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Cam chain tensioner parts - are these serviceable?

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  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

Guest
I'm rebuilding my cam chain tensioner and it appears to be pretty beat up but can I save these 3 parts or should I look into replacement? I've got a cracked plastic knob, worn push rod shaft & a divot in the tensioner rod angled area. Any assistance is greatly appreciated.
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Tensioner assemblies show up all the time on ebay less than $10- yours is serviceable but I'd opt for a replacement. Have you inspected your cam timing to be safe?
 
The cracked knob should be replaced. I don't know why they used plastic on some of these. I don't know for sure if it can be replaced with the metal knob from another tensioner (such as one from an 850) but I'd suspect it can.

The face of the tensioner rod can be ground or sanded to get rid of the divot, but these are still available from Suzuki for many models -- not sure about yours.

The wear on the other part is inconsequential.
 
I do not know why they used the sorry ass plastic for the knobs. I had 4 plastic knobbed cam chain tensioners for my '82 GS1100EZ. Each one with a plastic knob is cracked, and I destroyed one knob just trying to break loose the nut that held it on. Seems the bond from whatever lock-tite that was used to secure the nut was stronger than the knob itself.
So, I see the GS1000 has a solid steel knob, and I'm going to replace my
plastic knob cam chain tensioner with a steel knob one after my upcoming move. These solid knob tensioners are on most of the other GS models, just got to get one with two holes instead of the three. There's a zillion on E-bay starting at about $10. I will rebuild it with new seals.
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These cam chain tensioners are an amazingly common part among Suzuki GS's, just make sure you get the 3-bolt one (not 2). I have an '82 850G which originally came with the plastic knob also - that seems to be the timeframe for the breakable ones. The plastic knob cannot be bought from OEM parts fiches, nor would you'd want one. The sturdy ones are made of rustable STEEL!

To fix the problem, get a complete tensioner off of ebay, they are usually pretty inexpensive ($20 or less with shipping). Use the best parts from your original and the ebay replacement. Spend $7 or so on new gaskets/seals, use Brwingers rebuild guide and you're like new.
 
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