Decided today do do my first oil/ filter change on my 07. Drained oil okay then I set about the filter. I knew was awkward but hell its more than that. Had the recommended swivel head 27mm spanner to hand. As far as I can see its nearly impossible to change without removing a couple of bits under the bumper. Am I missing the obvious?
Anyway it started to rain so only got the oil changed. Tomorrow is another day.

You shouldn't need to remove anything. Once you've got the ratchet head on the oil filter canister it should be easy to do, albeit by only a fraction of a turn at a time.

You must be better than I am then. Getting the spanner on the filter housing is not the real problem, what I see as that is getting my hand in to get hold of it.
I read somewhere about doing it from above. I could get the spanner on the filter housing but no way to get a hand in there to grab it. I noticed the filter is at a slightly upward angle, does the oil drain out of this or on removal is it still full of oil due to a non reverse valve?
As from below I have a great big pipe crossing in the way and these 2 underbody plastic bits.
I will give it another go and if I struggle it is all your fault!

Use something like below (27 mm - articulated ring ratchet wrench), and you won't need to dismantle anything else.



Last edited by alex_pescaru on 20th Nov 2015 10:06 am. Edited 1 time in total

No need to remove anything and it is easier than it is made out to be. The approach is from below, the spanner should hang down, you kind of do it by feel. This is helpful http://www.freel2.com/forum/topic7840.html as hopefully is this http://www.freel2.com/forum/topic21722.html?highlight=lucky+girl
Keep us posted.

Have the spanner shown. Will give it a go when it stops raining. Can I now just change the filter without dumping the oil. Hoping most has gone back into the sump.

Why would you not change the oil, that's the easiest bit!?

Because he did it earlier today maybe

Yeah, I thought that after I sent it.

Bogart, I would change the filter (take note to check the smaller internal circular seal) then check the oil level. If at the correct level then it should be ok, might take a few seconds for the oil light to go out. I hope your wearing gloves!

As said earlier, you can't see what you are doing , it has to be by touch. Working from below is a bit fidly but do able.
Once you've done it you'll wonder what all the fuss was about.  Now at the point when I learn something new something old is lost out the other side !
Now retired so it doesn't matter anymore.
Freelander now gone.

This was how I fitted my 27mm swivel ratchet spanner on and undid it from underneath.

Click image to enlarge