Stuck Oil Filter
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,605
Likes: 82
From: nj
Probably a Harley mechanic put it on and Over torqued it usually you should warm the bike up first get all the oils going and sometimes it will warm up the gasket Ive tried channel locks when the wrench wouldnt work or I should say spanner wrench then if those two dont work I ran into the screwdriver to do the trick sometimes if you go up and down on the oil filter will break that little seal from the rubber gasket that might help good luck
Thread Starter
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4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 8
Likes: 15
From: AZ
Well, I cant find a way to edit my original post, so I guess Ill reply. First off, thanks to everyone for taking the time to reply. I read each message and took all your suggestions into consideration.
i decided against buying another wrench, as the filter is so crumpled from me torquing on it, nothing will fit at this point.
and I mean I was cranking on that thing with the strap wrench. So much so that I was afraid of breaking or bending other parts of the bike.
The workspace is too tight to get channel locks in there. In fact, I tried the hammer and chisel approach, but again space is so limited I only managed to dig into a very small area on the top.
i did all of this after warming the bike up for a few minutes.
so I guess Im left with just shredding that filter to bits and pulling the remains off the main body with pliers, or give up and take it to a pro. Any last words of wisdom? Thanks again in advance.
i decided against buying another wrench, as the filter is so crumpled from me torquing on it, nothing will fit at this point.
and I mean I was cranking on that thing with the strap wrench. So much so that I was afraid of breaking or bending other parts of the bike.
The workspace is too tight to get channel locks in there. In fact, I tried the hammer and chisel approach, but again space is so limited I only managed to dig into a very small area on the top.
i did all of this after warming the bike up for a few minutes.
so I guess Im left with just shredding that filter to bits and pulling the remains off the main body with pliers, or give up and take it to a pro. Any last words of wisdom? Thanks again in advance.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 1,320
From: Good roads, cold beer
I had a dealer do an oil change once years back on a tour....once home I couldn't get the filter off to save my life. Once my current HD filter stock runs out I think I'm going to shift to K&N w/ the nut on the end. Thats the plan anyway.
Maybe post a pic. Not that it will help, but maybe it will.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,101
Likes: 1,013
Tear that sucker off piece by piece if you have to!
If you try the screwdriver route, use a fat one and drive it through both sides of the filter, making sure
there is room to spin it with the driver installed. I had one that took my huge channel locks to get off
If you have to tear the outer can off, then you can get inside and find something better to grip onto.
Good luck
If you try the screwdriver route, use a fat one and drive it through both sides of the filter, making sure
there is room to spin it with the driver installed. I had one that took my huge channel locks to get off
If you have to tear the outer can off, then you can get inside and find something better to grip onto.
Good luck
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 447
Likes: 11
From: Bronxville ny
If the filter was that tight the k&n filter with the nut could not save you those nuts are BS I've had them shear off the body of the filter more than once.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,742
Likes: 9,256
From: Snow Hill, NC
I had to drive the screw driver in about 4 times to get it moved in very small increments and finally it gave way. Cleaned the whole area with brake cleaner. If you do it right , the next time a strap wrench or cup type remover gets it off easily. 107000 miles on my old FLHTC and never a problem until I bought this Tri Glide
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,191
Likes: 2,423
From: USA
Remove some things to give yourself the necessary room.
A chisel is a cutting tool, dont cut into the mount while cutting into the filter. Sometimes switching to a dull chisel or a punch after cutting a good notch with a sharp chisel works better.
With things removed for access, you may be able to get in there with a truly large set of channel locks. Similar caution about not tearing up the mount.
A chisel is a cutting tool, dont cut into the mount while cutting into the filter. Sometimes switching to a dull chisel or a punch after cutting a good notch with a sharp chisel works better.
With things removed for access, you may be able to get in there with a truly large set of channel locks. Similar caution about not tearing up the mount.