Steelebrook Aero Tools

We know it’s important to inspect the pleats inside aviation oil filters for wear particulates and other foreign material but this can be a messy job. Cutting the filter open, removing and spreading out the filter pleats with residue oil flying in all directions – no wonder we sometimes neglect this important maintenance chore.

Is there an easier and less messy way? You bet there is! 

Introducing the Steelebrook Oil Filter Change and Inspection Kit.  This innovative system consists of a handy oil drain tray with hose assembly that slips and under the oil filter as the filter is removed from the engine, a heavy gauge aluminum oil filter inspection catch pan with an integrated filter holder, an easy to use oil filter cutting tool and a particulate removing spray bottle.

The oil drain tray is equipped with a securing chain that slips over the filter to position the tray below the filter and allows the filter to be turned and removed. A 3-foot drain hose is attached to the rear of the drain tray to direct oil into a container below the engine or aircraft.

The round 16-inch aluminum filter inspection tray integrates a bench vice hex on the bottom of the pan and a spin on filter holder with adaptors that will fit all common aviation oil filters. The inspection pan is simply chucked up in a vice and the filter is screwed into the holder, ready for cutting.

The filter-cutting tool employs seven cutting blades and assures a quick and easy filter cutting experience. 

When the filter has been cut and the inner filter unit lifted out , the remnants of the filter can is removed from the holder and the inner unit is loosely positioned over the holder for spraying and inspection.

The spray bottle is used to spray kerosene or another solvent forcefully into the filter pleats to dislodge any particulates or other foreign material from the pleats and into the inspection pan. Once in the pan, the material can be spread out and inspected.

Note: Some mechanics prefer to physically remove the filter pleats from the metal frame and open the pleats for inspection. Of course, this can be done with the pleats spread out around the inspection pan but we don’t recommend it.  The pleats are difficult to remove and the metal pleat frame may have sharp edges that invite injury.  The solvent spray procedure outlined above is very effective and is recommended by several oil filter manufacturers. The spray procedure is the one we recommend and use ourselves.

Note: We have re-designed the above oil drain tray with a slightly different tray and with the drain port passing through the bottom of the tray for better oil flow. An updated photo will be posted soon.

    Download Oil Filter Change and Inspection Manual in PDF Format

Note on the manual: We are in the process of revising our manual for this kit with the addition of a "photo page" with the photo numbers referenced to the steps in the manual. We'll post the latest revision here soon.

Steelebrook oil Filter Change and Inspection Kit 

 Price - $64.

Individual items sold separately

Oil  filter cutting tool - $34.50;  Oil filter inspection pan - $22.50;  

Oil drain tray - $14.50

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