area behind kick panel

[macdaddy70]

I have pulled the cowl and cleaned inside cowl and areas behind kick panels as good as I can. The cowl drains are clear, but I am getting water seeping in from the seam where the bottom of the kick panel meets the floor pan. I am thinking of cutting an access panel in the kick panel to see what might be going on. Has anyone done this OR can the kick panels be removed? I want to install carpet, but I need to get this leak stopped. If I just seal the area between the bottom of the panel and floorpan, is that good enough? Can I see this area with the fender removed? Thoughts?