I just made a cut in my bracket too. It still holds it, doesn't rattle or anything and it's been like 150,000 miles since I did that, no problems. I've changed it like 10 times since then and it's been very easy with the cut there.

 

I cut mine in the middle too. I drilled two holes on each side of the cut and I run some zip ties through them to hold the filter in tight. When it comes time to change the filter I snip the zip ties and pop the filter right out.

 

This thread made me go back and look to see when I changed mine last and sure enough it was time. What took about an 2 hours last time took 15 minutes this time. It was so much easier to snip the zip tie and pop the filter out of the bracket. I did notice while I was under there that I did cut a small section out of the bracket and only drilled one hole on each side of the bracket and used one larger zip tie to hold it closed tight.

 

Wow...So these folks have never heard of a line wrench? 15 min swap-same job as an 87 Suburban!

 

I think the folks are referring to getting the bracket out, not removing the fittings from the ends of the filter. I sure could have used line wrenches, cause I had the most trouble getting leverage to loosen the fittings.

One thing is clear. Somebody wanted it to be difficult to remove the holder and replace the filter--on a '96 Blazer anyway.

 

I had the same problem I just cut a line in it, it still holds the fuel filter

 

I feel your pain, I just did my filter this afternoon! getting the filter out of the bracket started out a pain in the ***, but I used a larger channel lock and simply moved from the inside to the bottom and back up to the inside, prying (squeezing) the inlet side of the filter and the black bracket together. Took 2 minutes to get it out, and mine was in there pretty good, too tight to turn! Upon install of the new one, I just coated it in old motor oil, and reinstalled with the same channel lock technique! Try it, you'll laugh at how easy it comes out!

 

One more. A small amont of never seeze on the threads. Line wrenches are what I have used and the angles and leverage is still a bitch. Not shure how hard it would be to swap over to the quick dissconnect style. Still think clogged filters burn pumps. Slit in the plastic is the way to go. 95