Can we talk about my oil filter wrench fail

I spent six months using a strap wrench backwards on my 2004 Honda Civic, cranking it the wrong way until it stripped the filter housing. My buddy came over last Saturday to help with a brake job, saw me grab the tool, and just started laughing his head off. Anyone else ever do something boneheaded like that for way too long?

2 comments

2 Comments

ryan_stone18d ago

Ha! Oh man that is brutal but I've done the exact same kind of thing. I spent a good three months trying to get a stuck oil pan drain plug off by turning it clockwise because I was convinced my ratchet was set to "loosen" when it was really set to "tighten." Finally broke the bolt clean off and my neighbor just stared at me like I had three heads. The worst part is I had a whole toolbox full of the right tools but I was just too stubborn to ask for help.

thompson.tyler18d ago

Is it just me or does that kind of stubborn confidence bleed into everything? Like I'll spend twenty minutes pushing a door clearly marked "pull" because I'm already committed to the plan. The real kicker is how long it takes before you admit you might be wrong. Six months is impressive though. I think the brain just gets comfortable in its own little groove and anything that breaks that rhythm feels like an attack. Your buddy laughing is probably the best thing that could have happened. Sometimes you need someone to just point and laugh so you can snap out of it.