Can't get fuel pump to seat!

[wmorrison65]

I've taken out my fuel pump and replaced a bad fuel level sensor.

I have the spin-type locking ring, not the snap ring. I can't get the pump to go down far enough that I can turn the ring back clockwise. The tab toward the back of the vehicle is in it's slot, so that's not keeping it from going down. Any trick to it I'm missing?

[Fivefingerdeathpunch]

Use 2 people.

I had to anyway once, or I did what I prolly shouldnt have done and used a rubber mallet to tap the pump down enough to get the lock ring back on.

I just know it's kinda hard to put your body in a good spot to give yourself enough room to push down really hard. Using lube on the big o-ring can help some too.

[Timing]

Use muscle and press that ***** down. :P

[Scottydoggs]

lube the ring, then with a screw driver and a hammer. tap the ring round, while the pump top and the ring is being pushed down hard by someone else.

once the little wedges on the ring starts to catch on all points its in.

[wmorrison65]

I put the old gasket back on the pump. Went right in. New one must have been minimally thicker, maybe?

Some more observations, for anybody searching for help...

Doesn't seem like you can get out/put in the retaining ring with the pump seated. You have to lift the pump a little, and turn it. I turned the pump clockwise less than a quarter turn to find an angle where the ring would come off. WHY they didn't just make the access hole just a little bigger, I don't know. That would have been too easy.

The "teeth" or whatever you call them, that catch the slots in the retaining ring, can lift up a little. Jiggle them while the pump is out and you'll see. Must be another ring underneath to hold together with the one on top. When reassembling, MAYBE you could grab the "teeth" with some pliers or vise grips and lift them up just enough to start turning the retaining ring into them. But I didn't have to do that with the old gasket, so I don't know for sure it would help.

[wmorrison65]

Thanks for the replies. But...

- Don't have a second person to help
- It's not muscle, it's leverage, and keeping it down when you let go
- Everything was lubed and it didn't help

I saw a YouTube video where somebody had the same problem (new gasket tight) and used the old one instead. It didn't look deteriorated at all.

[Scottydoggs]

i see no reason not to reuse the gasket. as long as its still intact.

i did my last truck solo, with only 6 inches of room to work in as i jacked the bed up vs dropping the tank.

i had to hold the screw driver and push and hold the ring and pump down, then tap the ring with the other hand. i managed to get it in with a few tries.

[BillBoost37]

I lube it up .. then put a big ole socket on top and tap it down with a rubber mallet if needed. Just keep in mind you are hitting metal on top of plastic.