I'm trying to tackle a cam follower replacement for the first time on my '08 which has the rubber line rather than the banjo bolt. After getting everything loose, when I pull back on the pump I can't get the rubber line/barb to clear the hard fuel line that runs behind it. I can pull the pump out a bit, but not far enough to clear it out of the hole in the head. I am reluctant to bend and angle the pump too much.

If I twist the pump a little bit counter clockwise it looks like it may get by, but then the large sensor (gray connector) hits the hard coolant line. Any harm in removing this sensor from the pump? I think if I took of the big sensor/sender off the pump, I may be able to twist the pump enough to get it out. But. I haven't read of anyone using this method. Thoughts?

Thanks!