So I need to replace my Fuel pump so decided to drop the tank rather than cut the holes under the back seat.
Here is a write up of how I got the tank out. Took me 5 Hours but I did take my time and took lot of tea and smoke (went around the other side of the house for this)

WEAR SAFETY GLASSES. Lots of dust and rust will fall on for face so stay safe.

DO NOT SMOKE. HAVE A WATER HOSE OR BETTER STILL A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AVAILABE.

1. Jack up the rear of the car and place on jack stands. Chock the front wheels
2. Mark the drive shaft so you can place it back in the same place (I used a quick spray of paint I had). Not sure this is required but can`t hurt.
3. Place the car in Neutral.
4. With a 6mm allen wrench remove the 6 allen bolts (use a hammer if needed as a poor mans impact wrench) Rotate the drive shaft to access the bolts.
5. Using a 13mm socket or wrench (spanner for our UK friends) remove the bolts holding the carrier bearing.
6. Drop the drive shaft and move out of your way.
7. Using a 15mm wrench loosen the clamp on the exhaust near to where we just disconnected the drive shaft.
Nut came off for me but the Bolt was rusted so couldn’t loosen the clamp so I had to cut it off please note the clamp has 2 spot welds holding it in place so quite a bit of cutting and grinding.
8. Heat the rear side of the pipe ( I used a regular plumbing torch (blow lamp for our UK friends))
9. Using a block of wood and a hammer hit the front part of the pipe to separate the pipe.
Now to move the Diff out of the way also this will be a perfect time to change the Gear oil.
1. Place a jack under the diff to support the weight and have an upturned bucket ready to place the diff on.
2. Using a 13 or 15mm (sorry can`t remember which) remove the single bolt that goes into the back of the Diff through the sub frame.
3. Using a 15mm wrench(spanner) remove the 2 silver bolts on the front of the diff that holdr the diff to the rubber mounts.
4. Lower the diff onto your upturned bucket and push as far back as you can.

Now it`s time to disconnect the fuel lines.

1. Remove the back seat cushion, pull up sharply on both front corners to unclip now push back and up to remove the seat.
2. Under the big round rubber grommet disconnect the black electrical connection
3. Start the car to remove pressure from the fuel lines (Try not to smile at how awesome it sounds with the exhaust disconnected)
4. Remove the fuel filter. Use a suitable container to catch the fuel that will spill.
5. Next to the fuel filter is another quick disconnect, Push the black tab and remove.
6. Now using a ¼ inch socket loosen the hose clamp holding the fill tube to the tank.

Now to drop the tank.

1. Place a piece of wood on your jack and support the weight of the fuel tank.
2. Using a 13mm socket remove the bolts holding the 2 fuel tank straps at the front. The back side is just a Tee so push up and forward to remove.
3. Lower the tank about 5-6 inches checking the filler pipe tube is free. On the LH (drivers US passenger UK) side of the tank on the top you will see an orange elbow pipe squeeze the top and bottom of the plastic ring and remove the black fuel pipe.
4. Now look along the top and free up the wires on top of the tank they will be taped in place.
5. Move over to the RH side of the car and lower the tank SLOWLY checking for anything that is catching (there are some clips holding the EVAP pipe just pull the pipe free and make sure the wiring is slack and free.
6. Disconnect the 2 electric connectors.

Pat yourself on the back for a job well done.

I am hoping installation is just the reverse.

 

Please note the car is on jack stands the Ramp is there just to keep it out of my way and in case the stand fails.

 

Wouldn`t you know just found this.
Way to go after the fact would have been nice to find this a few days ago

 

Thanks, Paul. It's always nice to see how it's done without all the special tools!

 

Nice one Paul, thanks for sharing.
Good to see that you found the tsb for it albeit a little late

 

Had to change my tank at the weekend as no fuel pressure. turns out the pipe in the tank from the pressure valve to the big white cap on the fuel pump unit had come off so the pump was running but just pumping around in the tank and not sending anything to the fuel filter ect.

This pipe is just a push fit not like the rest of the pipes in the tank that have locking plugs on them

 

Just what I needed. The biggest P in the A seems to be lowering the dif?

 

If its any help I just used my trolley jack.
not as bad as it looks.

Hardest part for me was removing the rubber hose connecting the filler tube to the tank.


if you end up cutting it out this is what I found (parts stores around here don`t carry this size)

 

Paul,
Could you have swapped out the fuel pump by removing the back seat and going through the top?

 

yes but you have to cut 2 access holes under the seat to access the two sender units.

 

Thank Paulc732, It's a great instruction, I rather do this than cut the hole under seat.