Oil-filter removal (2004 Jeep Liberty)

LOL! And it isn't like we haven't done it once too, eh? When they say hand tight, they really mean it.

Mike

No matter how tight that filter is, these babies will jerk that sucker right off.

HTH

Carl

snipped-for-privacy@co.riverside.ca.us proclaimed:

Well, you've exhausted or ignored all of the common sense suggestions, so perhaps you might consider seeing if a local zoo has a spare gorilla?

This is the type I use:

Maybe we need to get Kate involved in this discussion. She used to have a Libby....

Is this what your engine looks like?

Yup, that's what I use. Have two sizes for the two sizes of filters my vehicles use.

Whan my daughter worked (very briefly) at the service center of the Jeep dealership, she came home one day telling me "Mom, Liberty's SUCK!! If you ever need the oil changed on yours, don't bring it to me"

Evidently they are VERY hard to get to, even for her scrawny little arms.

I'm sure glad she gave up being a lube jockey...

Kate

I have to file that away..."whinetit?" never heard that before. I can think of a lot of folks who fit that description.

I wonder if there is available a remote oil filter mount for the Liberty?

There ought to be Matt, it's in a damned akward spot. I remember thinking I would have to dismantle something to get to it. . Now see.. this is how you could make your first million!

Kate

Removing the oil filter is a bear! Once you push your arm between the tie-rod and the fan shroud and reach the filter, there's no room to get a good grip on the filter to screw it off.

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When my new Liberty reached 2,500 miles, I couldn't get the factory-installed oil filter off so I ended up taking the Liberty to a quick-lube-place to have the oil changed and the oil filter replaced. (Apparently, the factory put the filter without oiling the rubber gasket and must've used an impact wrench).

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Then, at 5,000 miles, I changed the oil and replaced the oil filter with almost no effort. I oiled the rubber basket on the oil filter then snugged up the filter by hand and turned it another 1/4 turn.

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Now, at 8,000 miles, I first tried a oil-filter end cup (or cap). For picture:

When I turned the cup, it rounded-off the flutes and just spun.

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I then tried a nylon strap-type oil-filter "wrench". For picture:

As the extension bar turned, it tightened the strap around the oil filter. When it didn't unscrew the oil filter, I stopped, fearing it would rip apart the filter and I'd have an even more-difficult time getting the torn filter off the mount.

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Is there anyone out there that has actually changed the oil-filter on a Liberty? What tool did you use

The tool you tried should work fine. The main problem is that just about everyone over tightens the filter. Seems like people think it has to be real tight so it won't leak. Most filters only require 1/2 to 3/4 quarter turn after the gasket contacts the mating surface. Check the box and only tighten the amount it says; makes it come off easy!

I've been reading this thread since the beginning, and unless the '05 location is different from the '04, I can't figure out what the problem is.

I've changed the filter the wife's Liberty five times over the last year, and have not had any trouble. I use a filter-end 'cup' type. I go in from the top. The only thing I can't remember is if I use a 3/8" ratchet, or a

I have had the cup slip off, but found that once it is seated well on the filter, it works like a charm.

Larry

Wow, you are thick....

A whole new thread and you forgot to show that 'YOU' broke your oil filter by leaving the 'removal' tool on it when you 'installed' it with the 'removal' tool last time.

Leaving that out of this new thread is BS.

There are no short cuts now, the filter is damaged and put on too tight. If it 'wasn't put on too tight, the strap would have worked. Simple. The proper tool will now not work.

I would recommend you take it to a professional cheapie lube place and play dumb about the damage. Hopefully they don't have to pull the engine out to fix it.

Just my $0.02.

Mike

Does the strap wrench just 'slip' when you try to turn it?

It may just require a quick shot of solvent like brake cleaner (doesn't leave a residue) on the filter can and wrench strap to clean off any accumulated oils.

Install the strap wrench as close to the base as possible and give it a spin. It is doubtful you will damage the filter.

If it continues to slip you might try laying a strip of sandpaper inside the strap, the granules will bite into the can.

Perhaps a friend/neighbor with more mechanical experience can lend hand.

Your only other choice is going to your corner quickie lube. Be aware, however, that they have a reputation for over-tightening filters.

I have one of those cap tools that I got 25-30 years ago and is made of steel of good thickness, the new ones I see at the auto-parts store look to be stamped from tin and pretty flimsy. If you want to use one try to find a stout model. Also they make lots of different sizes, are you sure you have the EXACT one?

We have all done silly things at one time or another, especially when we were younger and had less experience...... He has learned a valuable lesson, now give him a break.

I've also got two of those metal strap wrenches (somewhere).

Wouldn't you know it, this weekend when I went to change the oil the filter was on about half a turn too tight to unscrew by hand. Of course, that meant I couldn't find either wrench. So, I ended up using one of these:

Neighbor of mine shredded a filter right down to the base trying to get it off. With nothing more than the flat base to grab, we drug my mig welder over and tacked a bar across it... figuring it would give some leverage to spin it off. The mig provided just enough heat to soften the rubber ring and the base spun off without needing to tug on the bar.

Hi Billy Ray,

No, the strap does NOT slip when I try to turn it. I've used quite a bit of force but the filter still didn't budge. I really don't want to turn it harder because that may collapse the filter.

I'm going to take your advice and take the Liberty to my corner quickie-lube place and let them fight with it. (When I took it to them the first time -- at 2,500 miles -- it took them almost an hour to get the factory-installed oil filter off and they tried a number of different tools to do it). I'll just tell them to oil the rubber gasket and to screw the filter on per the instructions on the box. Hopefully, I can then do the work myself in the future).

Thanks,

Gary

P.S. to Mike: I doubt that leaving the cup (or cap) "broke" the oil filter. Except for rounding-off the flutes on the filter, I haven't "damaged" it, either. I think the filter was just screwed on a little too tight.

Except for rounding-off the flutes on the filter, I haven't

So if the flutes weren't rounded off, it wouldn't be damaged. So since they are, it is damaged.

I think the filter was just screwed on a little

By whom?