Apparently tool 6783 is required, but I couldn't find an equivalent after looking many places. Apparently there is an alternate method... please enlighten me.

I'm hoping to get the trans out right away to get the flywheel down to the machine shop!

 

If it is like my 96, you need to push down and turn the spring collar CCW. Two screwdrivers and a little muscle and it should pop out.

 

Pretty much what contractor said, but I like to use 90* picks, for seals.

 

Same idea but I use a hammer and smack a screw driver at a 45 degree angle down and CCW. If you look close there is a corner for the screw driver to rest on. Works pretty well.

 

After some struggling, I popped it out with only my fingers! I am superman haha!

I ended up getting delayed with a friend and beer... the tranny itself should come out tomorrow. I had to angle grind some of the bolts down to size on the drive shaft support bearing, as I don't have metric extended sockets... other swearing and cursing also occurred.

 

Wait til you put it back on.