Abstract: An improved spring clip retainer for a telescopic coupling such as the coupling between a fuel filter and a fuel line. The retainer comprises a first pair of opposed spring fingers which grasp and hold the male portion of the coupling and a second pair of opposed spring fingers which grasp and hold a longitudinally spaced portion of the female coupling element. The second set of fingers are longer than the first and are provided with a self-aiming, one-way latch which is readily operated by squeezing the longer fingers toward one another after association with the small diameter female fuel line coupling component. Through this operation the retainer can be effectively permanently associated with a fuel line subassembly which is joined to the fuel filter in a subsequent operation.