Yes, Scott, there is a method of madness in doing this procedure.
Trimming the cord only as you have described doesn't work. You have to pull back the outer covering to expose the inner cord. Maybe an inches worth, then trim the inner part only, then pull the outer skin back and do the glue trick you mention, but only on the outer skin.
This will allow you to insert the glued outer skin part through the flange holes far enough whereby you can grab it and pull the rest of the material through that is needed to do the repair.
Keith McGavern, RPT
Shawnee, Oklahoma, USA
tune-repair@allegiance.tv -------------------------------------------