C5 scuttle panel removal - stuck again!

[MagicMark]

I'm trying to remove the scuttle panel grill on a C5 Exclusive Estate, 2004.

Citroen's own instructions blithely tell you to remove lower windscreen trim, wiper retention nuts, wiper arms, four bolts, and then "Remove the scuttle grill".
However, removal of the grill requires sliding it towards the front of the car, to unhook the part nearest the windscreen. That movement is prevented by a rubber doughnut on the shaft of the wiper nearest to the centreline of the car. I can't find a way to remove that doughnut without destroying it!
Any hints on how to remove it will be most welcome!

Thank you in advance.

Mark

[aspire_helen]

I have removed the scuttle a couple of times on my 2001 C5 and recall no difficulty with the rubber grommet...it levers off. The aspect which puzzled me was why only one shaft had the grommet. You will see from the attached photo that I simply fashioned replacement seals from foam rubber to minimise water ingress.

[MagicMark]

Thank you for your thoughts. I'll be more aggressive with the washer. I like your enhancement, too.

I suspect that only the centre wiper had a grommet because water going past the other wiper would drip into the water outlet into the wheel arch, whereas water from the more central wiper would drip into the air intake - and hence into the car. Looking at the grease in your pictures makes me wonder whether that was Citroen's solution to water ingress - use lots of grease, and hope that by the time the grease has gone (and water can get in) the car is out of warranty.
Mark

[aspire_helen]

I believe you are correct re the single grommet. Other threads talk about water from that intake causing problems in the drivers (RHD) footwell. The grease was mine. Its main purpose is to lubricate the foam rubber seal, but also the shaft taper to ease removal of wiper arms. I suppose I should have used red rubber grease.

[MagicMark]

Hmm. Not so sure. Red rubber grease is silicone grease. That's great on rubber, but will damage silicone rubber. Given that grommet / doughnut has lasted 20 years (in my case, at least) it's more likely to be silicone rubber than real rubber. So I'd make sure that I had a spare grommet available before trying red rubber grease on it.
Mark