles in a Honda Civic and never changed the oil or filter. He didn't know it needed done. Engine siezed up.

[nisbeam]

Hi Biddyman. I understand your comments. But to clarify, I maintain my bike with no expense spared,and take great care with any mechanical procedures. However, the oil filter is a consumable item & is just thrown away , the important bit is how it is replaced. A smear of fresh oil on the seal - clean the area it will seat against, and screw it on carefully, then do up hand tight (OK very hand tight). It works fine. No problem if you use a special tool to undo it, but I dont think it's worth it. The most important thing is to change the oil (and filter) regularly, I do this every 4000 miles. I have done this on previous bikes which I have had for almost 100,000 miles on (each), and the engines have always outlasted others including those serviced by dealers, without engine or clutch problems. Mt ST is still like new after 26,000 miles and I intend to keep if for a few years more and this should be well over 200,000 minimum. :03biker:

[lsdpoet]

Best way to avoid these problems is to switch to K&N Oil Filters...they utilize a 17mm bolt that is easily tightened and loosened. Believe the number is KN204.....end of problem......lsd ;) :03biker:

[g17]

hammer and screwdriver. failproof.

[rwl1955]

I agree w/Mellow.
I just hand tighten and never have a problem getting the old one off.
I just changed my oil last weekend and went w/the new Mobil 1 gold cap.
So far so good.

[g17]

well.....I guess I'll have to find another use for the hammer and screwdriver :mad: . I changed the oil about 30 minutes ago and the filter was easily removed by hand :eek: . It was snug enough so that it didn't fall off in the last 3000 miles so I just hand "torqued" the new one on just like before and will report again on this 3000 miles from now :biker: .
On another note, it's amazing what you can do at WalMart at 4 o'clock in the morning....had the store to myself, browsed the automotive aisles, and guess what? there wasn't even a wait at the checkout counter. Think I'll buy a lotto ticket :) btw, :bow1: ROTELLA T SYNTHETIC RULES!

[Tor]

Changed my oil and filter yesterday at 70 miles on my new 05 ST. Did not have any luck getting the filter off using a cap, or a bandwrench. Slung both of them in the workshop corner, got in the truck and went to Autozone and bought this adj. wrench.
http://hand-tools.e-xposuredesign.com/img/15737c.jpg

Good snug fit around the filter, and the filter came right off. Put the new one on, handtighted, and emptied a jug of Rot T + change in the engine. Good to go to 600.