Removal of the fuel pump ring can be difficult without the factory tool. You can usually get it off by using two people tapping it on opposite sides. Trying to remove the ring by tapping on one side only will usually not work because it distorts the ring and causes it to bind on the sides of the fuel pump.
Thanks to william swift for contributing to this FAQ!
I have used the Large size Channel Lock Pliers, opened all the way and inserted into ring notches and push out and turn at the same time as not to mangle the ring. SAAB's Rule
The "fuel pump ring" is acually the fuel tank access port retention ring. I've encountered the same resistance in removing the ring, however, if you drissel hot water over the ring as the first order of business, then thoroughly towel dry the area. Using a wood dowel or an 8-10 long -one
square inch thick piece of hardwood, you may gently tap diagonally against the plastic tabs in a counter clockwise direction. The hot water cleans the top of the access area of crud and helps loosen the bond in the plastic threaded cover.
Thanks to Aaron Hartshorn for contributing to this FAQ!
The easiest way to remove the ring is to clean off the area, grab to socket wrench extension and then put it in a cross and put them on each small square in the plastic ring. When you pry the cover to in a counter clockwise direction the ring should turn like butter... the reason the other methods do not work is that if your only prying on one side of the ring your not putting pressure evenly on both sides making it near impossible to loosen, try it and let me know how it works...
Thanks to Kevin Siebold for contributing to this FAQ!
I used a 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 x 3/4 piece of maple, with a notch cut out and sides shaved about an eigth of an inch, and 2 vise
grips on either side. see photo...it took about 1 minute to make and was well worth it!!!
Thanks to Cameron Earl for contributing to this FAQ!
Kevin's suggestion is a good one, however, there is a much easier solution for the average joe. Autozone has a tool kit for loan which includes a
'Fuel Pump Retainer Tool' (similar to the picture below) specifically designed for this. Rent the tool with a deposit and you'll have the pump
pulled in minutes. They loan their kits out for up to 90 days and give full refund of deposit when you return it
Thanks to Richard Clayton for contributing to this FAQ!
The mention to use the Channel Lock pliers is OK, but in fact it is better to use them the other way. You use the HANDLES to engage the tabs on the
lock ring and clamp a Vise Grip on to the Channel Lock near the hinge pin. Now you can use the Vise Grip as a lever to turn the Channel Lock and the
ring will be removed. I use this for sailboat inspection ports and it works like a charm. The best "Channel Lock" or water pump pliers to use are ones
that don't have a vinyl coating on the handles. That could be removed. If you get slipping it may help to grind the ends of the handles flat.
