I am attempting to change the fuel filter and I'm stuck. I removed the metal clips like the book said to but now what? the hoses don't seem to come off and I need the car for work in the morning. The hoses that they show look to be rubber but what I'm seeing on the vehicle are metal and i'm trying not to jack them up to much as this is my only transportation. I have a '99 V6 model if anyone can assist with some ideas on how to remove the hoses w/ pics or without it would be appreciated.

 

You might just need to pull harder on the hoses.With the clips removed the hoses should pull straight off the filter.

 

I believe that you need the "special tool" to release the spring clip inside the lines. Ford usually hung a "makeshift" or cheap version somewhere near the filter. Little plastic, black, I think, 2-piece thing held together with a small plastic "string". You put the 2 1/2's over the line and push it into it, this speads the spring out, releasing the line.

 

go to autozone and buy AC hose removal tools. they come in a 6 peice set. use the grey one. Slide the extnded end over to where it faces the fuel line. push that in and wait for it to click. when you hear it click that means that the tool has pushed the prongs out of the way. now push the filter towards the line. slide the tool a little further in, then pull out. repeat on other side.