Help with rubber airbox manifolds

[PAtkins]

There was a post some time ago by someone that was trying to re-install their carburetor but had trouble connecting the rubber air box manifolds to the intake side of the carburetors. I am now in this same boat. It appears that the rubber has gotten hard and will not flex. It has bad memory. I ordered new ones and my question is whether or not I can remove them by pulling them into the air box and then reinsert new ones in the air box or do I have to pull the carbs again and insert the new rubber manifolds from the carburetor side. Any assistance is greatly appreciated.

[Triangles]

It's been years since I had my carbs out. IIRC I pulled the air filter out so I could access the rubber from inside the air box and simply pushed the rubber "boots" onto the carbs. I probably used some silicone tire shine as lubricant. Once I had the airbox "boots" on I simply pushed the carb forward onto the rubber "boots" to the intake ports. Not sure if this will be of any help. Let us know what you figure out.