yeah i took the cover off. The covers are'nt water tight anyway, so water will get behind them. I don't drive thro muddy fields, so its only really water were talking about...although i have'nt checked lately.
I thought about cutting a hole in the cover & using sealant around it, but they really are not water tight at all.
They do not want to come out once they are forced in with the trolley jack and weight of the car.