Stripped K&N Filter Options?

Being an idiot, I've managed to strip the nut on a K&N oil filter. The filter is on a ZX6R, which means the filter itself is pretty much inaccessible for a filter wrench.

Channel lock pliers didn't work on the nut.

Thinking of using vise grips, but more than a little worried I'll only make things worse. The nut is pretty soft metal, IMHO.

Anybody willing to admit they've done the same thing, and managed to remove the damn filter without taking the engine out the frame first?

 

Place drain pan, stab filter with screwdriver. Loosen using screwdriver for leverage. Profit. :up:

 

If you use the screwdriver method, punch the filter closer to the end, not near the base that attaches to the engine.

 

Who put the filter on ? If you got onto the nut squarely with a 17mm socket and rounded the nut off it was on WAY too tight.

 

before you try the screwdriver, can you get a strap wrench around it? That works about 90% of the time.

 

I tried a strap wrench this morning, but the filter is recessed so deep against the side of the engine I couldn't get any grip. Will try the vise grips next, really don't want to have to go the screwdriver route.

 

I don't know if a socket cap type remover will fit over the chewed nut but that's what I would try.

This a newer 6R with the filter on the left side of the engine? If so, there's usually a drainage catch tray just under the filter that can be removed with a couple of screws to give a little more room to fiddle with it.

 

here's most of the options, minus the screwdriver...
http://images.search.yahoo.com/sear...RXNyoA?p=oil filter wrench pliers&fr2=piv-web

i've had good luck with this style nylon strap as they fit into tight spaces and, as long as the filter is clean, the nylon grabs it well. with an over-tight filter, it's possible to crush the filter where the strap is rolled onto the pin, but it can still work.


if you get the pliers type, go for the ones with three teeth. i found my snap-on four tooth version didn't work too well with smaller filters so i lopped one of the teeth off making it like a three tooth mac. also, get it with the jaws offset at an angle. more troublesome than the nylon strap when space is limited.


the steel strap pliers are crap for our purposes. with or without a rubber lining they only do their job well if set squarely on the filter. if you crush the filter, you're generally out of luck with these.

the cup style sockets look promising but are size specific and you can't have already boogered up the filter.

vise grips either crush the filter or do not grab hard enough to prevent slipping on an over-tight filter.

 

Screwdriver method works like a charm and +10000 to what pefrey said.

 

can you crush the base of the filter to get more room inside the recess?

Otherwise Id get tin snips and cut the filter apart... then youll have access to the backside of the threads that can be twisted off pretty easy.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Worlds-Best-Universal-Filter-Wrench/dp/tags-on-product/B000UD0CTQ

I have one similar to this. I use this on my truck and on my bikes. The more force you put on the rachet the harder the tool grips the filter. Seems to work pretty well for me.

 

Ever rip a filter in half with the screwdriver method?

Try wrapping sandpaper around the strap wrench if it slips.

 

No, but I've only done it 2 or 3 times.

 

This is probably the only tool that will get to that filter and get it off. I highly recommend that you use an OEM filter next time. Those nuts on the K&Ns are just an excuse to overtighten the filter, then they twist off during removal. I see it a lot.

 

What??

Can't say I have in the few times I've had to do the screwdriver method.

 

Seems obvious but i will say it anyhow...
Make sure the bike is warm when you go to take filters off. Makes it so much easier (filter/oil/etc)...

Ride safe,
AAron

 

Saw my friend do it to his bike. Sucked for him....

 

I've used the screwdriver method more times than I'd like to admit . . . couple other possibilities . . . .

1.) Use a die grinder to cut a slit into the head of the oil filter nut to fit a flat head screwdriver

2.)Auto parts stores sell big channel lock - type wrenches that grab the whole filter . . that almost always works . . .

you shouldn't have any issues though with the screwdriver method unless you decided you were hercules when you put it on in the first place . .