So now that I've replaced my fuel filter, broke the blue plastic clip and came on here and searched and read the threads, i see it's fairly common and I definitely made a mistake.
I did manage to get the filter installed though this last weekend and used the supplied u-shaped clip that came with the new filter. It didn't fit in all of the way like the blue clip, but I was able to slide it through the holes and make it grab around the neck of the filter. I've been driving it most of this week, but after reading the threads I'm nervous that it may fail on me.
I'm traveling out of town tomorrow AM for a couple hour road-trip. Think the way I have it now will hold up? I tugged on the line pretty good and it didn't seem to budge and there are no leaks that I can feel.
You should be fine if you can't pull it off by hand. JMO Try to get a clamp around the clip, or...sorry....use some duct tape to ensure the clip that's halfway on stays in place