I started the night excited about putting the 12a back together! but, I ran into a large problem...

So, as I was prepping the rotors, I put the corner seals in and one of them wouldn't go in. So I tried to force it and realized that was a bad idea. I've gotten the other two on that side down and they are a little springy like they should be, but I don't know what to do to make this seal fit.
Should I take some sandpaper and try to clean the hole out/make it bigger? Or do I try something else?
This is my first rebuild and I don't want to do anything fundamentally wrong. I'm afraid that if I just push it down in it won't seal and it will all be a waste.
I'm about to go batshit insane since this has taken me so long to put back together. I'm bound and determined to get this thing back together by Wednesday night.
Thanks guys.

 

While I can't offer you advice on your problem specifically, I can offer the take your time, patience comment.

The minute you start setting deadlines that are very soon, the minute something starts to go wrong.

Did you clean out where the spring goes really well so there is not any carbon or any of that jazz there?

 

Yeah, that's why I stopped. I didn't want to rush and try to force something that didn't want to go. I tried cleaning it out but I'll go back over it again just to make sure.
Deadlines are good sometimes though, it gives me drive and motivation to get something done.

 

Try putting one of the other corner seals in. If it doesn't fit then you most likely need to clean the rotor some more.

Also, if you are reusing your corner seals make sure they are going in the right way (we all have bad days), because they can stick more if put in upsidedown.

 

He should be using a proper rebuild kit right? You don't want to reuse the side seals if you want maximum life out of the rebuild. Just a personal preference. Mazda and Mazdatrix kits come with all new seals.

 

I ordered my kit from Atkins and it comes with solid corner seals. I've also tried putting different seals in and they don't fit either
could it be that my rotor is bent someway?

 

See if you can take some good quailty pics of it.

 

Yeah Im sure some pictures would allow some rebuild gurus to give you a little information.

I wish I had some type of helpful technical advice to add, but I don't.

Just wanted to say relax man, better to get it done correctly later then to finish it incorrectly earlier