Fuel Tank, Removing And Installing, Vehicles With FWD And Multi-Link Rear Axle: Removing

-- Observe safety precautions. Refer to SAFETY PRECAUTIONS .

-- Follow the guidelines for clean working conditions. Refer to PARKING/AUXILIARY HEATER AND FUEL SYSTEM CLEAN WORKING CONDITIONS .

-- Drain the fuel tank. Refer to FUEL TANK, DRAINING .

-- Move the front seats all the way forward.

-- Turn off the ignition.

-- Remove the rear bench seat. Refer to BENCH SEAT/SINGLE SEAT, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Unclip the locking flange cover -1- at the tabs in direction of -arrows- using the :3409  .

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Unclip the grommet -1- downward out of the cover -2-.

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Guide the cover -2- on the wiring harness -3- downward.

-- Unlock and disconnect the connectors -1 and 2- from the locking flange.

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- If equipped, release the connector -3- for the Metering Pump -V54- and remove it.

-- Lift the tab -2- in direction of -arrow A-.

-- To do so, reach between the floor panel and the fuel tank with a finger.

-- At the same time, pull the Fuel Pump Control Module -J538- -1- on the wiring harness -3- in direction of -arrow B- carefully out of the mount.

-- Remove the Fuel Pump Control Module -J538- toward the inside between the fuel tank and the floor panel.

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Open the fuel filler door unit -2-.

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Clean the area around the fuel filler tube.

-- Remove the cover -1- on the fuel filler neck.

-- Remove the fuel filler door unit -2-. Refer to FUEL FILLER DOOR UNIT, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Remove the right rear wheel. Refer to WHEELS AND TIRES .

-- Remove the right rear wheel housing liner. Refer to FRONT WHEEL HOUSING LINER, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Remove fuel filler tube bolts -1 and 2-.

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Remove the rear section from the exhaust system. Refer to OVERVIEW - MUFFLER .

-- Remove the fuel line -1- from the underbody. Disconnect the connector couplings. Refer to CONNECTOR COUPLINGS, SEPARATING .

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Disconnect the fuel return line -2-. Disconnect the connector couplings. Refer to CONNECTOR COUPLINGS, SEPARATING .

Vehicles With Parking Heater 

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Remove the fuel line -1- from the parking heater. Disconnect the connector couplings. Refer to CONNECTOR COUPLINGS, SEPARATING .

Vehicles With Electromechanical Parking Brake 

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Unclip the wiring harness -2- from the trailing arm -1- -arrows-.

-- Remove the bolts -3- and pivot the trailing arm -1- downward.

Vehicles With Parking Brake Cable 

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Press the lever -2- located on the brake caliper in direction of -arrow- and disengage the brake cable -1-.

-- Squeeze the tabs -3- and remove the brake cable from the bracket -4- on the brake caliper.

-- Unclip the parking brake cable and pull it from the bracket.

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Remove the bolts -3- and pivot the trailing arm -1- downward.

Continuation For All Vehicles 

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- If equipped, remove the rear underbody trim panel. Refer to UNDERBODY TRIM PANELS, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Remove the bolt -4-.

-- Remove the bracket for the exhaust system.

-- Remove the bolt -2- and remove the mounting strap.

-- Place the :VAS6931  under the fuel tank to support it as illustrated.

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Remove the bolts -1 and 3-.

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Lower the fuel tank using :VAS6931  .

-- By turning it accordingly, lower the fuel tank sideways.

-- Guide the filler neck out between the rear axle and the body.