Rasafrassin' nogood blickablackin' risafrassin...front crankshaft oil seal (CGT)

[Jonathan Monetti]

I have met my match.  As a last resort before ordering the $100+ front crank
oil seal removal tool, anyone have a good BTDT?

This is an 87.5 NG-motored CGT undergoing a slow (night, weekend) TB change.
All was going well until I got to the front oil seal.  I have a new one on
hand, so I can see how it's made & how it fits, but for the life of me can't
get the old one out.  I was trying to avoid buying VAG 3083, and had read a
few archived posts and web comments that some folks have...

1) slid it right out, no problem
2) done it with dental picks and/or needlenose
3) driven two drywall screws into the seal's front face and pulled it out
easily

But mine seems to have been placed there by Satan.  None of the above (nor
some creative alternatives) have worked.  I guess I'll need to buy 3083, but
last ditch questions:

-anyone know who might rent this tool in the NE ($100+ to buy a tool I'll
use once, maybe twice goes a little against the grain)
-or have any good Rube Goldberg solutions that have worked for you

Thanks in advance
Jonathan Monetti

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