Help me escape from B2 hell

[tjohn]

TLDR version - the piston is out, the metal tube/bushing is not, how in the world do you get that thing out of there?

Full version - I've known about the B2 piston transmission issue for years, and since my car is in the affected range, I'd always expected to do it. I even went so far as to save the write up from the old R/E list so I'd be ready when the day came. So, when I abruptly lost my forward gears but still had reverse a week ago, I knew exactly what I was dealing with. I checked out all the pictorials, got a new piston and the updated plastic/teflon tube, and went to work. The piston was out in three hours, most of which was spent on the cover - the piston was wedged in there in a way that made it tought to push it in enough to remove the retaining circlip. Then I go to work on trying to remove the metal sleeve. Won't budge. I try the black sealing ring in front of it - won't budge. I pry, I pick, I tear bits of the rubber, but still no luck. I let the thing sit for a week, and came back to it this weekend, but no go. There's a lot written about removing the piston, but not nearly as much about the bushing. My sealing ring seems to be RTV in place - it's showing no signs of going anywhere. Anyone who's been there got the slightest hint????