Reverse Cable Seal Replacement

[Caver Dave]

My coworker just bought a 2008 SeaDoo Challenger 180 SE 215 from another coworker. He's got the SC out for rebuilding (should be back tomorrow) and working thru a couple smaller issues prior to vacation in a couple days.

Like most (every other SeaDoo), the reverse cable cable seal is leaking, so he ordered the AL nut/replacement conical rubber seal.
He managed to to get plastic nut spun out, but is now stuck with no means to get the nut over the large corrugated metal "boot" to get it off? (I didn't have that issue on my RXP)

Without mangling it in folly, he can't tell how to get that "boot" off?
Is it even possible on the Challengers?
Or a "replace the entire assembly" once the plastic nut breaks (since you can't get it off)?

[sucks2bu]

If not mistaken you have to disconnect it at the front. Slide the whole thing out the back and then slip the old one off at the front. Rebuild in reverse order.