Here's the trick I used that I found from the archives:

http://gerry.vanagon.com/cgi-bin/wa.exe?A2=ind9907A&L=vanagon&P=R10515
It states:

One can also use an open ended wrench (15mm or 17mm if I remember
correctly). If you look at the wrench, the open end is angled to
one side (at least on my Craftsman wrenches). The outside prong
of the wrench with its smooth curve with increasing radius,
then makes a fine lever if you insert it between the head and the
tabs on the jugs (and one of those two sizes will just fit
in that space). This worked when all kinds of tapping and prying
with screwdrivers and gently tapping chisels in that space
did not...

This worked for me wonderfully.

Blake

On Tue, 18 Nov 2003, Vanagon Man wrote:

> Allright,
>
> Who has been here?  I am on the 1/2 side of the van, and 2 is out of the
> head, but #1 is sticking........it has slipped out of the head about 1/3rd
> of what it needs to.  I have pried, wriggled jiggled, tapped, and no luck.
>
> Who has been here and can take me the rest of the way?
>
> Adam P
> Charleston,SC     Coburn, WV
> 81  Westy "The Brick "
> 70 Single Cab "Whitey"
> 74 Beetle "Ol Yeller"
> 73 Transporter (STILL at paint shop)
> 1988 Vanagon Wolfsburg
> 1976 Transporter (New CA bus)
> 1974 412 "Goldmember"
> Used Vanagon Parts for sale (mostly aircooled)
>