Short version of this review: I love this product. I will use it on my Enclave forever. For me, it's a 5+ stars product.
Long version:
I bought this tool because I was unable to remove an oil filter from my wife's Buick Enclave. I tried a lot of filter wrenches I already had and also a pair of filter pliers. It would not budge. I was extremely frustrated with the situation. Whoever the tech at the dealer was that put this thing on thought it was a bolt, not a filter. It was way over-tightened.
When I found this during my search for a solution, I posted a question and I got an answer from Motivx within a couple of hours. I bought it immediately. I am unbelievably happy that I did.
On my Enclave, you can only get 1 hand down to the filter. When you do, you can't see. I only have room for about a quarter turn or less. I was unsure how I was going to make this tool work when I removed it from the packaging. The way it works is you turn the "wrench" clockwise to expand the jaws enough to go over the filter end, and then start ratcheting. With my very limited room in this auto, I thought it was going to be difficult. It wasn't. Took me about 5 minutes to figure it out and remove the filter.
Attach the wrench to the socket. Move the socket to the tighten setting (not loosen). Why? So that I could use my right thumb and hold the jaws all the way open without the ratchet engaging. Lowered my right hand with the thumb holding the jaw into the small opening and slid it over the filter. Then released my thumb. Carefully moved my hand to the back of the ratchet to change the direction (twice, when I did this, I knocked the wrench off). Then I was free to start ratcheting. This thing grabs! And it didn't slip back when I had to ratchet back when I used up my miniscule turning of about a quarter turn or less.
I saw many questions asking if it cuts the filter. Well, my filter was really really really tight and this wrench did not slip (all my other wrenches did slip) and it did not dig into the filter. It didn't care that I had partially dented the filter earlier when I tried to use filter pliers. My other wrenches didn't even try to work once I had done that.
If my description of how I used it didn't make sense, don't worry. It works. I didn't completely understand either until the product came and I put it on my ratchet. I might try to make a video to demonstrate.
While on the topic of packaging, thank you so much for minimal packaging too!
| Brand | Motivx Tools |
|---|---|
| Material | Alloy Steel |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Head Style | Box End |
| Finish Type | Chrome Plated,Nickel Plated |
| Operation Mode | Mechanical |
| Manufacturer | Motivx Tools |
| UPC | 851808006462 |
| Part Number | MX2330B1 |
| Item Weight | 2.4 pounds |
| Package Dimensions | 9.1 x 6.5 x 3.7 inches |
| Item model number | MX2330B1 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Size | 2 Piece Set |
| Style | Traditional |
| Finish | Chrome Plated,Nickel Plated |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
