Side seal removal, need help
 

Ok, I got two sets of TII rotors that I'm cleaning for my rebuild. 1 set I've picked clean except I can't get the side seals out, they're stuck real good. the other set I've tried and tried to get anything off and can't. Both sets have been sitting in a mix of penerating and degreaser designed not to eche any metals for about two weeks now. I need helpful advice to get this rebuild back on track. I don't mind breaking seals cause everything getting replaced.

Use Carburetor Cleaner, I have used the Berryman brand before, they come in 1 gallon cans. After about 2 days soaking, my rotors almost looked like they were new

I use an exacto knife, needle nose pliers, and a piece of a broken side seal to get them out.

Ok, I tried carb cleaner and brake cleaner and managed to only loosen the ends, so I grabbed a small dental pick and broke about 1" off the ends, better than nothing. Tommorrow I'll try spraying the seals with compressed N2 to see if alittle freezing helps in removal, or maybe place dry ice around the edges, I'm trying to stay away from freezing entire rotor cause I don't want the main bearing to dislodge.

Ford dealers have a carb cleaner that foams when you spray it, it doesn't evaporate out quickly. Works quite well.

use a hacksaw blade or a broken peice of seal to drive the side seal out by the corner seal groove

I was able to get them out with patience and a powerfull magnet

How powerful?

Sometimes I see rotors with rust or corrosion and in these cases very often the seals can NOT be gotten out with out damaging the rotor itself beyond use. The problem lies with people that allow engines to sit unturned for long periods, usually with water inside. The compressed seals lock up, and even once the engine is disassembled the seals cannot decompress because they are rusted solid. Since they sit nearly flush with the outside edge of the rotor, you can't get any tool onto the seal to pull it out.

I usually take a cheap screwdriver and grind it down to a hair smaller than the side seal groove. Use it to try and drive the seal out by tapping on it with a hammer. IF that doesnt work, it's probably never going to come out without destroying the rotor beyond use.

Try Muriatic Acid after washing with a degreaser.
The acid dissolves the rust but leaves the surrounding iron fine.

Still nothing, hoping Kevin isn't correct. Scathcart, I got 4 gallons of muriatic acid locked up, never thought of using that nasty stuff. Will it harm the main bearing by any chance, should I dilute?