Did the fuel filter on my W202 C230, everything you have planned sounds good.
Didn't however remove my fuel relay.

I did use hose clamps.

I did need to use rubber gloves and carefully a flat thin edge to pull/pry the rubber lines of the fuel filter necks.

The old hose clamps I cut off with a very sturdy clipper. and had purchase a handful of new hose clamps.

OEM hose clamps use a special pliers to unhook, the new hose clamps I purchased used screws- like a radiator hose clamp.