I tried a clip off the VNT linkage as it was a different type. I tied a string to it so I could see what happened if it came off. Went for a drive, smelled fuel and pulled over. I lifted up the string and there was only a small piece of the clip left, it had snapped into 3 pieces. I really don't know what's going on with the thing. Thanks for the pics. It took me a while to get them as my DSL seems screwed up these last two days as well.