Hello, I'm new to this forum but I needed help with the replacement of my fuel filter on my 3.0 ffv; the problem I'm having is diconnecting the gas line from the fuel tank off the filter, which would've been simple if the filters inlet nipple didn't snap off and now it's not wanting to come off even though I've got my homemade quick disconnect tool in all the way and follow videos exactly. I did disconnect the other hose that goes to the engine which was a simple hose with a little clamp on it not sure if it's aftermarket. I could really use help from fellow Ranger owners, thanks for reading!

 

Welcome to the forum

No real tricks here for this, you may have to buy the metal disconnect tool, the plastic ones break and home made will work 99% of the time but not 100%

As far as the broken nipple inside, once tool is in place you should be able to put something in the tube, angle it for grip and pull it out, i.e. small screw driver

 

Okay so I just need to get the tool in position then pry out the broken piece?, I've read you could put a screw in it if it broke in order to yank it out, but I'll try the screw driver trick first. Thanks for the reply!

 

Broken piece should just fall out when fully released but yes correct size screw can thread in and grip inside of tube for removal

 

...this may not be the direction you want to go, but my disconnects did not want to disconnect no matter what tool I used. If you're unlucky like me, you may have to sacrifice the stubborn connector and replace it with a section of fuel line and hose clamps.

 

Yeah that's exactly what I did May no be the most perfect but it works fine enough and it makes it easier to change it again if I ever need to but I'll probably look at getting a new fuel line but a newer one that uses the clips instead i believe like the 2000+ models.

 

Okay I couldn't get the prong removed but like arctic wolf said just use some fuel line to link the pieces together and clamp the hose on and it works fine but I probably won't keep it permanently like that in case those clamps rust out I'll replace with a newer style fuel line that uses the clips instead. Hope we could help anyone else that may have a similar problem

 

Glad you got it sorted out.

In my opinion, connectors like that are just an excuse for an engineer to create a new tool that you have to buy. Not that I don't like buying tools, but why bother with some specialized crap?

 

All this quick connect stuff is done to speed things up on the assembly line.
Shoving a hose on and then tightening up a clamp takes time and you need a screw or nut driver.
The quick connect couplings require no tools to hook things up.

 

^ True, never thought of that. I'd like to know how much money ford saved with that, vs the hose clamp method.

 

Hard to say, but it doesn't matter when Fords bean counters are involved.
All car companies, not just Ford are always looking for a way to shave off time and to save a few pennies or nickels.
Over a period of 5 or 10 years, that can add up to thousands of dollars and then you have to take into account the interest accrued on that money.
Not just interest either, money is also reinvested in other interests outside the company.
So in the end that 5 or 10 cents per vehicle can have quite an impact _ Bean Counting...

 

TTY(torque-to-yield) heads bolts are used for the same reason
Gets expensive to calibrate torque wrenches to high torque rates

But turning a bolt head 90degs doesn't need much calibration, especially for a machine

Read a story a long time ago about Torx head screws, not sure if it was true though
It is a good head design but so is Hex or Robertson as far as torque for install and removal
Story was the company that came up with Torx GAVE companies, like Ford, the various sizes they needed for free, millions of screws.......free, who would say no?
Then sat back and sold the Torx drivers and sockets to mechanics to recoop costs and make a profit

 

If it isn't true, sure is convincing. Sounds kind of like Glock, who gives police departments free pistols and profits from the civilian market. Hmm.... I might have to do some thinking.... Maybe make my own get-rich-quick scheme....

 

Yeah, usually the simplest inventions are the ones that work the best.
Lots of get rich quick garbage out there too.
Look at all this useless kitchen junk out there, the inventor sells thousands of units one time until people realize what a bunch of crap it is.
Like Starfritt with all their stupid hand crank food processors and better can openers.
There's even one out there that you pull a string to get it to work _ pathetic...