Thank you to all who provided information. We took just 30 minutes to complete the task. Here are our comments/suggestions on dealing with a Bosch Exxcel 1200 Express machine. I suspect most Bosch washers are similar. You will need the following:
a. Star-shaped screwdriver (NOT cross/philips type);
b. Normal (flat) screwdriver;
c. Pliers.
Obviously you will need a new door seal (boot) - available from Bosch. They have a very efficient mail-order system. Cost at June 2010 was ~£40.
1. Unplug machine from electricity;
2. Remove soap dispense tray;
3. Remove fluff filter door (bottom right of front of machine);
4. Remove retaining screws holding on plastic skirt at bottom front of machine;
5. Carefully remove wire/spring retainer, noting position of spring (at 8 O'Clock position) - you should NOT need a replacement and you do not need to separate the spring from the wire;
6. Ease old seal (boot) from front panel;
7. Remove retaining screws(three) at soap drawer opening, plus those at bottom (revealed after plastic skirt removal);
8. Slide front panel off (no need to remove door) - take care to unplug cable connection to door lock mechanism;
9. Remove rear spring on seal(boot) with drum, noting it connects at the top;
10. Disconnect the water inlet pipe from old seal (boot) - located at the 11 O'Clock position - use pliers to ease tension on retaining metal 'coil' - you should not need a replacement - do not try to pry it open;
11. Remove old seal (boot) and clean the revealed white plastic strip on the drum.
Fitting is simply the reverse process. The only 'tricky' parts are getting the tension on the inner spring retainer and the wire-spring (outer) retainer. This is where an extra pair of hands is very helpful. With the inner spring, we found that if one person held one end at the 12 O'Clock position, the other person could fit it whilst applying tension and wrapping it around the seal (boot) to meet the other end. Fitting the wire-spring outer retainer is a bit like fitting a tyre back on a wheel rim - use spoons to help with the fitting.
Honestly, it is very easy. If we got paid the going rate we would be rich men......
BB & DB
Brian
June 2010