Oil Filter looks like will be hard to get to even removing that guard

Just looked at it and I guess I will have to turn the wheel all the way out after pulling up on ramps. With the guard removed or out of way a little, looks like I will need that guy from the Avengers long arms to get to the filter lol.

Or is it not bad to be able to reach?

 

Alot of people complain about the filter location but its never been an issue for me. Unclip liner, take filter off, screw new one on, replace liner.

 

Im assuming its the v6 not the 4 banger. Ive never had a hard time doing mine, but i always remove the skid plates. Im anal, and don't want to get oil all over them. Though now that i see how rusty they've gotten, maybe a lil oil wouldn't hurt. But honestly its easy. I dont even use a wrench, just my man hands.

 

doing a mass reply to you and devin

yeah maybe it looks like I need long hands just looking at the view from outside with tire straight. I guess being under it reaching is the way I will have to do it anyway

 

You can loosen it and let it drain from directly under it. Then pull it out by reaching up through the space where the cross member and radiator is.

 

ok

 

Go through the driver side wheel well if it is a V6, piece of cake.

 

yes its a 6

i think looking at it with wheel straight vs turned while up on ramp makes it look like the reach is definitely longer

 

Whenever I change my filter (V6, and I've done it 2x a year since 1998) I remove the wheel, unclip the guard, stuff rags everywhere I can, and unscrew it. Usually I wind up with a small mess, but this last time it was a bit worse. While I thought I had enough rags underneath the filter, I didn't and oil poured out and into my skid plates and onto the garage floor. Major problems whenever I change the oil filter.

 

This is why I take the plates off. Imho its just easier. Ive never attempted through the wheel well, but id say its easier to take the plates off instead of the tire. You don't need a jack, plus you won't get the plates dirty if they're not there. To each his own though.

 

Oh boy the filter location on the 4 cylinder in a pain the ass IMO.
I've contemplated removing the tire once because FS cranked it down so tough it seemed like I was going to need a crowbar to get it undone.

 

I go through behind wheel. I dont worry about spilling any oil either as its only helping with rust. Everythings sprayed with an oil anyways as rust protection.

 

No need to remove the wheel, just unclip the apron seal. FWIW I can not say if this procedure works on 5 luggers.

 

what exactly is the skid plate for? How many bolts to remove? Any harm in leaving it off entirely?

also if any of you guys are audio savvy, I created a thread in audio section; thought its for my mustang 95

 

did you leave your plates off? Is that just one piece , the skids?

post a pic if you can

 

They are two piece. Cant get a picture at the moment. I put them back on everytime. 9 bolts total. I think, key word is THINK, you can just take the front one off by itself.

 

what size are the bolts and are they all easy to get to. I do have an air compressor but if anything about it has a little PITA involved lol, i would just take off the apron seal

 

I think they are 12's or 10mm. Grab an extension, like 3-4 inches.

 

They are all easy and self explanatory

 

cool, but i will the apron seal first

i see where someone ziptied one spot of mine and a few of the clips are missing