Lateral play in the cluch shaft - ok or shim?
 

Hi Everyone


I’m rebuilding my engine botom end (new bearings, oil seals etc are now in there) and I notice that there’s a bit of lateral play in the shaft that the clutch is attached to – if I pull the clutch housing towards me, the whole shaft will shift by approximately 1.5 millimetres.

The looseness is inside the crankcase – I can see the bearings shift sideways in their recess in the crankcase.

Should I reopen and install a shim, or is this looseness ok/normal?


Things to bear in mind:

- I didn’t notice this before (it may have been there or it may not) and there were no shims inside the crankcase when i opened it up

- A spare engine bottom-end that i have also has this same looseness.

- I’ve already put on the camshafts and timing chain (so I’m reluctant to go back in and re-buy new gaskets etc)….but if it needs doing, it needs doing…


Looking forward to your replies!


Cheers,

Pev

Ps – bike is an XT350 1989, but I’m thinking that there are probably some similarities/conventions

follow-up
 

Well - I've opened it up and the ball bearing race recess at the 'other' side had worn down towards the vertical twisting clutch shifter...in fact, the seat of the bearing had actually worn through in a couple of places....I thought it looked a bit odd at the time!...

Lesson learned:
- If it looks odd, actively wonder why!

...so, I'm going to put in a washer as a shim. I suppose its only a matter of time before it grinds down again, but there are probably a good few miles left.