Do yourself a favor......

[974X4BLACKSPORT]

I have been working on cars since I was 10yo! Yes thats right, I did my first engine swap on a 66 C10 (L6/three on the tree), with the help of my dad, or rather I was helping him more like, anyways...your probably wondering what this is all about "Do yourself a favor", this brings a piece of advice to those new to working on mechanical things, and also to those with much experience. Do yourself a favor when it comes to needing special tools to do the job right, this involves the quality and cost of special tools, DO NOT go the cheap route trying to save money, spend the extra money first and get the good quality tools to save yourself frustration in the long run, this is advice I constantly tell myself but also sometime even forget too, I do not like being a cheap skate, but I also do not like spending more money than I have too (nobody does). Sure by now your wondering why this is in the 95-01 section, and it all boils down to the fuel line fittings used by not just FORD, but by many other makers also, if you have to get the special tool to release the fittings, do not by the cheap ones, look carefully and compare them, they may say they do the same job, but differ drastically in quality. After struggling underneath my Explorer to change the fuel filter which should be 15 min. job, is now taking all day having to go back to the auto parts store and get the "BETTER" fitting tool, after struggling an hour with a crap quality cheap PIECE OF %$#! tool. My 97 is pristine underneath, no rust, dirt, mud, to get in the way, and so far it has taken 3 hrs and the old filter is not even off yet!

 

[WormsExplorer]

OUCH That is a long time to get a fuel filter out. But I have to agree with you about that and tools. The cheap ones may work but for how long?!?! How well with a Socket hold up under pressure. A ton of things can happen. I do what I can to not go the cheapo route when dealing with Tools.

 

[974X4BLACKSPORT]

After going back to the parts store today and returning the cheapy plastic fuel line tool, I upgraded to a better quality more expensive plastic fuel line tool (assortment of sizes) and after returning home it took only seconds to separate the fuel lines from the filter. I am used to GM fuel filter lines, all of the ones on my cars have been steel lines with flare fittings that simply unbolt, however we live and learn.

 

[RangerX]

I need to change my filter soon, can you tell us the good brand, or even post a pic?

 

[974X4BLACKSPORT]

The one I got is an assortment from big to small fuel lines and they are arranged on a handy storage "stick"

The small yellow one is for the fuel filter line fittings, worked real well with the little handle, the line immediately released when it was inserted and then the line was able to slide right off. They where about 20 bucks. The first ones I bought where only 10 buck san so frigging cheapy made, I struggled for an hour trying to get the line off to no avail, then returned them and got the ones above. Dont make the same mistake I made.

 

[allmyEXes]

I finally purchased a disconnect tool that works too. I like the color coded feature and the handle to twist it while you pull of those. What/which parts store did those come from ?

 

[974X4BLACKSPORT]

I got the first set of fuel line quick disconnect tools from O Reilly's, they where very helpful and accepted my return of the cheapy tools I first purchased without hesitation, the higher quality one cost double (about $20), all I had to do was pay the difference. The round part on the "cheapy" tool was so thin it would not move the spring out of the way to release the fuel fitting. It is a very visible difference in the better quality tool in the thickness of the plastic, and the plastic is a much stronger feeling also.

 

[WormsExplorer]

The Fuel Line tool I got is a metal one that looks like an "X" with two different sizes on either end. Have had no problems with her getting fuel line disconnected with this tool.

 

[974X4BLACKSPORT]

Yea, I saw the metal one that is like an "x", it looked like a decent quality piece, I wanted to get that one but it looked like it might get tricky to use in tight spots.

 

[Mbrooks420]

You mean I’m not supposed to physically rip them apart and then reconnect then with inappropriate hose clamps on a non-gasoline rated hose?

 

[974X4BLACKSPORT]

Oh, trust me, I was very tempted to cut the lines and put in steel lines with flare connections, however, the truck is just too clean underneath to change anything!

 

[massacre]

Good quality tools are so important. Glad you got it done

 

[Blown]

But then again, Harbor Freight has it's place cause some tools, I'll only use once or twice.

 

[massacre]

True. Not everything has to be snap on

 

[Mitchs07explorer]

I've spent a ton of money on quick connect disconnect tools, ironically the one that worked the best was the pen cap from a standard sharpie pen that I cut, worked perfectly lol. But I do know what you're saying, a couple extra bucks might save you time, anguish and money in the long run.

 

[Blk2kXLT]

Metal one +1, I also had issues with using the cheap plastic disconnect tools.

 

[massacre]

I have plastic and metal ones.

 

[MAS Tequila]

I have both, a 'good' set of metal ones and a cheapo HF set.

When changing out most of my AC system the 'good' set was useless, while the HF cheapo worked like a charm.

 

[allmyEXes]

Last time I disconnected the '92 fuel lines, I used the metal "X" type, I was standing over the fuel pump access panel and had a straight shot at it.

 

[allmyEXes]

Burns did this 11.5 years ago.
How to: 1st Gen Gas Tank Fuel Pump Access Panel
another guy did this on a 1995-2001
How to: - Fuel Pump Access Door