In two weeks I'll be replacing my clutch and flywheel due to the dual mass flywheel beginning to disintegrate. Seems like a good time to do the rear main seal, but I've seen forum posts about how you need to drop the upper oil pan and all sorts of added labor. On the other hand at 2:55 in this video the mechanic pops the RMS right out using what looks like a tiny prybar and a hammer.

Is this job one of those things which is different depending from the DEs to Rev-ups or something like that? Can anybody who has done this job comment?

 

You don't need to drop the oil pan just work it from the sides near the alignment dowels and it'll pop off eventually once you get the factory RTV to come loose. Work one side a little then switch to the other and keep going back and forth until it's all nice and loose. I wouldn't recommend just going nuts on it like that guy did in the video though, There is a little bit of casting on the back of the block raised up about 1/8" thick so make sure you aren't trying to just hammer your screwdriver into that raised piece.

Make sure to drain your oil or you will be making a huge unexpected mess lol.