Oil change question

Just did a oil change on my 15 5.7 for the first time , i swapped the plastic housing for the metal toyota one and while i had it apart i noticed a little metal clip in the housing where the filter screws in, it pulled right out i was able to find it online
15679-37011)
anyone have anymore info or how important this piece is

 

I believe it’s designed to prevent the filter housing from backing off.

 

Does it keep pressure on the housing? Mine looks like the tab is broken and no way touches the housing

 

I think that component is worthless, in fact that's the first thing the lube tech bends out the way during Toyota Care oil changes.
Never had an issue with oil housing backing off especially with Conan the Wrench Man torque specs from dealership.

 

That was inside the housing?

 

It’s a little tab that rests on the outside of the filter housing applying pressure to the housing to stop it from backing out. I’ve ignored that thing and have not had any issues with my filter housing backing out. I do use the filter wrench to snug it up, snug, not Conan tight. Maybe a little bit more than hand tight with a normal filter.

 

I understand what it is and the correct filter tool pushes it out of the way when removing. By you first post you wrote about it being in the housing and I wondered if the last nut behind the wrench just tossed it in there. Mine is intact and working as intended.

Carry on.

 

Ya i ment on the side of the filter housing

 

Yeah, that would’ve been OP, I never said anything about it being in the housing. It’s a little tab that rests against housing. Mine is also in tact and working, I don’t pay any attention to it.
I was responding to OP.

 

Sorry, I thought it was the OP replying. My screwup. At least we are all in agreement.

 

don’t know how my response ends up in quote.

 

Was it difficult to swap the center column from your factory housing to the new metal unit without marring it?

 

No not at all just have to bend the metal tabs up and spin it out then put it in the new one and bend the tabs down

 

I didn’t have to bend anything. Used a trim tool to pop it out and in the new one.

 

The dealership did my first oil change so I'm only assuming this statement. Since mine doesn't touch the original filter housing I think they bend the tang out of the way, rendering it useless. I have the Motivx filter wrench and can barely loosen the housing with factory torque settings. The o-ring seems to stick like glue, it doesn't really feel like the threads are binding but I may be wrong. I don't see how the housing can loosen on its own.

 

Mine always eventually fell off and it never seemed to matter or do much of anything. In their description there you'd think all your oil would leak out and your engine will blow up if you didn't have this "simple yet crucial" part.