Hi David,
Yes, I saturated the thing in liquid hand soap. There were 2 of us at it. The first time that I ripped the rubber, it was quite bad and in 2 different places. I decided to use that damaged rubber as a practice bit and then buy a new one once I was comfortable with doing it with the practice bit.
My friend and I tried it again and again with the practice bit and eventually got it in place but (due to the rips) it leaked as badly as the old rubber that I was replacing. I ordered a new one and did exactly the same again with it. Loads and loads of soap. Washing line inside the ridge to pull it through. Softly softly approach. Mate inside the car pushing out. Line wrapped round a screwdriver to aid pulling,,, and the bugger tore again at one of the corners!!! I stopped working on it instantly this time so I'm hoping that (with one small tear) that this rubber may still be salvagable. Even before it tore, as it snagged, I was pouring more liquid soap into it.
I'm glad to say that I've calmed down a bit from my rant last night but Jeez what a horrible job that is. It's very frustrating. Wettest summer on record and car leaking like a seive from both ends. Until I bought a car cover I had to leave buckets inside the car to collect the water (and I was emptying them every day). I can't keep anything in the car and had a number of things I wanted to change to the interior of the car since I bought it but have been unable to as it would just get water damaged.
and, as for the suggestion that this is a cosmetic job and not required, I BEG TO DIFFER !!!
