Another Stuck Filter Housing Thread

Hey all,

Went to do my first oil change today on the Tundra. I had read to stories about these caps being on tight. I prepared myself with an filter wench an new aluminum cap.. Well the dang tool broke in half trying to get the cap off... How the frig did you guys get this thing off without simply mangling it.. I left the old filter in for now an refilled it . Can't be down a vehicle dont have all day to screw with it .. I mean come on, I've been changing my own oil since I got my first car. This whole system is awful to deal with. Why!!!?????

 

Who did the oil changes before you? The dealer? If so, I would take it back and tell them WTF you guys need to loosen this and put this one on for me while you’re in there. Or at least break it loose for you. Show them your tool. Luckily I never had a problem with mine. But if I did, I have a 24 inch pipe wrench or giant channel locks that I would give a go with. Back in the day, if one got stuck, you would hammer a screwdriver through it sideways, then use that as your wrench and leverage. Probably not a good idea to do with this particular housing, as you will probably damage the filter tube that you need to transfer to your new part.

 

Try the MotivX oil filter tool linked below. Use a 27mm socket on the hex with a breaker bar. Add a piece of pipe if necessary to extend the wrench handle. Got to wonder what that kind of torque does to your aluminum threads; hopefully the plastic thread fails first. When you reinstall the aluminum housing, specified torque is 18 ft-lb.

$30 Motivx Tools Oil Filter Wrench for Toyota Camry, Tundra, Tacoma, 4Runner, RAV4 and More - 64mm 14 Flute Precision CNC Machined Aluminum Oil Filter Removal Tool

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XTAGHU...+Tacoma,+Highlander,+Sienna,+Tundra,+and+More

The MotivX tool is forged 6061-T5 aluminum. It looks identical to your APSG, but that's where the similarity ends. The Motivx is $10 more, and is #2 in Amazon oil filter tool sales. Amazon has 1790 reviews for the MotivX (4.8 stars, 89% of reviews give five star rating, 2% one star). Amazon has 23 reviews for the APSG (4.5 stars), and it has a high percentage of one star ratings (9%). One out of ten reviewers has a serious issue with the APSG tool. APSG seems to have a quality problem; one reviewer reported tool failure just like yours.

Amazon now has forged alloy steel oil filter tools for this application if you've lost your confidence in aluminum.

 

Thanks for all the info I appreciate it. I was using just the 3/8 drive to turn it when it busted. Perhaps I should have used a socket an maybe it wouldnt have exploded..

 

I also have the MotivX oil filter tool and have not had any trouble using the internal drive on the tool. Make sure the tool slides fully on the cap and that you have the tool positioned so that you get all of the square lugs engaged.

 

If you dont rub a film of new oil on the new filter before installing it, the next time will be F#%%^$ Hell.

 

If you order the MotivX tool, you can use the 3/8" drive AFTER the current housing has been removed. Since you've already broken one (possibly faulty) tool, don't test fate: Use the 27mm hex drive to remove the existing housing.

As @zombie said, apply a film of motor oil to the housing o-ring before installing the new filter housing. Be sure you install the housing o-ring properly in the filter housing groove. If you buy the Toyota oil filter, there are pictorial directions showing how to install the o-ring right on the side of the box.

 

Could you explain this a little more, please? Do you mean a little oil on the black rings, or do you mean the actual filter? If you mean the filter itself, how? I will be doing my first oil change since the free dealerships ended this coming weekend.

 

Had this issue recently and man it sucks. I asked for help here and someone suggested placing a piece of paper between your filter wrench and the housing. I tried it and it worked! So order the MotivX wrench and fold a piece of paper and place it on the housing then tap the wench on. This saved me when even a breaker bar wouldn't budge it before.

 

Whoever put it back on needs to adjust their elbow torque wrench. Wow.

+1 for the Motivx & get the drain tool as well while you're at it for cleaner oil changes.

$55 Motivx Tools Oil Filter Wrench and Drain Tool Set for Toyota & Lexus 2.0L - 5.7L Engines With Cartridge Style Oil Filter Systems

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078RJ2L25/

 

The Rubber O-ring.

 

Somebody gots some muscles! LOL

Having never seen this before, I guess the ratchet or extension inserted put forces on it to create the failure. A socket on the outside flats may have prevented that failure. That wrench looks like cast material, prolly not the best material for tools.
Mine is more of a plate steel material, probably stamped from a press. I am thinking a whole lot less likely to split like that.

 

Like I tell my wife...It's not paranoia if they're actually out to get you.

 

The 3/8" drive corners are "notch" stress risers. Notice the tiny circular recesses at the corners; those are intended to spread the corner stress concentration to a larger area. The circular cutouts work to reduce the stress concentration, but there still has to be enough material to handle the stress where the drive corner is closest to the hex surface. MotivX designed the tool using the material properties of forged 6061-T5. APSG copied the design but...

What I suspect as well. Grain structure looks very coarse to be a forged part.