Please help! First home oil change 1st gen 2.7L

Thought it was about time to start changing the oil on my own. Only one problem: I can't reach the damn filter! It's the setup with the filter right next to the psgr front tire, threads facing up. Well, I CAN reach it through the wheel well, but I can't get enough torque with my hands, and my filter wrench won't fit in the tiny space. What am I doing wrong? Got any tips? The truck's out in the driveway with no oil, and it's getting dark...

'01 Tacoma 2.7L L4 4x4

 

band wrench wont fit?

what kinda filter?

I used to crush frams with my right hand a little for better grip, then spin them off....use the tire as leverage with ur other hand

OR, use the tire/other hand as leverage...........but use more of the PALM of ur hand and grip the side of the filter like a soda/beer can and use ur fingers as more grip......then use a "pushing/rotating" type of move and show it whos boss

again, use the face/side of the filter for grip......not the bottom of it

 

You're gonna have to get right under there and use a steady pressure to undo it. Once you've broken the seal I'd get a plastic garbage bag and cover your hand and turn the filter off letting the filter drop into the bag. At least the engine is draining real good. Good luck!

 

It's not a band wrench. It's some "adjustable" piece of crap that I'm not too fond of. Thanks for the advice. Anyone else have tips?

 

Good idea with the bag. Thanks!

 

the plier type ones are shit IMHO..........and the cap style ones also IMHO.

never been let down by the strap type, or bare hands.


If ur desperate and cant wait till 2morro, u can stab the filter with a screw driver and use it for leverage.

Ive never had to resort to this measure tho, and I assume u MAY run the risk of tearing the filter and not spinning it?

 

Got it! I turned the front wheels all the way to the left. Gave me way more room! Then I just worked the filter loose with my hand. Thanks for trying to help a noob. I think this will go more smoothly next time!