After reading the tips of resetting the new seals - I went down to the local building supply store - front main/idler plate in hand - to pick up a couple ABS plumbing plugs - well - not really what I thought would work...

So - I came home, and since I had some extra seals, was feeling pretty brave.

I placed the plate on a flat surface - set the new seal on the opening - then I set a flat piece of hardwood (piece from an oak pallet) on top of the seal and flatly and firmly tapped the seal down till it was flush (in between each tap I checked that the seal was not going in crooked).

Once it was flush - I placed the old seal upside down on the new seal - being careful to align the edges - and the placed the hardwood on top the old seal - and tapped the new seal down an additional couple mm.

It appears to be in place very squarely and there are no marks or tears on the seal...

Has anyone done anything like this before? - what are the hazards (besides cracking the front plate) ??

Just in case you do not have a well stocked plumbing store nearby - or do not have the pricey tools - this worked in a pinch...