Okay. Here is a video that shows it just lifts straight out which means your is just stuck.
That screeching and scratching sounds that you are hearing is the pump rubbing the hosing so it is probably just hung up.
Have you tried pulling on it with some pretty good force straight up? If you are replacing it with a new fuel level arm then I would not worry about breaking anything.
If you can't pry it out with your fingers, I would get two medium sized pry bars that have an angled end so you can get some leverage and just pry it up evenly on both sides. You may have to walk it out by lifting one side then the other.
It should come out but if this is the original pump it has almost 20 years of sitting in the same place so it won't want to come easily.
https://youtu.be/eOQMquDwFkM
Thursday, July 18th, 2019 AT 8:26 PM