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 (C) 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

 

Try putting it in the freezer for a couple hours.

 

usually setting it ATF, WD-40, PB-Blaster overnight loosens the carbon up enough to remove stuck seals. If that hasn't worked for you the only other suggestion I'd have is to get a barrel of parts cleaner/mineral spirits and let it sit in there for a day, then try to remove the seal. It may remain stuck but alot of the carbon should come out. If it stays stuck after the first time, sit it in there for another day, it rarely takes more than 2 times. Hell if it does take more than 2 times, I'd say screw it and get another rotor.

 

It looks like the seal groove is wasted anyway.

 

soak it in some industrial carb cleaner/chem dip. i got a 5 gal. bucket of it, works great for soaking the rotors....

 

looks like the rotors is junk.

 

there is a way to get them out but by the look of the rotor to much damage has been done
to even bother now.
matt

 

His good rotor still looks like it's in good shape, from the pics at least. The beat up rotor is the one that is shown in the bottom pic.

I can usually get them out with the help of another side seal, but it looks like you have a much more problematic seal than mine are.

 

That's was an easy one but it now looks like you beat it up pretty bad.

 

usally when I have to remove a side seal with another they're to brittle and break..One thing I tryed that did work was using a mechanical pencil to bring the side seal spring up and pulling up directly . its worked for me.
good luck
-Turbo II-FB

 

One thing I dont understand is how they are stuck in the first place... is it just carbon buildup, or did the grooves actually LOSE clearance?

 

Looks to me that it is not due to carbon buildup, but rather due to impact (ie, the side seal is mashed into the goove). This can be caused by the rotor impacting the side housing, which is commonly seen when the engine spins a bearing (among other things). In the link that AnthonyNYC provided, some of the pictures show obvious marks from where the rotor was rubbing against the side plate.

-Rob

 

Here is a trick I used. Get a good quality utility knife (the blade is triangular), with the blade facing down, push against the seal, the blade will act like a wedge and push the seal up and out of the groove.

 

I just ended up getting another rotor but this is a great suggesstion.

Thanks,

Anthony