Fuel filter cut in half????

[DieselFam]

I wish i would have taken a picture of it. I went to replace my fuel filter and when I lifted it out it separated or it was sliced off at the bottom by something. I didn't notice at first because it came out so easily. I threw it in a plastic bag and into the trash. I went to install the new one and it wouldn't go. The old filter came apart. The top and element were intact but the bottom outer rim and the internal plastic pipe(????) had separated from the rest. It took a set of vise grips, some needle nose pliers and the armstrong to get it out. I thought I was going to break the housing. It was a WIX filter. Has this happened to anyone else? Or does anyone know why. The interval for changing was only around 5K. I have a lot of miles on this thing and don't want to over look something I might be neglecting. Thanks.

[carolinaboy02powerstroke]

Stick with Motorcraft filters on the 7.3. WIX filters aren't of great quality in my book.

[NoRalPh]

Yea, that's what I was going to say,,,, "I bet it wouldn't have happened to a Motorcraft Filter"