Fuel Filter Driving Me Crazy, Need Help

[87grandnat]

OK I CANT GET MY FUEL FILTER BACK ON THE BOLT ON THE FAR SIDE REFUSES TO GO IN, EVERY TIME I GET IT STARTED WITH MY FINGERS TO WERE I CAN TTURN IT NO MORE SO I HAVE TO USE A WRENCH IT WILL JUMP OUT, CAN ANYONE PLEASE HELP ME BEFORE I GIVE UP

 

[49-blues]

Try using a thread chaser?

 

[87grandnat]

whats that

 

[87grandnat]

i cant get the damn thing to go in there perfectly straight so when i start to tightne it it pops out

 

[MSDGN]

If you have the filter tightened down in the clamp then loosen it so the filter can move...you need to angle it a bit to get both lines in...start one line just barely finger tight then start the other line...once both are in then tighten everything up...

 

[49-blues]

A thread chaser will clean up the threads for easier installation but not take too much metal out like a tap would do.You could usually pick up a set of 5 or 6 in the HELP section at your local auto store.for under $10.00

 

[Ken Cunningham]

Some are a real pain in the $$ to line up. I have had 3 TR's and 2 of them were OK, but my 87 GN was a bear.

If they line up OK, you can do this job with the car on its wheels. But if you have misaligned lines like yours, you want to lift your car up so you can get underneath and really eyeball the lines. You've got to be able to see just how the nut is going cock-eyed so you can apply counter force.

Like MSDGN said, do not tighten up the clamp. If you can tell which side is most out of whack, get that side just barely started first, then get the other started, then tighten each side, then put the surrounding clamp on. Good luck.

 

[Kyle F]

On my TTA, I had to put it up in the Air. I made sure to hit the bolts with PB Blaster(or WD40 could be used). This thends to pentrate any rust or gunk that set up on the threads, then act as a antiseze when installed.

I had to put the filter in with the clamp very loose. Start both sides, then tighten it up with a line wrench(very important to tighten things straightly) and a large ajustable wrench on the filter( I think I had to place the ajustable wrench on the opposite side of where I was tightening the line in).

After I did this it came together fairly easily.

The simple things can really be a bnear sometimes. Always figure to double any time you think its going to take to complete anything. SAomethign always goes wrong.

 

[87grandnat]

well i have given up for today, the other side is already in i was going to change the filter but could only get one side off so i figured i would put it back on and take it somewere to get it done, well now i cant get the side that i took off back on i will try some wd40 tomorrow and see if that makes it any easier, plus im doing this in my driveway so i dont have a lift or anything, but boy i tell you i will know better next time

 

[87grandnat]

i get it started and think that i got it, but then i tighten it up and the dang thing pops out, thats whats driving me bananas

 

[2QWIK4U]

sounds like you may have stripped the threads in the filter and if so you'll never get it straight now.You may want to get another new filter and give it a try

 

[87grandnat]

yeah i have one ready to go but i could not get the other bolt off and its starting to strip so i didnt want to totally ruin it, thats why im trying to get the other end back on

 

[Kyle F]

Any penetrating oil(PB Blaster, WD40 etc) needs to set for a period of time. If you can let it set overnight, it is best.


If you are having trouble with the bolts, make sure you are using a line wrench. The right tool is always important.
Also make sure you are holding the filter inplace with a regular ajustable wrench.

 

[87grandnat]

ok thanks for the tip