Stuck filter

[Bfitzgerald3]

I went to replace my HST filter on a Kubota MX5100. I was literally hanging on the filter wrench, putting probably 150 ft-lbs torque on it. The thing wouldn't budge. Suggestions? I have ideas, but don't want to reef on it too hard for hear of damaging the threads/nipple on the tractor.

 

[/pine]

Have you tried it when it's warm?

I would adjust the filter wrench so it is at the top or bottom where there is solid material...cinch the wrench tight and strike it with a mallet...

Good Luck...

 

[George2615]

You can also tap on the filter a few times with a mallet. Is this the first time you've changed this filter. I have seen this on cars as well. It usually happens when the filter is put on dry. Good luck getting it off and put a little oil of the new filter gasket before installing.

 

[dodge man]

I've had several filters on new cars that were very stubborn. Its one of my pet peeves. I have a very large channel lock pliers I use to get them off. Problem is at some point you are committed since you have pretty much mangled the old filter and have to get it off at that point. Like someone said above, if you can get on the base of it that helps.

 

[George2615]

I've had several filters on new cars that were very stubborn. Its one of my pet peeves. I have a very large channel lock pliers I use to get them off. Problem is at some point you are committed since you have pretty much mangled the old filter and have to get it off at that point. Like someone said above, if you can get on the base of it that helps.

I currently have about 10 filter wrenches now of various sizes. Broke two trying to remove stubborn filters over the years. On some I had to resort to driving a large screwdriver through the filter then use it as leverage to get the filter off. But I'm sure no one else has ever done that before.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I recently bought one of the filter wrench pliers from HF based on recommendations from TBN members. I haven't used them yet but now all my filters have been changed at least once so I don't anticipate any future hard to remove items. You will have to really tug on it to get them off the first time regardless of which one it is, motor or hydraulic.

 

[Soundguy]

i generally use one of those car seatbelp type strap wrenches as you can put it where you want... but those hf vice grip filter spanners do work nice too.

in any event. if your regular methods do not work, the gasket may have glued itself to the casting.. may have been cross threaded or put on overly tight and warped the base..

take a cold chissle and slart it at the base of the filter. don't get into thge casting underneath. if you don't feel safe about that.. get a metal putty knife and slide it under the edge as a backer for the chissle to ride against .. then dap it with a drilling hammer. the chissle should spin the filter till it can be loosened. this also works good on bung style drain capsand rounded nuts.. etc..

 

[Wolfy]

That was a good tip from Soundguy. I have done that on rounded nuts. A chain wrench will also take off very stubborn oil filters.

 

[puckgrinder85]

Dumb question, are you going the correct direction? Other than that I've never had one I couldn't remove with a metal band filter wrench situated at the base as to not crush the filter. New cars are pretty common with these dry filters tightened down hard.

 

[George2615]

Dumb question, are you going the correct direction? Other than that I've never had one I couldn't remove with a metal band filter wrench situated at the base as to not crush the filter. New cars are pretty common with these dry filters tightened down hard.

I guess you've never got one of the filters put on by hand tight by the 900 lb. gorilla at the assembly plant. Or you at least have the strength of one to remove them.

 

[Soundguy]

I guess you've never got one of the filters put on by hand tight by the 900 lb. gorilla at the assembly plant..

the ones i love the best are on fords with flange style drain bungs.. they use a lil 25 cent gasket and don't need to be super tight. if you don't have the 25 sents you can make one from any think cardboard or paperboard.. even card stock. but some jokers will be too cheap to cut up their beer carton to make one and instead tighten to 500thousand foot pouds making you round them off or have to remov ethem with a pipe wrench or chissle. some jokers glue them on with weatherstripping adhesive or stuff like jbweld...

 

[s219]

I've had both filters and drain plugs so tight from the factory that I had to break out a long 48" pipe to crack them loose. Ridiculous.

 

[Rocky Hoffler]

Every one has got some good ideas. I had some that I didn't think was coming off try more than one filter wrench at the same time.

 

[puckgrinder85]

I guess you've never got one of the filters put on by hand tight by the 900 lb. gorilla at the assembly plant. Or you at least have the strength of one to remove them.

I don't know, I'm quite young yet so I probably do have the strength. I'm also used to it working in the industry. The worst ones are the ones that are tight with no access, which is getting more prevalent it seems. Just remember on using "channel lock" pliers is they work like pipe wrenches, most people fail to realize this.

 

[Bfitzgerald3]

I tried everything above except the cold chisel... I would have done that, except the filter rides high on a protrusion in the tractor's frame. I would have had to have gotten behind it to give it a shot. Eventually, I managed to borrow a chain wrench with a two foot handle/lever arm. It took all my might and weight reefing on it to get it to budge, but it worked. The aluminum face of the filter was significantly gouged from the tractor frame, so the rumors of an 800lb gorilla at the Kubota plant may be accurate. The new filter was installed as tight as I could manage by hand... Somewhere between a half and 3/4 twist beyond finger tight. Thanks to all for the advice!

 

[Cat_Driver]

I've broken every filter tool made. I broke the welds off some, broke the rivets off others, shredded the ones with the strap. This has been pretty bullet proof...SO FAR.
Vise-Grip 27 9-Inch Locking Chain Clamp - Locking Jaw Pliers - Amazon.com

 

[kevin37b]

They put them on dry at the factory ? So much for lube when you change them ?

 

[Zebrafive]

I've broken every filter tool made. I broke the welds off some, broke the rivets off others, shredded the ones with the strap. This has been pretty bullet proof...SO FAR.
Vise-Grip 27 9-Inch Locking Chain Clamp - Locking Jaw Pliers - Amazon.com

Agree, an amazing tool

 

[Soundguy]

my favorite one is the one made from seatbelt material, that ahd a 6" hollow tube square stock to fit a 1/2" ratchet

 

[ruffdog]

Yeah, the good 'ole days. If it is so tight that you crush the filter or round off the flats on the end of it, then it gets fun. Then a person might just puncture right through with a large screwdriver and get it started turning. Then, the filter outer canister spins on the stuck base plate. Then you might pop through the side to beat the base plate counter clockwise. All while muttering words that could strip paint off the wall. Grrrr :muttering: