Fuel Tank: Removal

WARNING: Place "NO OPEN FLAMES" signs near the working area.

CAUTION: Be careful not to spill fuel.

Set the vehicle on a lift.
Release the fuel pressure. <Ref. to RELEASING OF FUEL PRESSURE , PROCEDURE, Fuel .>
Drain fuel from fuel tank.
<Ref. to DRAINING FUEL , PROCEDURE, Fuel .>
Remove the rear seat.
Remove the service hole cover of fuel pump.

Fig 1: Locating Service Hole Cover
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Disconnect the connector from fuel pump.

Fig 2: Locating Connector From Fuel Pump
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the connector (A) and clip (B).

Fig 3: Identifying Connector And Clip
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the service hole cover of fuel sub level sensor.
1. Remove the bolt (A).
2. Push the grommet (B) down and remove the service hole cover.
  
  Fig 4: Identifying Grommet And Bolts
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Disconnect connector (A) from fuel sub level sensor.
Disconnect the quick connector on the fuel delivery hose (B). <Ref. to REMOVAL , Fuel Delivery and Evaporation Lines .>

Fig 5: Identifying Quick Connector And Fuel Sub Level Sensor
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the trunk room trim. (Sedan model) <Ref. to REMOVAL , Trunk Room Trim .>
Remove the rear quarter trim. (Wagon model) <Ref. to WAGON MODEL , REMOVAL, Rear Quarter Trim .>
Remove the pipe protector.

Fig 6: Locating Pipe Protector
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the grommet and disconnect the quick connector of the evaporation pipe. <Ref. to REMOVAL , Fuel Delivery and Evaporation Lines .>

Fig 7: Locating Grommet
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the rear wheels.
Lift up the vehicle.
Remove the bolts which secure the rear brake hose mounting bracket.

Fig 8: Locating Rear Brake Hose Mounting Bracket
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the rear brake caliper and tie it to the body side of the vehicle.

Fig 9: Identifying Rear Brake Caliper
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the parking brake cable from the parking brake assembly. <Ref. to REMOVAL , Parking Brake Assembly (Rear Disc Brake) .>
Lift up the vehicle.
Remove the rear exhaust pipe. <Ref. to REMOVAL , Rear Exhaust Pipe .>
Remove the propeller shaft. <Ref. to REMOVAL , Propeller Shaft .>
Remove the heat shield cover.
Disconnect the connector from the rear ABS wheel speed sensor.

Fig 10: Locating Rear ABS Wheel Speed Sensor
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the bolts securing the parking brake cable clamp.

Fig 11: Locating Parking Brake Cable Clamp With Bolts
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Fig 12: Locating Clamp With Bolts
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the rear suspension assembly.
WARNING: A helper is required to perform this work.
1. Support the rear differential with the transmission jack.
2. Remove the bolts which hold the rear shock absorber to the rear suspension arm.
  
  Fig 13: Locating Rear Shock Absorber Bolts
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
3. Remove the bolts which secure the rear suspension assembly to the body.
  
  Fig 14: Locating Rear Suspension Assembly Bolts
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  
  Fig 15: Locating Bolts
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
4. Remove the rear suspension assembly.
Disconnect the connector.

Fig 16: Locating Connector
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Disconnect the evaporation hose.

Fig 17: Locating Evaporation Hose
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Disconnect the fuel filler hose (A) and evaporation hose (B).

Fig 18: Locating Fuel Filler Hose And Evaporation Hose
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Support the fuel tank with a transmission jack, remove the bolts from the fuel tank band, and remove the fuel tank from the vehicle.
WARNING: A helper is required to perform this work.

Fig 19: Locating Fuel Tank Band With Bolts
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.