[3500newtome]

I’m all excited to do my fuel filters today and find out I need a 28mm socket, which I don’t have. Plan to buy the long/deep socket, unless there’s a reason I should stay with the shorty?

I have the wobbly and about a six inch extension and hope these will be all the tools I’ll need.

I also bought the special tool for the water sensor on the rear chassis fuel filter.

Do I need any other special equipment?

 

[badunit]

Get a longer extension so you can fish it up by the cowl and above engine level, where you can get a better hold of the ratchet. I don't recall how long of an extension I use but here is a photo.

 

[Ltngdrvr]

I would stick to the short 28mm socket, and make sure it is a 6-point.

I personally don't use any extensions, put the socket directly on the ratchet and lean in to reach the filter cap, and use steady even pressure to unscrew it.

If you use the extensions and fish it up to the top of the firewall, make absolutely sure the socket stays square on the nut on the cap, it's very easy to mess it up.

And, lube the new o-ring for the filter cap, and be very careful not to pinch it when threading the cap back on. The cap should screw on easily by hand until it gets close to seated, if it doesn't you probably have the o-ring pinched in the threads.

Save the old one just in case, but let it dry out before trying to use it, the diesel fuel makes it swell.

 

[saxdogg]

Also make sure the old one comes off so you don't double ring it and leak like mad.....ask me how I know...

 

[Learjet]

Get a longer extension so you can fish it up by the cowl and above engine level, where you can get a better hold of the ratchet. I don't recall how long of an extension I use but here is a photo.

That is how I do it...no way..like someone suggested... am I putting that much pressure on the cap with my hand down near the filter...hard on back and really bad on hand/fingers if something lets loose. JMHO!

 

[gsbrockman]

I’m all excited to do my fuel filters today and find out I need a 28mm socket, which I don’t have. Plan to buy the long/deep socket, unless there’s a reason I should stay with the shorty?

I have the wobbly and about a six inch extension and hope these will be all the tools I’ll need.

I also bought the special tool for the water sensor on the rear chassis fuel filter.

Do I need any other special equipment?

If you have an 1 & 1/8” six point socket, that will work fine as well.

Since you have the Aisin transmission, you’ll need a little more room to work, due to the transmission dipstick proximity. @Ltngdrvr ‘s method works for him, but he has the 68RFE transmission.

Lots of good comments and pics on last page within this thread:

https://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/...ockman-getting-stuck-fuel-filter-cap-off.html

 

[3500newtome]

I went for the short 28 mm six point, and an extension set so if I need to combine the 4 and 10 inch I can do that. I’ll use it every year, I suppose.

Thanks for the info. With y’all’s help I did my oil change and the second time through was pretty quick. So I guess I can handle this!

 

[Lins]

That is how I do it...no way..like someone suggested... am I putting that much pressure on the cap with my hand down near the filter...hard on back and really bad on hand/fingers if something lets loose. JMHO!

The first time I changed the filters, I needed the extensions so I could get decent leverage. I just replaced them again this weekend and did it with no extensions.

 

[dieselbuilder]

The best suggestion to get the top cap off the fuel filter is to drive around and get the engine hot then pop the hood and loosen the cap it works better when the plastic is hot

 

[Ltngdrvr]

Well, after the first time the filter cap is removed, it will be easier to get off the next time, you just have to not overtighten it when you reinstall it.

 

[jasday]

Get a oil filter wrench as well to help you with the rear filter. Not sure what size I bought, but auto zone helped me get the correct size.

 

[zran22]

I recently made a how-to video on fuel filter replacement. In the description, you can check out which tools I used to get the job done such as the water separator sensor tool, and 12" oil filter wrench. https://youtu.be/ALzOoHftP9c

 

[Learjet]

Get a oil filter wrench as well to help you with the rear filter. Not sure what size I bought, but auto zone helped me get the correct size.

I used a rubber strap wrench and it worked well!

 

[jasday]

I really need to go buy the extentions for my ratchet. I just did my filters last week after driving 70min home from work. Engine was hot, temp outside was hot, humid as crap, busted my knuckles several times, almost fell off of the ladder I stand on to lean into the engine bay. Burned myself I dont know how many times. Still have the crick in my neck. Lol.

Get a longer extension so you can fish it up by the cowl and above engine level, where you can get a better hold of the ratchet. I don't recall how long of an extension I use but here is a photo.

That is how I do it...no way..like someone suggested... am I putting that much pressure on the cap with my hand down near the filter...hard on back and really bad on hand/fingers if something lets loose. JMHO!

 

[Ltngdrvr]

Unless it's an emergency, I don't work on a hot truck!

No maintenance that can't wait til later...

 

[SpoilRig406]

I used a rubber strap wrench and it worked well!

+1 I actually use a rubber strap wrench on both filters... has always worked better for me.

Had to use a socket and the rubber the first time I changed the front filter, was way over torqued.

 

[Monath]

On the rear filter just use an oil filter strap/wrench. For the engine bay filter just use a 1/2" drive ratchet and whatever size socket, you don't need any extensions.