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. Refer to RELEASING OF FUEL PRESSURE , PROCEDURE, Fuel .
Drain fuel from fuel tank. Refer to DRAINING FUEL (WITH SUBARU SELECT MONITOR) , PROCEDURE, Fuel .
Disconnect the ground cable from the battery.

Fig 1: Disconnecting Ground Cable Of Battery
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the rear seat cushion. Refer to REMOVAL , Rear Seat .
Remove the service hole cover of fuel pump.
1. Disconnect fuel pump connector (A), and remove clip (B).
2. Remove the bolt (C).
3. Push the grommet (D) down and remove the service hole cover.
  
  Fig 2: Identifying Service Hole Cover, Grommet And Bolt
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the service hole cover of fuel sub level sensor.

Fig 3: Identifying Service Hole Cover Of Fuel Sub Level Sensor
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Disconnect the quick connector on the fuel delivery tube (A). Refer to REMOVAL , Fuel Delivery and Evaporation Lines .

Fig 4: Identifying Quick Connector On Fuel Delivery Tube
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the rear wheels.
Lift up the vehicle.
Remove the rear ABS wheel speed sensor from the rear housing.

Fig 5: Locating Rear ABS Wheel Speed Sensor
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the bolt holding the rear brake hose bracket.

Fig 6: Locating Rear Brake Hose Bracket And Bolt
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the rear brake caliper and tie it to the body side of the vehicle.

Fig 7: Identifying Rear Brake Caliper And Tie
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the parking brake cable from the parking brake assembly. Refer to REMOVAL , Parking Brake Assembly (Rear Disc Brake) .
Remove the rear exhaust pipe.
Refer to REMOVAL , Rear Exhaust Pipe .
Remove the propeller shaft. Refer to REMOVAL , Propeller Shaft .
Remove the heat shield cover and fuel tank protector.
Disconnect the connector from the rear ABS wheel speed sensor.

Fig 8: Locating Rear ABS Wheel Speed Sensor
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the bolts securing the parking brake cable clamp.

Fig 9: Locating Parking Brake Cable Clamp And Bolts
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Disconnect drain hose (B) from the canister drain connector (A).

Fig 10: Identifying Canister Drain Connector And Drain Hose
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Disconnect the connector, remove the nuts, and then remove the rear vehicle height sensor, (models with auto headlight beam leveler, left side only)

Fig 11: Locating Rear Vehicle Height Sensor Bolt
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 12: Locating Rear Shock Absorber Bolt
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
3. Remove the bolts which secure the rear suspension assembly to the body.
  
  Fig 13: Locating Rear Suspension Bolts
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
4. Remove the rear suspension assembly.
Disconnect evaporation hose (B) from connector (A).

Fig 14: Identifying Evaporation Hose And Connector
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Disconnect the quick connector of the evaporation hose from the evaporation pipe as shown in the figure.

Fig 15: Disconnecting Quick Connector Of Evaporation Hose
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Fig 16: Identifying Quick Connector
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Disconnect the fuel filler hose (A) and evaporation hose (B) from the fuel filler pipe assembly.

Fig 17: Identifying 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.
Fuel may remain in the fuel tank. This will cause the left and right sides to be unbalanced. Be careful not to drop the fuel tank when removing.

Fig 18: Locating Fuel Tank Bolts

Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.