Well, My boy thought he knew what he was doing, but I caught his screw up halfway through.
He took the clips off the fuel filter and was pulling on the filter without the tool, and he bent the clip inside. I put the tool on the other side and showed him, but the other side was screwed the clip was sticking out. Somebody please tell me I can replace that clip, and not have to replace the whole line.

Truck is a 92 F-150 4x4 5.0

 

Somewhere in some catalog recently I saw replacement retainers for your problem. Sorry I can't remember where but they do exist.

 

Sure your boy did it.
And mine drank all my beer! (hick-up)

 

Forever: I'm sure my boy did it. My F-250 Is on the road and workin just fine. While his is sitting under a tree.

Thanks Nitro: I'm trying a Google search to locate those retainer clips.

Anybody else got any info. ?

 

I'm not sure the clip is even necessary. I think it is just a redundant safety. I assume you are talking about the part that goes over the garter spring housing and not the spring housing itself. Seems to me that clip is kind'a loose anyway. At least on mine it was.

If nothing else, just clean the area with alcohol and go to duct tape!

 

clips are available in those help packs at your local autoparts store. been there done that!

 

Tiger: Not the outer clips, You said the Garter spring housing, then the garter spring is what was damaged. The spring or clip that the fuel line tool releases to slide the filter out.

 

I'm not sure what you could do. Maybe cut the line on the damaged side and put a barbed, high pressure fuel fitting on the hose and then get a replacement fuel line end from a junkyard?? Your best bet would be too call a Ford dealers parts department, then you'll know for sure if the part you want exists seperately. I have a feeling they will try to sell you that entire half of the fuel line.

-Jon

 

Well the first time I called the dealer (yesterday) they told me I had to replace the whole line, and said some you have to replace the sending unit also because it was all one part. BULL*****!!! I finally found out they do sell just the ret. clip $1.25 So I called them back today and asked for the parts manager, and gave him *****, told him he needs to train his people a little bit better. He looked it up on the comp. and there it was. I think the part is called Fuel Filter Retaining Clip. Two sizes sm. an lg. What a relief I thought I was going to have to pay the big bucks for the whole deal.

Thanks For everyones help on this problem.

 

Guys, I did a search regarding my problem with my garter spring when replacing my fuel filter. I found this thread from 2.5 years ago (the most recent and informative) and was hoping someone here could provide some insight.

I'm looking for a new retainer spring. I've laready tried wrecking yards, Ford, parts stores, etc., to no avail.

 

TJF: Hope you were able to find a replacement fuel line spring clip.
I buggered up one of mine a couple years ago. (Was in a hurry & actually forgot I needed the tool.) Anyway, I could not find a suitable replacement ANYWHERE. Took me a couple hours to get the bad spring clip out of the hose coupling. I drove it without the inner spring for about a year. (Wrapped a nylon wire tie around it to make me feel better.) never saw any leakage.
Last year I went ahead & replaced the fuel line assembly- supply & return lines are packaged together. The job is not near as bad as it looks. Cost about $135 from my friendly Ford parts dept.

 

if you just need the springs, go to a junk yard. alot of ford vehicles use them on fuel lines and AC lines. take the tool so you know what size to get. I know my stang uses the same on the fuel and ac line as my truck.