What purpose do these serve? Are they supposed to hold some kind of "j"clip that attaches the collar to the tube? The mustang monthly article I've read doesn't go into much detail and none of the 65 diagrams I've seen clearly indicate how they are attach the collar to the tube.

I disassembled mine to have everything painted.

http://www.mustangmonthly.com/techar...ild/index.html