Tom M'Guinn

I guess I've been lucky. I've always put them on and removed them by hand, no tools.

alordofchaos

It doesn't help dme, but yeah, that's normal if the filter was put on properly. I dip my finger in clean oil, lube the gasket, put it on 3/4 turn after contact (mentioned upthread). No leaks, and comes off by hand.

tifosiman

Its the raw horsepower, I tells ya. It just sucks the filter down onto there.

PeteL

I use a strap wrench to remove my filter. It is a nylon band with a bar that 1/2 in drive fits into. I wrap the band around the filter, and then twist the bar to tighten the band. Once it is tight, with the 1/2 in extention on my ratchet, I am able to twist the filter until loose, and then remove by hand. Best thing since sliced bread.

alordofchaos

... and that's the only reason I haven't turbo'd my car yet... I don't have all those tools to get that filter off

dme

I have one of those nylon straps too. I also oil the seal before putting the new filter on and (I thought) was very careful about not tightening too much. In all my years I have never had a filter do what this one did which was basicly implode when trying all techniques to remove it. Fortunately I was able to use the drain holes for my improvised tool.