fuel filter

[henry tanner]

has anyone else had problems with changing the fuel filter. both times i have changed the fuel filter i have broken off the side going t the engine. i ended up just puting a hose on that end. now mine and my friends st both are like that. it is the end that has the metal connection not the side that has the plastic ones. i did notice that my 03 has two lines coming from the tank. and my freind`s 05 only has one coming from the tank.

thanks

hdt

 

[Chris R 2]

I had quite a bit of trouble getting the To Engine cable off. In the end, only these parts from Advance Auto Parts ended up being worth anything.



<a href="http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_Fuel-Line-Filter-Tool-3-8%22-Autocraft_9010302-P_N3491_T%7CGRP2083_____" target="_newwindow">Autocraft 3/8" Fuel Line Filter Tool</a>



<a href="http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_Fuel-Line-Filter-Tool-5-16%22-Autocraft_9010301-P_N3491_T%7CGRP2083_____" target="_newwindow">Autocraft 5/16" Fuel Line Filter Tool</a>



The 2-in-1 scissor types proved to be not only useless, but also a significant waste of time. I bought two before I purchased the ones in the links above.

 

[Jerry Gerner 2]

I've only had the Anodized Aluminum tools work for me like linked about.:banana:

 

[swshawaii]

Chris, first try it was the wrong tool, second time it was the wrong size. :angry:



A neat trick to measure a round outside diameter without a caliper, is using an

open ended or a crescent wrench. (Sway bar, fuel line, etc.) Learned that here! :banana:

 

[Chris R 2]

hdt, if you purchase the 3/8 tool I linked, you'll set the tool around the filter connector and firmly push it into the fuel line receptacle. The mating edge of the tool is much thinner than the cheaper ones... easier to work with. That's the key to removing the filter.



I pushed the filter up into the line, pushed the tool in as far as it would go, then twisted the filter and pulled away from the line. If you keep one thumb on the tool and against the line the filter should come off easy.



Victory over the three-fanged-beast:



[Broken External Image]:

Chris, first try it was the wrong tool, second time it was the wrong size.



A neat trick to measure a round outside diameter without a caliper, is using an

open ended or a crescent wrench. (Sway bar, fuel line, etc.) Learned that here!

Yeah, having some knowledge or manner of measurements is quite handy lol. Elbow grease tends only to go so far, especially when one is under a vehicle already. I ended up purchasing a caliper off eBay, but it's inch only... I'll have to get a metric one considering about 90% of the ST seems to use metric items.



In retrospect, I should have just bought Sears' 1000 piece mechanics' tool set and been done with it.



Oh and today's project, #!@#! ES and "reuse hardware on the upper control arm bushings" guidance. No such luck, Ford's bushings are literally melted as a single unit for the UCA. I gave up (after torching didnt help), went to Advance Auto and bought the Dorman OE L/R UCA replacements. LCA are next and at least the kit includes all the parts for that phase of the job.



Also found out that being born with two arms is somewhat of a hinderance in some automotive respects.

 

[swshawaii]

Surprised you're not replacing the complete upper control arms.

Not as labor intensive, and includes new ball joints and bushings.

 

[Chris R 2]

Steve,



Sorry if I was ambiguous. I did buy the complete UCA Dorman parts. Advanced didn't carry the Moog complete arms locally, so I opted for the OE replacements. I may put together a project for the replacement if the site could benefit from it.



Some of the comments regarding the Dorman arms are correct, the ball joint pin outer diameter is larger than factory. In my case I had to do a little creative shoehorning but the install was much better than replacing the bushings would have been. The ball joint press didn't help for the UCA as well as it will for the LCA.

 

[swshawaii]

bought the Dorman OE L/R UCA replacements.

Chris, it was I who misread it. You should check alignment when everything is done.

Are you using camber kits on both the UCA's?



Sorry HDT for going way off topic and hijacking. I'm done.