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Apex seal groove clearance to tight

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Old Mar 18, 2011 | 03:54 PM
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Apex seal groove clearance to tight

So, im specing out parts for my rebuild today.
And it turns out that the apex seals groove on every one of my rotors is to tight.
They are not damaged in any way, and look to be extremely low mileage.

Im rather confused on what i should be doing at this point.
They seem so tight that they would bind up when they reach operating temperature.
I cannot even get a .0015 in feeler gauge into the slot.
Basically i am wondering what my actions should be this point.
I have heard somewhere that the grooves can be sanded down carefully, but im not really liking that method.

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Old Mar 18, 2011 | 05:00 PM
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what apex seals are you using?

if the clearance is too tight, i feel better modifying the seal, not the rotor. at the end of the day, it's your choice though. i know Goopy sells a rotor kit that comes with a file for that purpose.
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Old Mar 18, 2011 | 05:02 PM
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They are Atkins seals.
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Old Mar 18, 2011 | 05:05 PM
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From: https://www2.mazda.com/en/100th/
i would also modify the seal.

and since the seals are more likely to be big than the rotor too small, i'd also check the apex seal clearance to the corner seal slot
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Old Mar 18, 2011 | 05:13 PM
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yep. i machined mine down to get the clearance. my rotors are pristine and i didn't want to machine the slots. i get the feeling most people do the slots though.
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Old Mar 18, 2011 | 05:16 PM
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Alright, what would be the best method for this?

Piece of glass and sand paper?
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Old Mar 18, 2011 | 05:29 PM
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I feel like an idiot.
turns out the feeler gauge i was using wasnt what it was marked...
i tried a different set and everything is perfect.

Thanks a lot anyhow.
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Old Mar 19, 2011 | 07:15 PM
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haha...
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Old Apr 1, 2011 | 09:34 AM
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From: queens n.y.
Originally Posted by Brodie121
Alright, what would be the best method for this?

Piece of glass and sand paper?
that would be the right way......the feeler gauge tricked you...
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Old Apr 1, 2011 | 09:57 AM
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I was going to recommend OEM apex seals
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Old Apr 1, 2011 | 12:08 PM
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From: https://www2.mazda.com/en/100th/
Originally Posted by Brodie121
I feel like an idiot.
turns out the feeler gauge i was using wasnt what it was marked...
i tried a different set and everything is perfect.

Thanks a lot anyhow.
this is why you sand the seal! rotors are EXPENSIVE
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