Yeah... my Bronco's the same way with the oil flter... it's got a hole on the underside that looks like it was meant for access but you can only get it out by dumping it on the way out from the top. Impossible to change the oil without spillage. And my neck still hurts from working the strap wrench into the only position possible to grasp the filter. Since when is an oil change an hour-long job?
The Subaru's filter is.... gee, positioned so it can be dropped right into the drain pan. Almost like they were thinking that it would need to be changed at some point by the owner.
-Chris
91SS 4EAT stock, 200k mi
91SS 5MT rebuilt engine waiting for a shell
93TW 4EAT, Forester lift, 3" TBE, 11psi, 200k mi
94SS 5MT4.11+rLSD 311k km: RobTune550,TD05-16g @ 18psi,FMIC,3"TBE,Forester lift