Author Topic: Spanner for leaking oil filter connection  (Read 5052 times)

jedwards

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Spanner for leaking oil filter connection
« on: August 05, 2014, 09:58:49 »
Gentlemen,
My car has developed a oil leak where the oil tube joins the oil filter housing.  The securing nut seems to be 27mm but none of my tools can get in there to unscrew it. Crows foot spinners of that size seem to be around $100 each!  Any hints on now best to loosen this nut?

mdsalemi

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Re: Spanner for leaking oil filter connection
« Reply #1 on: August 05, 2014, 14:09:56 »
I did a quick search and found 27mm crow's foot wrench heads for ½" ratchets in the USD $6-$8 range; that's new. With shipping to Perth that would still be a mere fraction of the price you are finding.
I don't know if that will precisely solve your problem, but is there an independent mechanic around that you could go to and watch him? Maybe I'm just lucky but there are a few around here I could go to with this problem and they'd be willing to lend a wrench or recommendation for a few moments.
Michael Salemi
Davidson, North Carolina (Charlotte Area) USA
1969 280SL (USA-Spec)
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
2023 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid "Area 51"
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid
2024 Ford Mustang Mach Ex PEV

garymand

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Re: Spanner for leaking oil filter connection
« Reply #2 on: August 05, 2014, 16:00:03 »
I sacraficed an open end wrench and drilled a hole then filed it square to fit a 3/8 drive, then ground the jaw sides to allow more rotation.  I've never used it since, but it brings a smile every time I spot it in my assortment of specialized tools.
Gary
Early 250SL German version owned since 71, C320, R350, 89 Porsche 944 Turbo S

mdsalemi

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Re: Spanner for leaking oil filter connection
« Reply #3 on: August 05, 2014, 16:44:10 »
I sacraficed an open end wrench and drilled a hole then filed it square to fit a 3/8 drive, then ground the jaw sides to allow more rotation.  I've never used it since, but it brings a smile every time I spot it in my assortment of specialized tools.
Gary, if you will do all that to save $8, I've got a lot of work for you here... ;D
Michael Salemi
Davidson, North Carolina (Charlotte Area) USA
1969 280SL (USA-Spec)
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
2023 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid "Area 51"
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid
2024 Ford Mustang Mach Ex PEV

Rolf-Dieter ✝︎

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Re: Spanner for leaking oil filter connection
« Reply #4 on: August 05, 2014, 16:46:08 »
Hi Gary,

Your post reminds me of my apprenticeship in a Germany, many many moons ago when I ask my Master for a special tool needed he would point to the steel storage area and look over his glasses at me and say "material you find over there (and he would point to the shelves) make one"
DD 2011 SL 63 AMG and my 69 Pagoda 280 SL

garymand

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Re: Spanner for leaking oil filter connection
« Reply #5 on: August 05, 2014, 20:16:01 »
That's how I learned it.  I had an old Irish neighbor who was a tile and brick layer.  I needed a thin blade to do something and the one I had in my hand was too wide.  I was getting ready to go buy the right one and he said "you got more than one of those, just modify it to work, why waste time?  Before that, I never thought of modifying, just sharpening.

And, I think I went to all that trouble because I didn't know where to buy a metric crows foot 30 years ago.  I had bought a 190SL from a German engineering teacher at Berkley.  He gave me his old tool box with a good assortment of nice older German tools .  I think he said "you're going to need this."  That wench was one of them.  I don't have the 190 but I still have the tools.
Gary
Early 250SL German version owned since 71, C320, R350, 89 Porsche 944 Turbo S

Bonnyboy

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Re: Spanner for leaking oil filter connection
« Reply #6 on: August 05, 2014, 21:03:13 »
Regarding making tools,  I have been known to frequent garage sales and out of that I now have 3 filing cabinets (2 small 1 large) and 4 multi drawer cabinets full of various items that cost me next to nothing but could be useful someday.  The handiest thing is the filing cabinets as I just dump things into them (in an orderly manner) and when something breaks I always check there first.  With a welder and a grinder and a tap & die and a drillpress and all my other tools there is not much I can't fabricate on the fly.   The things I look for include the following:   anything brass, copper stainless or mild steel.  Cast iron is not kept.  Round and square tubing cut to lengths, ready rod, any size, dowling - wood and metal,  screws, bolts and nuts of many types, sheets of metal such as copper and brass and tin, sheets of rubber and cork in varying thicknesses,old bearings, angle iron and wheels and jacks and   oh heck - I keep most anything that could be useful someday.  But most exciting is a big box of old tools that are made for cutting up and bending etc.  I only started collecting the custom tools after I got a few from a coworker's husband's estate - he built race cars from scratch and was a rolls royce mechanic by trade - he had the most interesting wrenches (missed that garage sale by 1 week - I got the dregs). 

At many garage sales there are free boxes and many times there are tools in them that have seen better days.      Last month I picked up a double ended adjustable wrench made in germany probably in the 60s.  The lady said that it probably came out of her late husband's car - early 60s 190sl.   And to add insult to injury the family took a whole truck load of metal pieces and tools and car parts to the recyclers last year to clear out the garage so the caregiver could park out of the rain - I bet they were all old mercedes parts as her husband was a german car mechanic.... 

Once I cleaned up the wrench I put it in my Pagoda tool kit - I call it my secret weapon. Its not in very good shape but its cool looking.
Ian
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garymand

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Re: Spanner for leaking oil filter connection
« Reply #7 on: August 05, 2014, 23:14:53 »
That sounds like the one tool he took out of the box.  It was in an S shape with an adjustible open end on each end of the S.  Kinda funny looking, and yes unique.
Gary
Early 250SL German version owned since 71, C320, R350, 89 Porsche 944 Turbo S

mdsalemi

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Re: Spanner for leaking oil filter connection
« Reply #8 on: August 06, 2014, 10:02:00 »
Well, I've been known to make tools when unavailable for certain. Years ago--late 1970s--the clutch failed on my [hot] Datsun 510; can't do the clutch w/o a clutch tool. Pre internet it wasn't easy finding these specialty tools. The local dealer had the tool, of course, but wouldn't sell them. I asked if I could see it; sure he says, come on over. I go to the service department, he brings the tool out. I whip out graph paper, a Starrett scale and calipers, and a pencil. I drew up the tool, gave the paper to Dad. He took it to the machine shop at the lab he worked at and the German machinists fabricated that tool flawlessly--even threw in a few extra things they knew I'd need.

Gotta love those skilled German machinists. That was not the only tool they ever made for us...with a stable of MGs, Austins frequently needing something....
Michael Salemi
Davidson, North Carolina (Charlotte Area) USA
1969 280SL (USA-Spec)
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
2023 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid "Area 51"
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid
2024 Ford Mustang Mach Ex PEV