OK quick, stupid, question. Does anyone know of an easy way to get the original factory filter seal out without scratching/damageing the bore? Normally I would just pry an old seal out with a screwdriver, but it is recessed and there isn`t anything to pry against. I have always left the seal alone just for this reason, but with almost 300,000 miles I thought I should change it. I tried to use a small offset screwdriver but all I did was tear the rubber and it did not budge. Now I am commited. Thanks.

 

On my 98 my buddy used a little hook/pick tool that looks like a dentist tool to grab it from the top lip and pull down. Took him about 10 minutes to work it out but he didn't damage a thing besides the old seal.

 

I use a scribe to pull the seal out. Takes less than 10 seconds.

 

Thanks guys, I have a small pick. I thought it would be too wimpy to do the job, but I will try it. Sometimes you just need some confidence. Thanks, Jeff.

 

I used a small screwdriver and kinda tapped one side up in a little farther which gave me a lip to bend the seal. Seemed to work well without scratching the bore.