When I changed mine I could not get the banjo fittings loose so I dropped the pan that the filter and pump sits on and removed both.I was then able to take the filter and pump to my work bench and removed the filter.Oh, one more thing if you do it this way you need to crimp the rubber supply hose to the pump with some vice grips to prevent the gas tank from draining on your driveway.
hope this helps
Dave