Oil Filter Removal Tool
Oil Filter Tool for the 3.4
http://www.nwtoys.com
Need to change the oil filter on a 3.4? This tool makes it easy!
You have heard about or experienced first hand what a pain in the *** it is to get the oil filter off the Tacoma 3.4, especially for the first oil change with the factory filter. Someone needs to tell the factory not to torque those things on quite so tight... but, until then, we have to manage.
Various people have ideas about what the best way to get at the filter is. Some pull the skid plates and reach up from below, others with skinny arms just reach up from below without removing the skids. Some advocate reaching in from the wheel well. Some folks like to try to catch the filter in a plastic bag, some just let it drip. A few desperate people have ended up having to puncture the filter with a screwdriver and twist it off that way... what a mess!
I have been using this tool for a while now with a 100% success level. With the long extension, it allows you to keep the ratchet outside the wheel well. You can remove the filter with the wheel/tire on or off and the skid plates remain untouched. On stock height rigs, it is sometimes of benefit to turn the wheel to give you a bit more room, but it is not required.
To use:
Simply park the truck where you will be doing the change and where you will have access to the drivers side wheel well, drain the oil, then use the tool to remove the filter. If you still have the stock splash guards, simply unsnap it enough to get the tool in and the filter out. The tool uses three "legs" to bite into the filter, so it grabs, but does not puncture the filter. It will drip a small amount when the filter comes loose, so be prepared to catch it, but with the anti-drainback valves in most filters, the dripping is pretty minimal. The tool only works for removal, but you shouldn't be using a wrench to tighten the filter anyway... that is how they end up too tight in the first place. Hand tight, then a little more is all it takes.
Here's a shot of the tool itself. I bought this on in the Sears tool department for about $6.00, but I have seen them other places since then. It works A LOT better than the end-cap units you see at AutoZone, because they are only designed to fit one shape and size of filter. This will grab onto any filter you choose to use.
Here's a shot of the wrench on the long extension;
And finally one of the tool, the extension and a socket wrench;
Happy oil changing!
Here's a link to the Sears site featuring a variation of the same tool. - Click Here
-Rob (WATRD)