I've been trying to do a fuel pump swap on my 2000 Trans Am. All was going well until I got to the ring on the fuel pump that needs to be taken off to get the pump out. For reference, it is the piece with the 5 "arms" in this picture: http://www.public.asu.edu/~nicolasd/...esspanel_l.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...5_244_full.jpg

I took WD-40 to it. I took PB Blaster to it. I hammered it with a hammer and screwdriver as hard as humanly possible. I just let it sit 15 hours soaked in PB Blaster and WD-40, and went out again to mess with it and it still wouldn't budge a single millimeter. I've tried it with the arms pulled up, I've tried it with the arms in their normal position. Nothing has worked. There seem to be small ridges on the black metal brackets that hold each arm in, sort of "humps" that you need to get over..except no matter how hard I try I can't get over them.

Can anybody please help?

 

I had to put a screwdriver under the black tabs to help loosen mine up. Not sure if it is the best for it but it worked and I have had no problems yet. Try that and just hit the ends of the ring to Knock them from under the tabs. Good luck!

 

how about disconneting everything first.