Fuel Tank: Removal

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

CAUTION: Be careful not to spill fuel.

Release the fuel pressure. < Ref. to RELEASING OF FUEL PRESSURE , PROCEDURE, Fuel. >
Drain fuel. < Ref. to DRAINING FUEL (WITH SUBARU SELECT MONITOR) , PROCEDURE, Fuel. >
Disconnect the ground cable from battery.

Fig 1: Disconnecting Ground Cable From Battery
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the rear seat cushion. < Ref. 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 screw (C).
3. Push the grommet (D) down and remove the service hole cover.
  
  Fig 2: Identifying Fuel Pump Connector, Clip, Screw And Grommet
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the service hole cover of fuel sub level sensor.

Fig 3: Locating Service Hole Cover Bolts
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Disconnect the quick connector on the fuel delivery tube (A). < Ref. 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 Bolts
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the rear brake hose bracket from rear housing.

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

Fig 7: Tying Rear Disc Brake Assembly To Body Side Of Vehicle
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the parking brake cable from parking brake assembly. < Ref. to REMOVAL , Parking Brake Assembly (Rear Disc Brake). >
Remove the rear exhaust pipe and muffler. < Ref. to REMOVAL , Rear Exhaust Pipe. > < Ref. to REMOVAL , Muffler. >
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 Connector
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the parking brake cable clamp from the body.

Fig 9: Locating Parking Brake Cable Clamp At Body
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 bolt and nut which secures rear shock absorber to rear suspension arm.
  
  Fig 10: Locating Bolt And Nut Which Secures Rear Shock Absorber To Rear Suspension Arm
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
3. Remove the bolts which secure the rear suspension assembly to the body.
  
  Fig 11: Locating Bolts Which Secure Rear Suspension Assembly To Body
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
4. Remove the rear suspension assembly.
Disconnect evaporation hose (B) from connector (A).

Fig 12: Identifying Evaporation Hose And Connector
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Disconnect the quick connector of the evaporation hose from the evaporation pipe.
NOTE: Disconnect the quick connector as shown in the figure.

Fig 13: Removing Retainer
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Fig 14: Disconnecting Quick Connector Of Evaporation Hose From Evaporation Pipe
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Disconnect the fuel filler hose (A) and evaporation hose (B).

Fig 15: 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.
  
  Fig 16: Locating Fuel Tank Band Bolts
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.