Breadfan
05-30-2009, 11:39 AM
Today while removing my fuel filter for routine change-out, I finally broke my oem clips. I guess it was due to time I've gotten by a few times now without any issues.
I did not break the "legs" on them, that do the retaining job, but the top portion that makes the "U" shape. With this broken, the legs would fall out.
I realized that's all that did - if the legs would say in, the retaining factor on the fuel lines would remain.
So I took some small cable ties, which by themselves are much stronger than the OEM clips. I put them around the broken clips - I chose small ones because they actually fit inside the grooves meaning the cable tie has no chance of falling off.
I did this one both, and tested the fuel lines - they are in deed secure, and the cable ties are tight and I cannot slide them off - they will have to be cut off to be removed. Considering they are stronger than the plastic of the oem clips, I don't see how they are any more susceptible to damage, and therefore I'm comfrotable in this fix.
Here's pics - you can see where the "across" portion of the "U" of each clip had cracked and broke, the "legs" of the U were undamaged, thus why this was possible:
http://www.ionicflux.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/IMG_0072rs.JPG
http://www.ionicflux.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/IMG_0075rs.JPG
I did not break the "legs" on them, that do the retaining job, but the top portion that makes the "U" shape. With this broken, the legs would fall out.
I realized that's all that did - if the legs would say in, the retaining factor on the fuel lines would remain.
So I took some small cable ties, which by themselves are much stronger than the OEM clips. I put them around the broken clips - I chose small ones because they actually fit inside the grooves meaning the cable tie has no chance of falling off.
I did this one both, and tested the fuel lines - they are in deed secure, and the cable ties are tight and I cannot slide them off - they will have to be cut off to be removed. Considering they are stronger than the plastic of the oem clips, I don't see how they are any more susceptible to damage, and therefore I'm comfrotable in this fix.
Here's pics - you can see where the "across" portion of the "U" of each clip had cracked and broke, the "legs" of the U were undamaged, thus why this was possible:
http://www.ionicflux.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/IMG_0072rs.JPG
http://www.ionicflux.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/IMG_0075rs.JPG