[Ellery]

Well Dr. Joe's point about the magnetism is one thing but for working on DC motor design for a bunch of years in my automotives years the removal of the can will impact the pressure placed on the armature by the thrust bearing , especially with the old seat and windowlift motors. These motors are dynotested and torque adjusted to spec on the line and once the motor is disassembled they will not return to the adjusted performance.

As far as the CIM motors go they may have a similar setup. It's a brushed motor with an armature that magnetized post assembly so once it is pulled out it may slightly affect the field by going against the permanent magnet fields. As always motor performance repeatability is always an issue once it is dismantled.

Just my 2 cents, It's been a while....

Ellery