The wedge removal apparatus includes an elongated frame having telescopic elements at opposite ends with cylinders to engage pads along opposite sides of the frame against diametrically opposed wedges of stator core slots. The frame mounts a linear drive assembly carrying a carriage for longitudinal movement relative to the drive assembly and frame. The carriage mounts diametrically opposed heads and a cylinder displaces the heads radially outwardly to engage the wedges and compress underlying ripple springs. Saws carried by the heads cut through the wedges as the carriage is displaced along the frame and without binding because of the force applied to the wedges compressing the ripple springs. The linear drive assembly is rotated to discrete circumferential positions to cut the wedges of additional diametrically opposed slots.