OK, on one hand, I feel like a dweeb.
On the other hand, I have that paniced feeling... where you swallow your heart, get that lump in your throat, and !@#%%^& bricks as your heart drops into your stomach and you think you just $%^&*( up your car.

Been there??

In this case, when I went to do my T-Belt change, I noticed a very small, but existing leak at the front exhaust cam seal. I ordered the seals, finished the T-Belt install, re-used the old tensioner instead of putting the new in, and drove the car - all was fine.

Last night, the new cam seals arrived. I went to take off the sprockets.. I do not have any impact tools, so this was a little challenging, but not too bad. Then I just could not get the cam seal out. I tried very gently with a small screwdriver, but the rubber only started to get chewed up.

Did I mention, I am terrified of scoring the camshaft journal or seat for the seal!

I went out and bought some tools - a pick designed particularly for oil seal removals, and a pick set. All tips are bending on these picks, and still no budge of the original seal!

My new seal has a "spring" like retainer going around the inside (see pics; wide / tight)... I presume the old is the same, but I can not seem to engage this spring, or when I do, it does not budge, and the pick tips bend.

Is there some trick??
Should I be using WD-40 or some kind of lubricant around the seal??

Any help would be awesome, considering I am supposed to be in court tomorrow and that is a two hour drive from here!

Thanx.
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1995 850T Wagon 120k