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Cheap Chinese Oil Filter Wrench

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Siward, Apr 29, 2017.

  1. Siward

    Siward Active Member

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    Last fall, my CTA 2485 oil filter wrench broke which I originally bought from Amazon for $14. It is supposed to be heavy duty, but I guess not.

    Since I had a few months before my next oil change, I decided to buy a filter wrench from China for $5. To my surprise, the Chinese filter wrench is not only cheaper but much more sturdier. It even fits better and doesn't get stuck on the filter. It took four months to get here but it was worth it.

    Cap Oil Filter Wrench 14 Flutes 3/8" Drive 64.5mm For Toyota Prius Corrola Rav4 Auris Etc. Free Shipping-in Engine Care from Automobiles & Motorcycles on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

    Here are some photos. The left is the CTA broken filter wrench. The right is one made from China:

    20170407_170422.jpg 20170407_170317.jpg 20170407_170348.jpg

    The Chinese filter wrench fit perfectly. Some newer ones on Amazon all fit identically.
    20170429_154515.jpg

    The Chinese-quality oil filter is not bad at all. I guess this is a cheap alternative.
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you never know what will be better or worse until you have it in your hands, and put it to use.
     
  3. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I am wondering how the old filter wrench fit, since it did not have cut-outs for the notches in the plastic filter cap.
     
  4. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

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    My Amazon purchased Chinese filter wrench looks like yours. I initially thought it very durable versus the generic one that is broken for which I replaced it with. Yeah, when those two teeth that seems to fit perfectly in those slots broke off, my feelings changed. Seems it feels stout and heavy but it is just an illusion. It was very brittle and broke off with a few taps on the concrete floor. I was trying to release it from the filter because it was stuck.
     
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  5. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    I unfortunately have a similar experience as @mmmodem :(.

    I have 2 teeth that have snapped off during use. The cast or aluminum part definitely holds into the filter housing during use.

    Thought I would share my experience as well.

    Good luck with your wrench(y).
     
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Honda filter socket works fine too. I got mine 25-30 years back.

    IMG_6711.JPG

    Part number isn't current, but it's easy to find, either at parts counter or online.
     
  7. our1vue

    our1vue Member

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    I got this one.

    I do my own oil changes, so I haven't needed to torque on it. Plus it is easy to remove from the filter housing after you install/remove
    the filter.
     
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Puzzling statement. Anyway, the filter housing torque is 18 ft/lb, and the drain bolt 27.

    Ok, think I understand: since you put it on, it's not severely over-torqued. Gotcha.
     
  9. Primetoronto

    Primetoronto Junior Member

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  10. our1vue

    our1vue Member

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    Mendel,
    You're correct. Don't tell anyone, but I use a 3/8 drive to take the filter off. :)
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.