fuel filter stuck during change

[968]

anyone have advice on how to get a fuel filter off a 2000 model?
i've got one side/line free but the other is holding on for dear life.
i'm tired of laying under the car scratching my head. my hayne's book says to just pull straight back on the line and it will come off of the filter. it also doesn't say anything about the internal brackets that hold the filter nipples in the fuel line.
i've never seen a design like this. what happened to just having hoses and hose clamps?
i can see the internal bracket. it's loose enough that i can spin it around with my dental picks and i can pry each end of it just a little so i know it's not jammed. the whole filter can be spun around, so i know it's not stuck on the fuel line.
i've even tried a little wood shim and a small prybar. i started to bend the nipple on the fuel filter a little, so i stopped short of breaking anything.
it sure is a tight spot to work up there.

[968]

got it.

used a body clip remover tool and the wood wedge. just kept prying and turning the filter 1/4 turn. after a few turns, the thing popped right off. no biggie.

next time, it really will take 5 minutes.

[SaleenFiend]

There is a fuel line removal tool you are supposed to use.

[DarkShadows]

Quote: Originally Posted by SaleenFiend There is a fuel line removal tool you are supposed to use.

what he said, they sell them at auto parts stores for a couple bucks. just ask for the ford fuel lind dissconnect tool. makes your life a HELL of a lot easier

[SpectorV]

yea you need a 5/16 disconnect tool next time, makes it easier.

[968]

you'd like to think the auto parts store guys would have said that. or maybe that even the hayne's manual would have suggested it. haynes has been very disappointing. i wonder if chiltons is any better? i think a lot of this is just me working on my first ford. the last couple cars i've worked on were german and they are pretty much screws and bolts. no snap ons.
thanks for the tips. i guess next year, i'll buy that tool. hopefully won't need it until then.

[SaleenFiend]

Quote: Originally Posted by 968 you'd like to think the auto parts store guys would have said that. or maybe that even the hayne's manual would have suggested it. haynes has been very disappointing. i wonder if chiltons is any better? i think a lot of this is just me working on my first ford. the last couple cars i've worked on were german and they are pretty much screws and bolts. no snap ons. thanks for the tips. i guess next year, i'll buy that tool. hopefully won't need it until then.

I can get you a 2000 Ford Mustang Workshop Manual (Ford's Manual) - What techs @ Ford use. It will run you about $90-$100

[968]

thanks for the offer. i think i'll hold off for now.
besides my electrical gremlins, i'm pretty much through with my tune-up.