Just went through dreaded C6 and XLR fuel pump replacement because of the cracked fuel connection at the fuel pump.
The best and most accurate DIY Youtube video by Drew Mann is about 1 hour long.
Absolutely, on our automatic XLR cars, you must remove the left rear muffle. It takes a little time but will save you hours of grief.
An important part is the pressure return line zip tie fix at about 42 minutes. The original fuel line retainer locator fingers will most likely break during disassembly. Not to worry. No drilling required. Use 4" long small zip ties to locate the tank fitting. I left my zip ties snug, not tight, so the pressure and return lines in the crossover tube had just a little movement.
During dissassembly, I was
not able to pull the crossover tube back far enough to see the stuck fuel lines inside the crossover tube. I found on Reddit a tip where a guy removed the right inner fender so he could attach a pull cord from the right side to the crossover tube left side locking ring. Link below. It worked great. I
improvised and used some light gage wire/cable and a 4" radiator clamp to attach the wires to the crossover locking ring. Using two wires spaced evenly allows you to retract the crossover tube straighter for easier removal and later assembly. I used clamps to secure the wire in the right wheel well after I pulled the crossover tube. I was able to easily open a gap of 1" or more and revealed the pressure lines fitting. I wouldn't use a "come-along" or heavy duty clamp because if you collapse the crossover tube, you'r screwed. My fuel line fitting was stuck because of normal o-ring fitting friction. Now that I could access the fitting, I was able to overcome the normal o-ring friction with a pick in just a couple of minutes.
Although I did not use Electrical household wire, copper 14 gage electrical wire, I think two strands of 14 Ga wire would be perfect for strength and required flexibility to get over the transmission to the right side wheel well. Make a loop in one end of the wire and place radiator clamp in loops. Secure the clamp to the crossover tube then pull the wires snug at first, mark the wires in the right wheel well with tape so you can pull / retract the crossover tube straight, or straighter, from the tank.
Reddit link:
Securing the above wire/cable with a 4" radiator clamp also will give you much better leverage to rotate the locking ring for removal and installation. It also help you locate the ring correctly for assembly. I was able to engage the locking ring tabs easily by hand but could not muster enough strength in the tight space to lock it into place, even after lubrication all the surfaces. With the radiator clamp on the locking ring, I was able to place one hand above the fitting for support, use a 24" socket extension with a 5/16" socket on it, to easily push / rotate the locking ring into location.
Good luck
