Fire, Exactly what I was thinking! Then I did use brake cleaner. Found that you can grab one end of the felt and it unravels, seen in attached video link, all you need to do is spin the cable in your hand as you pull the felt..its one strand. I anchored the felt and spun the cable as I walked away from It. easy as long as there is no break in the strand...just start again.
https://youtu.be/ftNzpUt7N68
Still trying to find a way to clean the tunnel to the motor.