fuel filter tool

So I just bought this brand new fuel filter tool that is supposed to work to un-unconnect the "quick connect" type fittings on the fuel line that connects the fuel filter on my 98 ranger. It has two different sizes available, one on each end, one for 5/16" lines and the other for 3/8" lines: http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb153/sgull1/IMG_1830.jpg
You're supposed to be able to engage the tool onto the whichever size line fitting (mine is the 3/8" size) and by pushing in be able to release the fitting off the fuel filter tube. Trouble is, when I try to surround my 3/8" end of the tool onto the fuel filter tube, both halves don't slip into the fitting like you'd think they're supposed to. When you close the two halves over the tube they don't meet into a perfectly round circle, it seems one half of the sleeve is slightly offset from the other and therefore doesn't fit into the recess together along with the other half l. All I can do is open the jaws of the tool and slip one half onto the tube and push in. One half will push in, and I seem to be able feel the resistance of spring tension in the fitting as I push in, but I just can't get the connection to release this way. I push in the one half of the sleeve (into the fitting and away from the filter) with one hand, and with my other hand hold the end of the fuel connection there and try to push/pull on it at the same time while I'm pushing that half of the tool sleeve into the fitting. I tried this over and over but it doesn't want to release, even with considerable struggling and pulling/pushing. And you can only pull/push on the line with reasonable force there's obviously a chance the fuel line or the connection will break or be damaged.
Anybody familiar with using a tool like this on the quick connect fittings as used on a 98 Ranger fuel filter please describe what the trick is here please. I'm beginning to think this tool is defective, doesn't seem right to me that one half of the sleeve should be offset from the other and not fit in together around the filter tube(s). On looking close at those two half sleeves on that end of the tool, it seems the problem is that they don't meet together properly, that one half is slightly offset or tweaked away somehow from the other half, and that seems like what prevents both of them from slipping into the fitting at the same time. A couple more photos (kinda blurry but you can get the idea):
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb153/sgull1/IMG_1836.jpg
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb153/sgull1/IMG_1834.jpg
any comments/advice appreciated.

 

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i've never used that tool to take the fittings off. if you look on the fitting, you can see a colored bit of plastic on one side of it. push that in towards the center and it'll 9 out of 10 times allow you to pull off the line.

 

No my fitting is not like that. I have the kind that needs a special tool to release it, that you have to insert into the inner part of the fitting and which can allow you to push in on a hidden spring type mechanism within the fitting to release it. My fitting(s) are the kind as shown in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31U3srwo74U although the tool being used to release the fitting in the video (round plastic ring/sleeve) a different style tool than mine, although both of which are supposed to slip inside the fitting where it can be pushed upon to release the line(s). Apparently some Rangers will have the type of fuel filter line connections you describe, and some have the kind I have. thanks anyway though

 

Advance sells the special tool kit for around $10.00 All it is is a round piece of plastic that slips over the line and you push it in and slide the line out.

 

Unfortunately there is no Advance in my community located in rural Alaska, although we do happen to have a Carquest and NAPA. The tool I have (shown in picture first post here), like the plastic ring type you mention Advance sells, is supposed to be specifically for un-connecting my type of fuel line "quick-connects" also. I got my tool at Carquest eight bucks I think it was. But I think it is a factory defect preventing it from working for me. I'll take it back tomorrow and see if the other ones on the rack there aren't mismatched (like I think mine is) where the two halves are supposed to meet. If they aren't I'll replace it and try it again. If they're all like that I'll return it and go see if they have that plastic ring set type at NAPA. Otherwise I'll have to send away somewhere for the stupid tool and hope it'll work. Here's a decent photo of one of these blasted quick connect fittings, for what its worth: http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb153/sgull1/IMG_1829-1.jpg
Unless between now and then somebody can explain to me the magic trick to make my funky tool work. what a pain:furious:

 

They can be a PITA I agree. It works well if you push IN on the filter at the same time you're holding the tool and pulling OUT on the fuel line. Took me awhile to get it the first time as well.

 

My issue seems to be getting the sleeves of the tool into the fitting in order to release the catch inside. The sleeves on the tool won't fit in together, as I tried to explain. I'll spend a bunch of time time tomorrow going back and forth to auto parts stores checking what special tools they have available and if they have something I think worth a try, getting that and then fight with the pushing and pulling business all over again. fun stuff this is.

 

Yeah on my truck I needed the tool and the lines came off easy. But on my buddys F150 it was a PITA! You just have to keep at it man. If your truck has any type of rust on it like his did yeah that could be an issue. Just jam the tool in there and try to pull the line off It should come off easy.
Oh and make sure you wear glasses rust and gas in your eyes makes for a bad day.

 

Ok thanks FFparker. I'll fight with it tomorrow and post back. And I'll be sure to wear some eye protection too

 

Update: Success.
I exchanged the tool I was using with a different one from the parts store. With the replacement tool I was able to fit in and disconnect the fittings easily. Turns out my problem was the original tool would close off center because the rivet which pivots the two arms of the tool was not centered, a manufacturing defect. A happy ending to a fun adventure, this was. Thanks.

 

Glad you were successful. You were on the right track the tool was defective.

 

I had the same problem one side came off the other side would not come off no matter what I tried, ended up with a Dorman part # 800-050 and put on a new nylon piece with a steel to nylon coupler and a duck bill connector. will be alot easier the next time around.

 

Thanks for the added info, and the included part #. Welcome to the forums!

 

I had the exact same thing happen to me. Bought the $8 chrome one, and when I tried to use it, it wouldn't slip over the fuel filter line and under the lip. It was crooked and I could only get one of the halves on it at a time. I tried and tried and tried (having never used one before and not knowing it was defective!). Found this thread, and decided must be defective. Took it back to autozone and for a refund and bought the $20 multi pack. The guy at the store was a jerk though, and was trying to blame me for the problem, saying I bent it, then saying, no it's supposed to be that way! Idiot. Even after I showed him another brand new defective one (apparently that whole batch of chrome "OEM" parts is defective) he still hassled me. But I got the new part, and it slipped on and got the filter off quite easily.

 

Glad to hear you had success. But what is this $20 multi pack you speak of? In my case I ended up just ended up getting the exact tool again, a replacement for the defective one. Between me and the auto parts clerk guy we made sure the rivet in the replacement tool was centered.

 

It's a pack with 4 different sizes in it... looks like anodized aluminum, in 4 different colors. I think it was actually labeled for air conditioning connectors, and had fuel line connectors as an "also"... or something like that. They appeared to have much better quality control than the chrome one, and worked like a charm.

 

lol. Okay, glad to hear the different style works well for you. Just be careful you don't bend it (like you did that chrome one) . Oh, no, wait, that's right -- those chrome ones are supposed to be that way!