After reading this post and this one on Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/nikon18-70dx/discuss/ I found the perfect lens removal tool... The suction cup windshield mount for my Garmin auto GPS device! Sucked it right oto the front of the lens and it twisted out just fine. See the pics and details I added to the Flickr post.
I needed to take it apart badly. The lens had so much dirt and water spots inside from condensation, it was unusable. (In fact the D80 it was attached to died in the incident). I think this may have saved the lens at least.
bobotron