Center section removal

Just as an update. I finally got it out. A combined 6 hours over a few days. I found the thinnest scraper I could at crappy tire. And after much banging (and not caring about being gentle anymore) was finally able to create a spot along the flange and drive it in. I got it driven in in several spots. Then was able to turn it sideways and hammer along the flange. I tried the other side but it would never go in. I used a thicker one and did more of the same. Working my way around the driver side half. Eventually opened it up enough to fit a pry bar in.

The amazing part? Even with no studs in. And the entire drives side pried clean off (could see inside and about 1/4 gap). It would STILL support the weight of the car on the center section itself. That's just boggling to me. Only RTV held it in place. When I finally got it apart. I pulled chunks of RTV the thickness of my pinkie out from the inside of the center section itself. Someone definitely decided to use a whole tube of the stuff.