I took my truck to the dealer a few years ago specifically because I didn't want that blue clip broken because I heard other people on here saying how difficult it was to get out the first time and many people broke it. I heard Ford had a new style clip too and assumed they'd replace mine with that. Well, today I replaced my filter with a Wix brand and what do I see?...yes, the blue clip, broken off! I was able to stick the fuel line tool over the line and release it just like the front one. Why didn't they just do the same thing they did in the back that they did in the front? Anyway, after I had the line out, I used needle nose pliers to remove the blue clip. I assume it holds the line in place by that ridge on the clip. I was surprised the line stayed in place but I guess the way the clip is made, it'll hold it even broke? I replaced the blue clip with the other clip seen in the photo. It's the one Wix provides with the new filter. Has anyone else used this Wix clip? The only way I could see that it works is you press the fuel line in and back as far as it'll go and then you slide this clip in so that the ridge in the fuel filter presses up against the clip and stops it from coming out - correct? I hope it comes out easy enough the next time. It went in kinda hard. But maybe I'll have a new truck by then, who knows ;-)

Blue clip (broken) on right. Flip the blue clip upside down to orientate it right so you can picture how it rests in the fuel line compared to the Wix clip to the left. The Wix clip on the left, the bottom part in the photo is what gets inserted into the fuel line where the rear of the filter is.

 

I have been using the white clips since 2006.

I trim the "foot" off of the bottom of the clip at an angle, it is about 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch. The clip is almost flush when installed. It's easy to remove and replace the clips.

 

Blue clips are of equivalent to the junk clips on headlamp socket wiring harnesses, need to be delicate. May as well use aftermarket alternatives.

 

If you use the proper fuel line tool the blue clip opens right up, piece of cake. Don't even need to touch it.

 

Oh I broke the blue and orange clip on mine. Everything's fine 11k miles later

 

Here's the Wix clip, trimmed the way XL1200Ltd-Keith does it as he mentioned above (this is his picture). I see he trimmed off the piece on the side that sticks out as well as the tips of the clips so it doesn't try to wrap itself around the fuel line. I assume this makes them easier to get out. Hopefully mine won't be so bad. I put them in just the way that came out of the box. I pulled on the line and twisted it to make sure it was seated well and it's in there good. I wish though they had done the same thing they did in the front for the back. Would have been easier, more consistent. The front has the internal clips that you need to use the tool for, plus an external clip that keeps the line from backing out, just in case.

Here's XL1200Ltd-Keith's photo.

 

The reason that I cut the tips off is so that the clip will wrap securely around the flange on the fuel filter and seat into the bottom of the fitting. When left long they do not fit (seat) completely into the fitting.


I have over 150,000 miles / 7 years using the white clips with this method.