Dealer technician - tightening fuel pump retaining ring
 

I took my car to the dealer to tighten the fuel pump ring (I had recently replaced the pump and couldn't get it completely tight). Contrary to my understanding, the technician claimed that he wasn't able to get the SST on to the ring without dropping the fuel tank. Has anyone had this experience? Should that really be a problem? Is there a tool I can get at an auto parts store to do it myself?

He is wrong. It is possible to get the tool on the ring without dropping the tank. I did it. You leave the fingers loose and tighten them down once the tool has been put in place. If they are left tight, there is an interference issue with the metal around the inspection plate.

Thanks a lot, I'll pass that along. They're going to be really tired of me telling them how to work on my car.

what ?

take your car somewhere else, as that tech is a complete moron.

I did my pump swap with the tank in place. drop what tank ? jesus.

Yeah I honestly have no faith in any dealer service departments anywhere so I just try to give them simple things and explain how I'd like to have them done. And I only go to them in the rare case that I don't have a tool (like the fuel pump SST). They seem to be working with me here so I'm just trying to get the car in and out of the dealership.

Or, they could be light on work and are trying to pad their service hours and increase billing.

that SST cost 200 something bux I think.

Unless I own a shop that tool is totally not worth it.

anyway take ur car and gtfo asap !

Entirely possible but they aren't billing me for any more than the diagnosis fees for the issues I asked them to look into right now (they required the WDS). They're also taking care of the TSB that includes MSP16. I haven't authorized any other work.

I wasn't planning on buying the SST. I just want them to tighten the ring and take care of those other little issues. Any other car maintenance has been and always will be performed by me (with loving care).

Well unfortunately the technician still insists the ring cannot be tightened with the SST without dropping the tank, and they claim that they've contacted the other local mazda dealers and they have agreed that you need to drop the tank. So I'm back to square one and it sounds like no other nearby dealer will tighten the ring. Is there a tool at the auto parts stores I can use to tighten it?

See if you can barrow the the tool from them and do it in their parking lot. All you need is a 3/8" socket wrench (and maybe a short extention) and the allen wrench that tightens up the fingers.

NAPA sells a tool, but it is nowhere near the quality.

What idiots. I MADE a tool, removed the pump, swapped in the Walbro and put it back together in a total of like 90 minutes.... all without dropping the tank.

Maybe see if BHR can mail you one of their loaner tools?

I'm definitely going to try that when I pick it up. So frustrating that they can't do this. Thanks for the tip on the NAPA tool. I took a look online and it looks like a piece of junk but it might be worth a shot.

Yeah I wish I had facilities available to just make a tool. Thanks for the tip on BHR but I imagine they only like loaning their tools to customers.

I got one of these and it worked fine. Seems the newer ones are thicker than the old ones.

http://www.amazon.com/Lock-Technolog.../dp/B000I14PGQ

Just clip it on the tabs, get the slide plate really snug and grab with both hands on each side and tighten away until you slip off and bust your knuckles a half dozen times or it won turn anymore. Fill up and check for leaks.

Oh and your dealer's tech is a MORON.

Thanks - I should direct them to this thread so they can get some additional opinions on their service department.

BHR has several of the tools....Check with them as they may loan you a tool.

contact BHR, i'm sure they'll help you out

There is absolutely no reason to drop the fuel tank. The factory tool is made to remove/tighten the fuel pump mounting ring with the tank still in the car.
If that dealership can not do it as Mazda has designed then find somebody else.

That looks like a much higher quality tool but it doesn't look like it would fit. I am going to try to convince this tech to let me do it myself next time I'm over there. If he won't, I'll pursue other options.

Ask the service manager to just borrow the SST ( the fuel tank "special service tool"). Mazda allows it.

So - sorry to bring this one back but I did finally ask them to pull out the tool and let me do it myself but it turns out the tool they have is a tall, fixed adapter and there's no way it would fit on. From what I've gathered in this thread, either that isn't a real Mazda tool or they have updated to a less useful tool. Has anybody else had this experience? I guess at this point I might as well drive to a few more dealers and see if I can check out their tool.

The mazda SST is a big piece of metal with 4 clamps or ears. It WILL fit. you have to loosen them up all the way and flop it in then tighten it. It's very snug. It WILL fit.

Just get on amazon and buy this, it works http://www.amazon.com/Lock-Technolog.../dp/B000I14PGQ

it's what I have used. get it on, snug it tight as you can tighten the nut and grab both arms by hand and tighten it as good as you can. don't bother with a wrench. It helps if you put a tiny bit of oil on the asphalt gasket.

hi guys, I'm trying to attempt this (at first) with a flat head and hammer. But I'm not sure with the 2 lock tab around the ring. How do you unlock them? Do you push/slide them up or do people break them off? Thanks

I've read that some have broken them off.
I did mine without breaking them, they will flex, they don't move up or anything.
Be careful to not break too many of the tabs, it will make it harder to use a tool if that method fails.
I used a rental tool from AutoZone for mine.

If you have access to a welder you can buy some 3/4 square tube and a nut and make your own. Here's mine:
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