torqshift external filter housing

Been trying to get the external filter housing loose for some time and the cast nut finally broke off. I've successfully change this filter a few times before but this time the cast nut just came right off. Not much room to work with in there. Any ideas on how to get it off without having to take the filter head out? I have a replacement housing and filter so destroying the old one isn't really a problem, as long as it comes off.

I wouldn't be avoiding taking the filter head out as much if it didn't seem to require some sort of special tool to unlock the connectors on the transmission side. I really just want this done and over with for now. It'll buy me some time to figure out some sort of replacement spin-on filter setup to go in place of the stocker.

I always heat the very top where the threads are with a mini butane torch

CTC DEEZUL said:

I always heat the very top where the threads are with a mini butane torch

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Yeah, I thought about heating it up but then told myself it might be crazy talk. Maybe heating it up some and using a big pipe wrench on the housing itself?

or a band wrench is what I use... you dont need oxy or acet, just a small butane torch used for soldering. heat it for about 5 minutes all around, should spin right off

Everyone I've talked to says to use an impact, or you will break the nut using a regular wrench...

Mdub707 said:

Everyone I've talked to says to use an impact, or you will break the nut using a regular wrench...

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Guess I got lucky, I just changed mine a few weeks ago and it came right off.

I think using heat and a pipe wrench would break it loose, good luck

I always use an impact wrench. Wrecked a few before I used that method. Don't hammer it hard, just let it vibrate against the housing and it has always let loose.

Did mine today...while working on my ongoing project, came right off with the imapct.

Mdub707 said:

Everyone I've talked to says to use an impact, or you will break the nut using a regular wrench...

Click to expand...

dzldoctor said:

I always use an impact wrench. Wrecked a few before I used that method. Don't hammer it hard, just let it vibrate against the housing and it has always let loose.

Click to expand...

I did use an impact. Never had much trouble til this one time when the cast nut broke right off. Tried a pipe wrench and some heat today and the only thing that moved was the filter head bracket as it bent out away from the frame. This is ridiculous.:cursing:

I guess I'll have to find whatever tool it is that disconnects the lines and take the whole assembly out. Kinda sucks.

the tools can be bought at any parts store, around here at least, NAPA carries them. MATCO has them too. I have a set....

http://www.northernautoparts.com/ProductModelDetail.cfm?ProductModelId=16115

CTC DEEZUL said:

the tools can be bought at any parts store, around here at least, NAPA carries them. MATCO has them too. I have a set....

http://www.northernautoparts.com/ProductModelDetail.cfm?ProductModelId=16115

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Appreciate the link. I made the rounds of the big three auto stores around here today and nobody seemed to have what I need. Could have drove around austin too, but who wants to do that on a friday? Not me. Guess I'll just be ordering these.

Thanks again!

I guess I got lucky. Mine came right off. I did the 08 pan and internal filter so now my external housing is empty so I never have to run into this.

chappy said:

I guess I got lucky. Mine came right off. I did the 08 pan and internal filter so now my external housing is empty so I never have to run into this.

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I plan on cutting the hoses a bit and getting jic fittings crimped on with some sort of spin on filter head setup. Probably something from cat. I really hate dealing with this bs.

chappy said:

I did the 08 pan and internal filter so now my external housing is empty so I never have to run into this.

Click to expand...

I also just did the upgrade to the '08 pan and filter (and installed a GoGo DC solenoid while I had the pan off).
But I decided it couldn't hurt to also keep the by-pass filter. Maybe I should unscrew the filter and put some never seize on the threads while it will still come off.

harbor freight even sells the disconnect tools but I have changed mine 3 times without issue just using a conventional socket and ratchet

Well, I finally messed with it yesterday. After taking the housing off with a pipe wrench while the filter head was in a vise, I realized the reason it was stuck on was the threads had some corrosion on them. Clean up the threads on the filter head, replacement housing, some anti-seize and its all good now.

Arctic Fox said:

I also just did the upgrade to the '08 pan and filter (and installed a GoGo DC solenoid while I had the pan off).
But I decided it couldn't hurt to also keep the by-pass filter. Maybe I should unscrew the filter and put some never seize on the threads while it will still come off.

Click to expand...

What's different on the 08 pan?

TxFireman1972 said:

What's different on the 08 pan?

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Yeah, I was wondering that myself.

Old post I know
but I stumbled on it doing a search.

most probably know by now but the 08 pan is different and is set up to use a real internal filter instead of the screen only like the previous models
this lets you get rid of the frame mount filter