Fuel Tank???
#1
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Fuel Tank???
I have my rearend swung down with the shocks and sway bar disconnected, exhaust is removed, panhard bar removed, and I still don't have enough room to get the filler neck past the lip on the chassis. It is hitting the panhard bar mounting bracket and I am having a hell of a time getting it out. I should have just cut the access panel but I didn't want to hack up my car. Anyone have any ideas or tricks to get enough room to clear the filler neck.
#4
you either have to have the car on a lift, or if it is on jackstands you need to make sure the rear end can swing down far enough, which most times requires you to remove the torque arm to accomplish this, and, depending on how high teh chassis is form the ground you may need to remove the wheels off the rear axle to get it to swing down low-enough...
Regardless it si still a PITA to get it out, no doubts there... They really should have made the filler neck a two-piece with a coupler... Would have made dropping the tanks so much easier...
I have done about 5-6 fuel pumps all while dropping the tanks. I figure if the factory wanted an access panel for the fuel pump it would have put one in there, and really the only way to do with without compromising the uni-body is to drop the tank, cut out the access hole, frame it in, weld in supports and mounting flanges for the door to go back in and fab a proper door... Then seal it and make sure it is done right... At that point the tank is already out and honestly I think the largest majority of just about anyone is really only looking at doing this whole dance once per car...
Now on mine I just removed the intank pump, made a pickup and run a large external... talk about easy pump changes... Well, except for all the gas that comes out due to gravity-feeding the pump...
Regardless it si still a PITA to get it out, no doubts there... They really should have made the filler neck a two-piece with a coupler... Would have made dropping the tanks so much easier...
I have done about 5-6 fuel pumps all while dropping the tanks. I figure if the factory wanted an access panel for the fuel pump it would have put one in there, and really the only way to do with without compromising the uni-body is to drop the tank, cut out the access hole, frame it in, weld in supports and mounting flanges for the door to go back in and fab a proper door... Then seal it and make sure it is done right... At that point the tank is already out and honestly I think the largest majority of just about anyone is really only looking at doing this whole dance once per car...
Now on mine I just removed the intank pump, made a pickup and run a large external... talk about easy pump changes... Well, except for all the gas that comes out due to gravity-feeding the pump...
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This debate has been slung back and forth for years.
Just cut the hole, IMO. I've done it dozens of times. I'm not an automotive engineer, but removing a 10" by 8" piece of 1/16" sheet metal and then screwing back in a THICKER stronger piece is not going to cause your car to fall apart.
Just cut the hole, IMO. I've done it dozens of times. I'm not an automotive engineer, but removing a 10" by 8" piece of 1/16" sheet metal and then screwing back in a THICKER stronger piece is not going to cause your car to fall apart.
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the thing about that though, unless you weld it back in than that patch is only as strong as your fasteners and for those who put 6 sheet metal screws in there to hold it down, you might as well have left the hole there. I noticed that the torque arm was keeping the rear end from swinging any further so I guess I will have to drop the torque arm, and the LCAs and get the rear end completely out of the way.
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the thing about that though, unless you weld it back in than that patch is only as strong as your fasteners and for those who put 6 sheet metal screws in there to hold it down, you might as well have left the hole there. I noticed that the torque arm was keeping the rear end from swinging any further so I guess I will have to drop the torque arm, and the LCAs and get the rear end completely out of the way.
No one has ever backed up the negatives with facts.
Hundreds have backed up the positives with facts.
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I am not debating that it would be easier and more than likely no one would ever know the difference. In my case I just didn't want to hack up my car, not for strength purposes mainly for aesthetics and resale even though it probably wouldn't affect it. Back to the original topic, is there any tricks to gettin ghtis thing out of there or do I just take the rear end right out.
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wow all that trouble of tearing the car all apart just cause don't wanna cut a lil hole that won't effect anything. here i have an idea for you, just take the whole car apart and put it all back together to do the fuel pump. that way there will be absolutely nothing in your way.
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I am not debating that it would be easier and more than likely no one would ever know the difference. In my case I just didn't want to hack up my car, not for strength purposes mainly for aesthetics and resale even though it probably wouldn't affect it. Back to the original topic, is there any tricks to gettin ghtis thing out of there or do I just take the rear end right out.
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As well as the usual suspects; shocks, sway bar, panhard rod, you have to disconnect the torque arm and I removed the driveshaft as well and also left the brake line bracket hang for a little bit more room, let the rear end hang ALL the way down until the E-Brake cables are taught and wiggle it outta there. It was a PITA but it is done, and my car is no worse off because of it.