Fuel Tank, Removing And Installing: Removing

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

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-- Clean the area around the fuel filler neck.

-- Remove the cap -1- for the fuel filler neck.

-- Seal the fuel filler neck opening with a clean plug to prevent any dirt from getting in.

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

-- Remove the rear bench seat. Refer to REAR SEATS .

-- If equipped, remove the Fuel Pump Control Module -J538- -2- from the cover -1-.

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

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-- Disconnect the connector -1- from the fuel delivery unit.

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-- Remove the bolts for the single seat belt latch and the rear dual seat belt latch. Refer to SEAT BELTS .

-- Remove the fuel filler door unit -2-. Refer to FUEL FILLER DOOR UNIT .

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

-- Remove the right rear wheel housing liner. Refer to WHEEL HOUSING LINER .

-- Remove the right rear sill panel cover. Refer to WHEEL HOUSING LINER .

-- Disconnect the lines -3 and 4- from the EVAP canister -1-. Refer to CONNECTOR COUPLINGS, DISCONNECTING .

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-- Remove the bolts -1 and 2- from the filler tube.

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-- Unclip the wire -2- on the filler neck and on the wheel bearing housing.

-- Loosen the right rear underbody trim panel and lower it. Refer to UNDERBODY TRIM PANEL .

-- Remove the mount for the exhaust system rear section. Refer to EXHAUST PIPES/MUFFLERS [For engine(s) DDSB, DSA] or EXHAUST PIPES/MUFFLERS [For engine(s) CDVB] or EXHAUST PIPES/MUFFLERS [For engine(s) CPRA, PKA] .

-- Place the exhaust system on the rear axle and slide to the side.

-- Loosen the heat shield for the center tunnel and place on the exhaust system. Refer to MOLDINGS, TRIMS, EXTENSIONS AND TRIM PANELS .

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

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

-- Mark the installation position between the wheel bearing housing -1- and the trailing arm -2-.

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-- Use a suitable pen for this.

-- Apply the mark in the area shown -arrow- on the trailing arm.

-- Unclip the parking brake cable -4- from the bracket -arrow A-.

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-- Pull the parking brake cable out of the guide -arrow B- on the bracket -3-.

-- Remove the right rear coupling rod. Refer to STABILIZER BAR .

-- Remove the bolts -2- and pivot the trailing arm -1- downward.

-- Disconnect the fuel lines -1 and 2- at the front of the underbody. Disconnect the connector couplings. Refer to CONNECTOR COUPLINGS, DISCONNECTING .

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-- Unclip the fuel lines on the underbody.

-- Remove the heat shield -1- by removing the bolts -arrows-.

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-- Place the :VAG1383A  or :VAS6931  under the fuel tank for support.

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-- Remove the bolts -arrows-.

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-- A second technician is required to remove the fuel tank.

-- Lower the fuel tank -1- and guide it out of the body.

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

-- Guide out the wiring harness on the filler neck.

-- Guide the fuel tank over the heat shield.