stroke of luck on heater matrix td5

Well how to start, and I know there will be people out there who wont believe me but I had a problem with a sudden leak from my heater matrix on my 2000 td5. So on site I went and read all the story's about taking the dash out etc, (Depressive mood soon set in at the thought of the task in hand). so I started removing the drivers foot well parts and there it was the matrix in full view took off the clamps holding the pipes in place on the matrix, and the clamps that held the pipes in place in the foot well a bit tight but do able with modern tools eased the pipes away gently so as not to damage the rubber seals and also one small vent control bar,this left the matrix free, removed the drivers foot well dash strengthener as this was in direct line with the matrix, fuse board cover and foot rest brackets, same in the passenger side. But only took out the covers for the heater and glove box, on the end of the heater box in the passenger side was a slot through which I could see the matrix, I found myself a wooden dowel just big enough to fit in the slot and to touch the matrix, going back to the drivers side I double checked and moved any links or pipes that was in the way went back to the passenger side and with my friend keeping a close eye gave it a sharp clout with a hammer and the wood against the matrix through the slot and it moved so with some wiggling and tapping from both sides was able to free up the matrix and take it out from the drivers foot well, the new one went in easy as it didn't have all the foam around it that the original one had to hold and seal it into place. So looking in the shed remembered some old loft insulation was there so I pushed this into place around the outside ends of the matrix from where the foam was now missing put everything back all done in no time not quite the task I thought it would be didn't need to go to the lengths of removing the whole heater box to get the matrix out would love to here if anyone else has been able to do the same Thanks guys