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 (WITH SUBARU SELECT MONITOR) , PROCEDURE, Fuel. >
Disconnect the battery ground cable from the battery.

Fig 1: Identifying Battery Ground Cable
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the rear seat.
Remove the service hole cover of fuel pump.
1. Separate fuel pump connector (A), and remove clip (B).
2. Remove bolt (C).
3. Push the grommet (D) down and remove the service hole cover.
Fig 2: Identifying Fuel Pump Connector, Clip And Bolt
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the service hole cover of fuel sub level sensor.

Fig 3: Identifying Service Hole Cover And Fuel Sub Level Sensor
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Disconnect the quick connector of fuel delivery tube (A) and fuel return tube (B). <Ref. to REMOVAL , Fuel Delivery, Return and Evaporation Lines. >

Fig 4: Identifying Fuel Delivery Tube And Fuel Return 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: Identifying Rear ABS Wheel Speed Sensor And Rear Housing
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
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).>
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 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: Identifying 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 Drain Hose And Canister Drain Connector
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 11: 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 12: Locating Rear Suspension Assembly Bolt
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
4. Remove the rear suspension assembly.
Disconnect evaporation hose (B) from connector (A).

Fig 13: 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 14: Identifying Evaporation Pipe And Quick Connector
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Fig 15: Identifying Retainer
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Disconnect the fuel filler hose (A) and evaporation hose (B).

Fig 16: 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 17: Identifying Fuel Tank Bolts
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.