Got it. The part on the back side was hard to get out of the "cup". When I pried forward, the tank would hang on stud on the top. When I pried from the top, it didn't go anywhere. Finally I figured it out and used a forward rotation with 2 arms while working the plastic tab off of the stud with my handy third arm (5 year olds are great). I didn't break anything today...yet ;-)

Thanks for the replies!

On Jul 14, 2012, at 4:26 PM, "Stuart MacMillan" <stuartmacm@gmail.com> wrote:

> Yes, I just went through the same thing.  Undercoating made it difficult to
> remove too.  Use a wide blade to pry off the  tab on the tank that's on the
> stud, it has to come off  first.  It can be a bear, just work carefully.  On
> the driver's side the bump didn't line up with the recess in the body and
> was much easier to get out.
> 
> I assume you are dropping this to replace the grommet.  If your grommets on
> the vent valves are nice and firm, not gooey to the point you can gently
> pull out the valve, leave them alone.  You'll break the valve stem if you
> try to remove one from a sound, hard grommet.  If you do need to replace it,
> use a heat gun to soften the hard plastic line before trying to remove it
> from the valve if you do decide to remove it.  It is a bit easier to work on
> with out from under the car.  Broke my stem right off, and had to get one
> out of a junkyard, but GoWesty has them for 35 bucks or so (!!), but at
> least they have them .  Lube with WD-40 to insert the valve into the grommet
> after it's installed in the tank.
> 
> Stuart
> '85 Westy
> 
> Larry A. wrote:
> 
> I'm not sure if you are familiar with the shape of the top of an expansion
> tank.  There is sort of a bump which fits into a sort of socket at the top
> of the wheel well.  This, along with the tab that goes over the stud, holds
> the thing up.  Two studs would have been more secure and practical IMHO, but
> oh well...
>   You have to wiggle it vigorously and pry gently at the tab that's on the
> stud.  Once free from the stud, the tank will come out of the socket and be
> free.  I can't swear that the filler tube won't interfere because I've
> always had it out anyway when removing the exp tanks.
> 
> 
>