Cam chain auto tensioner
 

Tonight I installed my auto tensioner and I retracted the tensioner spring all the way before installing and tightening mounting bolts. first thing that I'm not sure about is when I let go of the screw driver that was holding the spring all the way tightened, the plunger or whatever the hell that presses against the chain barely unwound. Should it have been that way? Also, the service manual gave no torque specs for the two bolts that mount the tensioner to the cylinder head. Should there be?? Thanks guys

02 cbr954

there's no real torque value for those bolts, just get them good and tight. was the gasket still in good condition? that'll need to seal pretty well, but if the seal looked okay, and you get the bolts tight, it'll do just fine.

after you get it in is when you set the tensioner - it sounds like you got everything right.

I replaced the gasket with a new one. It just suprises me that there is no torque spec for them. What if I were an idiot and tightened the hell out of them and cracked the area where the tensioner is mounted? :icon_gunhead:

well, i think they're a softer bolt, so worst case scenario, you'd snap the head off the bolt and not damage tensioner or case. but ya, just good and tight, not too tight, sounds like you did it perfect. its always good to replace the gaskets - good job - that's the right way to do it. i'll re-use them if they're in really good shape, or i'll take a lil bit of hi-temp silicone to it if need be.

how'd you get it in there? Did you end up dropping a frame bolt or two? I was about to do it and couldn't get my hands in there, so my tensioner sits on the shelf, haha.

My engine is completely out of the bike, sitting on the ground.

Do what I did, get your girlfriend to do it. Without someone with small hands I have no idea how people can get their hands in there. My hands were scraped up and swollen for 2 days after trying.

Yea, might have to. I want to say I've heard of people dropping the motor slightly to create more room. Hasn't tried it yet

Having dropped my motor completely out of the bike. I want to say that it would be real easy to just swing the motor down on the rear mount. As long as the hoses and wiring will stretch that far. Will take some time and work though making the motor safely moveable though. Service manual FTW

if you've got a good hydraulic jack stand, or two of them, you'll be able to easily "lower" the motor. it doesn't take much. just go slow, make sure you're not caught on anything.