Ford Quick connect fuel lines...

[cbehnken]

I tried replacing my fuel filter yesterday and the ends of it broke off in the lines. It turns out the little steel spacer collar inside the fitting was siezed to the old filter. Well after 3 hours of trying to get the ends out I finally screwed a rat tail file into them and pulled them out. This of course pull the retaining springs/clips out of the fittings two. Well I went to Napa and picked up some retaining clips. I put one o-ring then the hard o-ring then another o-ring(bought new o-rings too) and finally the steel spacer back into each line(one exiting the gas tank and the one going to the engine). I am pretty sure that is the way it was assembled before. Well so far so good but then I tried putting the retaining clips into the lines. Is there some trick to this or do napa 10.5 mm clips not fit a ranger's lines? We struggled for 2 hours trying to get these things in but it is like they are too long and I tried cutting some off of one of them and then the filter would just pull the clip back out with it if you tugged on it. Do I need a tool to install these or just oem clips? Or am I screwed...please help I am without a car!

Thanks!
if anyone has a diagram of this assembly please email it to cbehnken@hotmail.com
Chris Behnken

[Needforspeed368]

Unfortunantly you'll have to get the Ford-specific clips to work with that fuel filter, since it's an OEM replacement. That also means you need the Fuel Line Quick Disconnect Tool from Auto Zone or Advance Auto Parts to connect and disconnect it. It's a plastic sleve-type tool that slips under the clips to open it up so the fuel filter will go in. Go to Ford and get some clips, or try AutoZone. Not sure if they carry them though.

[cbehnken]

Ford doesn't have or won't sell the clips I speak of. Remember these are internal clips. I do have the disconnect tool. I called a ford dealer and ended up buying two new lines at 35 bucks a piece. They said if the spring inside the line gets damaged then you can't fix them, you have to buy new lines. So as a word to the wise, antiseize the outside of the filter nipples so they don't get stuck in the collar inside the quick fitting(don't use so much that the o-rings won't scrape it off so that none gets into your engine.