Its good to know the wood trick works. My lift pump failed at 46,000 miles, stranding me. Car towed to VW and fixed under warranty.
I now cary a spare lift pump, a phillips screwdriver (for the the pump coverplate screws) and a block of wood in the trunk 9I figure I can find something roadside to smack the wood with). I'll be ready next time.
What mileage did your lift pump fail at? AND do you have a Catipilliar 2 micron fuel filter? I wonder if the CAT filter strains the pump more. I put my CAT filter on at 17,000 miles and was about ready to change the filter when the pump failed.
When I got the car back from the dealer, I replaced the filter and cut the old one open. It was black inside, but not more so than pictures that others have posted here of cut open CAT filters.
--Nate