Sure it's tough to get in? I pulled out a section about 1 foot long and then pushed it right back into place. Certainly doesn't appear to require pulling the window to replace it. I think you are right about the top piece, but not the bottom. It may also depend on how much black adhesive is bound to the strip...it might be tough to pull it if it were really set in there.
Here is a link I read on TT.net about the lower piece...