insomniac92 wrote:Cowboy Dave wrote:Did you try coming in via the wheel arch? I've heard of people doing that and finding it much easier.
That's the only way I could get mine out. After cursing for 10 minutes trying to figure out how to manipulate it through the maze without spilling its contents everywhere, I discovered you can just unclip the little rubber flap behind the drivers wheel and it just slides out.
Via the wheel arch is the way I ended up doing it too, after finally deciding that I didn't really much favour the idea of dis-assembling half the damn air intake plumbing trying to get it out through the top route. Judging by the amount of spilled old dried oil and grime coating the top side of the turbo outlet pipework though, I would have to say that the stealer's mech apprentices at Zupps Aspley must have been using the topside route though, for the vehicle's first two 'official' services. I also noticed that there is a drawing of a particular 'expanding jaw type' of filter removal tool shown in the Mitsui service manual. I would say that not having the 'approved' Mitsui removal device in my own tool box was a further complicating factor for me on this first attempt as I found that there's not a lot of space in there to try and squeeze in my own 'fik-fingers' and existing motley assortment of old filter tools, all of which seemed to be either just a little too long, or too thick to easily fit. So does anybody actually use the 'correct' expanding jaw type 'Mitsui filter tool'
and if so, has anybody discovered a link to a 'cheap' version of it on FleaBay....???
And smug '5th-ratio' Pajero owners needn't rub bl@%dy salt into the wounds either...!!
Quote: "Only two things are infinite: the Universe and human stupidity; and I really am not certain about the Universe !" - Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)
Until today, I had always credited the Pomms with the "worst engineering design award" for their non-accessability to engine oil filters but, after today's effort I think I've found a new contender for that title. Mitsubishi...! Maybe my hands and arms are just too much bigger than those of the typical smaller Asian mechanics to allow me to get into the tiny spaces they've designed around the filter but, surely they could have done a better design layout job for the position of it if they had given just a little more thought about ease of servicing...? Anyway, that's just my little rant now over and out of the way for today. 
I think I feel better now. 
