Fuel Tank: Removal

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

CAUTION: Be careful not to spill fuel.

Release the fuel pressure. < Refer to RELEASING OF FUEL PRESSURE , PROCEDURE, Fuel. >
Drain fuel. < Refer 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. < 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 screw (C).
3. Push the grommet (D) down and remove the service hole cover.
Fig 2: Identifying Fuel Pump Connector, Clip, Grommet And Mounting Screw
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the service hole cover of fuel sub level sensor.

Fig 3: Locating Service Hole Cover Mounting Screws
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Disconnect the quick connector of fuel delivery tube (A) and fuel return tube (B). < Refer 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: Locating Rear ABS Wheel Speed Sensor Mounting Bolt
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the rear brake hose bracket from rear housing.

Fig 6: Locating Rear Brake Hose Bracket Mounting 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: Locating Rear Disc Brake Assembly Mounting Bolt
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the parking brake cable from parking brake assembly. < Refer to REMOVAL , Parking Brake Assembly (Rear Disc Brake). >
Remove the rear exhaust pipe and muffler. < Refer to REMOVAL , Rear Exhaust Pipe. > < Refer to REMOVAL , Muffler. >
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 Connector
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the parking brake cable clamp from the body.

Fig 9: Locating Parking Brake Cable Clamp
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Disconnect the connectors from oil temperature switch (A) and ground (B), and remove the clips (C) which secure the harness.

Fig 10: Identifying Oil Temperature Switch, Ground And Clips
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 11: Locating Rear Shock Absorber Mounting Bolt And Nut
  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 Mounting Bolts
  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.
NOTE: Disconnect the quick connector as shown in the figure.

Fig 14: Disconnecting Quick Connector
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Fig 15: Locating 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.
Fig 17: Locating Fuel Tank Band Mounting Bolts
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.