Rule 1 don't get rid of an old part until a month after the new one is in and performing correctly. The foam? Even a soft rubber would work it can be contact cemented on, if the mechanic was really a mechanic he or she would figure it out, that is what mechanicing is, I guess it shows you not many real mechanics are left we are dying off or just to old and broke down to do it anymore, hmmm Billy comes to mind.