Alright, I am right now very frustrated. I tried last fall to remove my fuel filteron a 98 blazer and could not w/o any damage. So now that the weather has broke I attempted again. For the last few days I have sprayed a penitrating oil on the fittings, for the prep. Today I tried again to remove the filter and only ran into the line wrenches having a difficult time seating. After a few frustrating minutes I tried to seperated the filter. only once again to have only the fuel line move. not to mention the nut on the fuel line starting to round off. any suggestions on removal and what are the properwrench sizes to use. THANKS for ideas.

 

not to sound like a dick but are you sure you are turning them both the correct direction. it can be slightly confusing. they should turn in opposit directions, the fule filter should be turned clockwise and the line should be counter-clockwise if i remember correctly. i only ask because i fed it up on my jimmy and couldnt get it off had me all frustrated then i realised i was turning them the wrong way, DOH!

 

They can be a real bi*ch to get loose. My shadetree mechanic gave up on my 1995 Blazer. So I took it to the garage down the road. He tried for about 30 minutes, then gave up, cussing like a sailor! "Get that FN thing out of here!" Finally, another garage managed to get it off. They tend to really freeze up over time.

 

I just took mine off and it was a bitch. When loosening, there are two swivel points..One where the threads are and the outside of the fitting..
On the "OUT" side of the filter I was able to crack the threads but the outside of the fitting wopuld not budge resulting in a twisting fuel lione..
The "IN" side of the filter was cracked at the threads AND outside of the fitting so I removed that side first, then unscrewed the filter by hand..
If you can crack the threads and oputside on one side and only the threads on the other side you should be able to get it off.Hopefully you are using a lift so you dont drink gas like me, but hey whatever it takes to get it doine
Also try vise grips on the filter nut and a wrech or adjustable on the fitting nut if its rounding out.

 

you can put a jack under the wrench that has to trun counter-clockwise but be careful this can apply ALOT of force, several thousand pounds very easily and posibly tens of thousands depending on the length of your wrench. so if it doesnt com off easily this way then something is wrong. dont just keep jacking. you still have to hold the other nut with a wrench to keep it from rotating. i had to do this on my jimmy. and i dont what to hear about how dangerous it is or that its a bad idea. it works and you must be careful as i said.

 

I had the same problem on my 98. I ended up rounding off the hex head, now I have to change filters using a vise-grip... [sm=smiley17.gif]

 

I would severely caution against this! If you need more leverage, simply interlock two wrenches together.

I know that someone already stated that they were using line wrenches, but are you using metric or standard? I believe that there is actually a mix of the appropriate sizes. I have two sets of line wrenches and I distinctly remember having to use a wrench from both sets when I changed mine and I used the wrench that fit the tightest possible.

 

so basically, you have to squeeze under the truck, lock a pair of vise grips on the filter nut, and while pulling down on the grips, jack up with a hydrolic right?Makes sense but seems difficult..

 

I you strip out the nut with a wrench, try an adjustible wrench, if you strip it out with an adjustible try it with a pair of new heavy duty Craftsman pliers with sharp teeth..If that strips, try it with vise grips squeezed beyond belief.. and if that doesnt work, buy a pipe cutter, cut the tube, remove the fitting and replace, and buy a length of 4 inch pressure fuel line hose and connect the two metal lines with the hose and hosde clamps/w the new fitting..
This is all my opinion. you guys can duke it outBy the way I heard gorilla ***** surgically implanted in man gave him good gains..sorry

 

Not for nothing, but I too have had little luck getting my '96 filter off, then it struck me, WHY can't I just cut the filter in two with a sawzall or a hacksaw blade, thus freeing both ends of the fuel lines, this way you can hold the fuel line steady (that should be a 5/8" wrench) while you turn the fuel filter out (which I believe is a 20MM OEM size). To turn the fuel filter you can drill a hole through it and stick a screw driver or steel rod in it, OR grab it with a big monkey wrench. Going a bit further, why not cut the filter so only the fuel filter nut is left.The only problem I see with this approach is there really isn't much room under there to swing wrenches even when the car is up on ramps. Oh, my kingdom for a lift. Sighhhhhh, someday. I can dream can't I!.

BTW: I haven't actually done any of this YET, but I am going to try it very soon. For safety's sake I'd make a small cut or drill a small hole in the filter and let it drain before any serious cutting is attempted and of course, I'd let it air out some after it drained.