I've tried to do this at least 3 times by myself and with another maxima friend...it was unsuccessful. Problem is that the top screw from the fuel filter won't budge at all...the bottom screw unscrewed fine right away, didn't even need a lot of pressure. However, the top screw just won't turn at all. I tried putting on some DW-40 on it, that still didn't work.

can someone suggest something? I don't wonna go to mechanic so he can charge me $15 to do this simple job.

 

I'd say you should just cut the rubber hose...take out the filter
(with a bit of hose attached) and either re-use the screw-fitting,
or go buy a new one...

atleast the the old filter out of the car it'll be easier to work on.

my $0.02.

-FLO_BOY

 

hmmm, sounds like an idea. Me and steve thought about cutting the screw off and then prying open the bracket...but what you suggested is much simpler. If i cut the hose, will the hose be long enough to reach the new filter's top? Once i get the fuel filter out i think i'll be able to unscrew the top screw no problem.

 

You **SHOULD** be OK -- just don't cut too much!

take care,
FLO_BOY

 

If it isn't long enough a 2' piece of fuel injection hose is pretty cheap, I would also recommend you install new clamps and don't use those cheapies, get fuel hose clamps they are only a couple of bucks and will not cut the hose.
I have a url of a fire caused by using those cheap clamps it ain't pretty.
My fingers hurt everytime I think about working down in there.
Jim

 

Where did you get the aftermarket clamps?

 

Are you trying to remove the screw directly on top of the filter? If so try to take seperate the filter on the engine end of that hose, mine was a lot easier to get to that way. Once you get the whole thing out then getting the top screw off is childs play.

 

I got mine from Carquest but any store like Pepboys etc should have them.

 

i don't understand what you're saying, i can remove the bottom screw fine, the top screw won't twist at all, so how do you take the fuel filter out if its being held by the top screw?!?!?

 

i'm assuming you cannot remove the screw holding down the hose, clamped on the fuel filters top part. the part you can see.

I had the problem that i just could not access that screw. Instead what you might want to do, is unscrew the other end of the hose
attached to the engine, which goes to the filter. much much easier to get too. Once you have the filter off, then you can work at the other screw thats holding the hose on the filter.

that's what i had done. Found it much easier

 

OR YOU CAN GET A LIGHTER AND HEAT IT UP.... J/K.
CUT THE HOSE WITH A BLADE RIGHT ALONG THE TOP OF THE CLAMP. THAT WAY YOU DONT WASTE MUCH OF THE HOSE.

 

I can't believe we didn't think of cutting the hose lol...

We were about to cut the screw off at the very tip and force the bracket open. There is limited room there and we couldn't move the screw at the very top of the fuel filter. Cutting the hose is much easier.. I changed the fuel filter in a total of 5 minutes or so on my car, but the screw doesn't move on his car..