Here is how I was able to change the oil filter in my 99 RX300 from the top fairly easily and with in 6-7 minutes. I am using Toyota oil filter. I drained the oil when the engine was hot and then allowed it to cool down before taking the filter out. I used Fram filter wrench available for about $4 at Walmart.

 

I lowered the wrench where the red box is using my right hand. Then I put my left hand where the yellow box is (that is also where the filter is). Using this way, I will able to put the wrench on the filter with feel of the hands pretty easily. Once the wrench has a grip on the filter, it can be turned with the right hand pretty easily (to both tighten or losen).

 

Glad you worked it out with one of those wrenches. I have an adjustable rubber belt style filter wrench and I failed miserably at getting the oil filter off this weekend.

Instead, I bought an oil filter cap wrench, just the round socket guy, and used a socket wrench with a 4" extension.

 

I wanted to use the cap wrench but could not find one that would fit the Toyota filter (though later I saw a post by salimshah which specifies which one to use). Also I had fram filter installed before switching to Toyota filter so I could not use cap wrench on it.

 

How to you find putting on the filter? I'm currently removing the filter from the bottom which is a bit of a hassle because you have to remove the bottom piece.

 

- I drop the wrench with my right hand (where the red box is).
- Then I lower the left hand (where the yellow box is).
- Now I am able to grab the wrench with both hands and can also feel the filter (I cannot see anything).
- Using the feel of the filter and wrench with my hands, I tighten the wrench on the filter.
- Once the wrench has the grip, I turn it using the right hand while keeping left hand fingers where the wrench grips the filter to keep it from slipping off.

If you are losening the filter you will need to drop the wrench with opening facing upwards (to turn counter clockwise). If you are tightening it, you will need to drop it so the opening is facing downwards (to turn clockwise).

 

I used a 75-77 filter wrench cap, it woudlnt fit correctly on my toyota oil filter, so I put some rubber bands around the filter to make the fitment of the cap better. After many failed attempts from the bottom I tried it from the top and got it off immediately. lol Whatever works I suppose.

 

I have two different-sized filter end-cap tools, so there must have been two sizes to Toyota/Lexus OEM oil filters. When I buy a filter, I always buy a matching filter end-cap tool, either at the Toyota dealer where I got the filters, or at the local auto parts store, if I don't already have one that fits.

 

A 74-76mm cap wrench is perfect. pop it on by hand. get out your socket and you're done. 30 seconds filter changed. Learned that the hard way this weekend... i always hear my dad in the back of my head telling me to get the right tool for the job.

 

You can get the right size cup from Advanced Auto Parts.

I posted the part number a while back.

Salim

 

yeah, Advance is where I got mine.