When replacing my fuel filter, 1996 XJ, the fuel line from the tank was rotten. Cut back the cruddy part (Harbor Freight dollar or less scissors worked great) and finished the install. Looked up at the tank thinking about replacing it and that clamp looks like a pain. Also it is pretty rusty cruddy.

Any tips for cutting that upper clamp loose, a good tool for that or something?

I have some line for it already, and clamps.

Got the old filter out in the nick of time, fuel looked a little muddy on the tank side.

Maybe a dremel and then slicing the hose with a razor blade to get it off? I don't know if there is enough room for that.

Not worried about the hose and not sure about a Dremmel in there either. The hose attaches to a white plastic nipple.

Was wondering if anybody used those straight cut nipper cutters on this.

I must be a pretty bad explainer. Stopped at a shop that was recommended by another shop and asked for an "estimate to replace the rubber fuel line that runs from the gas tank to the fuel filter."

A tech was called to the front and I asked him the same thing. He went from "well if you have to drop the tank" (I doubt you have to, you can reach the fitting, hose, and clamp from under the vehicle). Then he went to "oh you mean the filler tube?" No, I mean the rubber fuel line that runs from the tank to the filter.

"Do those lines come with the pump?" I don't think so, and I have the line and clamps to install too.

"Well, it sound like an hour in labor, and our rate for that is $120"

I thanked him (their minimum labor charge is one hour) and decided I am going to figure this out myself.

Thinking if that clamp screw does not want to cooperate after a few careful applications of PB Blaster, I can use a little file I picked up at a hobby shop to cut it off. Deciding where to attack it, at the screw/scroll housing or at the band.

Just cut the clamp with a good pair of dykes. You will be OK

Something like these?
https://www.harborfreight.com/11-in-...ers-64086.html

And I thought I was only one of the few people that called them that.
Do you how many times I have said that to people and they just gave me that
slack jawed look not having a clue as to what I was talking about?

He said a good pair. LOL.
Have you even tried to get the clamp off?
Guessing it is a worm gear one. If so have tried a socket and not a screwdriver?

I just got done removing 3 much newer worm gear clamps (installed in the 21st century) from around the fuel filter. Started with a socket. That got 2 of the three. Third one was so corroded no socket I have fits it now. Moved up to some small diagonals I had handy, but no dice. Had to cut that last one off with my cheap but capable cable cutters, which used to be my rubber tube cutters too. They don't cut rubber tube very clean now, but a happy discovery was the Harbor Freight under a buck scissors cut rubber line just fine.

Havne't tried this last one yet, just planning for the worst. And would prefer a tool that I can use for other stuff too. Going to get under there and hit it with PB Blaster whenever I can as I run this tank of gas out. Hopefully the line will hold a little longer. It frayed when I clamped it to the fuel filter, so cut off an inch or so and clamped it there.

Side note: Discovered the fuel line clamps I got from O'Reilly look like stainless but are pretty magnetic. Need to shop around for some that are at least a stainless clamp and possibly replace the screw with a real stainless one from Ace Hardware.
This style clamp, kinda:

[QUOTE=Ralph77;3597161]And I thought I was only one of the few people that called them that.
Do you how many times I have said that to people and they just gave me that
slack jawed look not having a clue as to what I was talking about?



That is my politically incorrect statement for the day. Learned that before everyone got woke

sixpack.... one of the few things that I wish they still did on the 98+ XJs...is the filter being along the rail under the driver's side OUTSIDE of the friggin' tank... Worked on a 97 XJ before and that was so nice to be able to replace it right there. a hose clamp pre and post... and boom back and rolling down the road less than 5 mins later. None of this dropping the tank crap. lol

The previous time I remember replacing that filter was around 2003 or 2004, in the parking lot at work, with the screwdriver blade on my Swiss Army Knife.

Understand you did it in the parking lot at work but I never use a screwdriver with a hose clamp.
Hey they are usually 1/4" or 5/16" on them.
So why would I.

Because that is what I had and I had the time at the time.

Oh I got that part. LOL.

Looks like what I got is a factory scroll/screw clamp. Shot a smidgen of PB Blaster on it and tried to keep it off the rubber hose. Will try to hit it some more before then. I am pretty sure if I disturb that at all the rubber hose will leak (like it did at the filter). Will give it a go next weekend and hope a socket will take it off. If not, have the 11" lineman's dikes to cut it off if needed.

Looked at West Marine here for some better hose clamps, surprised all they had was standard cheap screw clamps. The "high pressure fuel line" t-clamp style clamps I got at O'Reilly are just galvanized steel. Checking out these cool clamps.
https://www.jamestowndistributors.co...FS+Hose+Clamps