Can anyone give some insight on tips/tricks on removing a stuck side seal.



I started with one rotor that had a stuck side seal. I ended up butchering this rotor. So I searched in the tri state area and got another 3rdgen rotor © but this came with a stuck side seal again.



This time I am trying to remove it the right way. I let the rotor sit in solvent for a few days to loosen things up.



I then sanded down the face of the rotor with sandpaper and removed any material that was covering it. I then used the side seal spring to gently pull it out.



Of course the side seal snapped and I am left with pieces in the middle. Before I damage this rotor, can anyone shed any light on what you do to remove stuck side seals? There has to be an easy way. Even if the rotor is not usable anymore, I just want to know what you guys do to get them out?



For more close up pics, click here.. http://www.rx7s.com/rotor/index.htm



Here is a pic of the stuck seal...





Here is a pic of the rotor I butchered.





For more close up pics, click here.. http://www.rx7s.com/rotor/index.htm



Thanks for the help!



Anthony

 

HA, isnt it fun....i used a lot of TLC when removing the stuck seals.

the side seal spring worked for me for a bit. pulling on it gently upward, while spraying the hell out of it with wd40. also using another side seal or carefully using a small flat head screw driver and try to push/hit/bang towards the corner seal opening.



hope that helps

 

I used a lot of WD 40, another piece of side seal and a ball peen hammer to tap the piece of side seal into the other one at an angle.

 

yeah i dont really try to go up, but slide it in the groove, usually once it loosens up it can be worked up and out

 

Soak the seal and the groove in carb cleaner. The carbon is what is holding it in. Carb cleaner will dissolve the carbon. Apply the carb cleaner and let it soak. The longer the better but usually a few minutes are all that are neccesary. You can use an old seal to work in the groove and help you pop the old seal out. There is no reason to damage a rotor attempting to remove old seals.

 

well it could be pinched in there if there was contact...



i put a old seal in sideways and tap it with a hammer, thus pushing the broken peice. i work it out, or to the corner seal slot and pull it out that way.



make sure you get that grove into spec before rebuilding

 

Carb cleaner may not work if that rotor is rusted.

 

There is penetrating lubricants you can use.. Let it soak in a lubricant for a while if it's quite rusty...

 

Well if the rotor is beat up and rusted why are we reusing it?

 

The rotor is actually in good condition and I don' t want to damage it as I did the last one. I will try the slide out the side method.



I tried pushing it with another side seal but they keep breaking. I am going to now use a smaller feeler guage and push with that instead.



Thanks for the response guys.



Anthony