The weatherstrip on my AD was pretty rock hard as well. It was crimped in only one place to hold it in place (maybe both ends
). I did the oil soak thing and was able to pull most of it out with pliers, and then ran a screwdriver and awl along the channel to get the remnants out. I only uncrimped it where it had been crimped, not along the whole length. Don't go crazy with opening up the channel.
When you go to put it back in, put a little silicone grease on it and PULL it into the channel. Pulling narrows the rubber a bit, while pushing just makes it bunch up.
