Camshaft freeplay ? Normal or Not?

[skywalker]

Hello guys ,

I am installalling the camshhafts and checking the valve clearance. I noticed that after putting the camshafts together the was some movement of the intake camshaft left and right while the exhaust camshaft didnt move at all. Is this normal ? or is my shim wore out? should there be any movement on the intake camsahft at all?

I also notice a rumbling sound coming of the top engine when let of the gas could it would cause by that freeplay on the camshaft?

Any suggestion or ideas would be appreaciate

Thanks

[gsJack]

It was normal and even quite common on GS500's until they finally fixed it on recent year GS-F models.  Caused a deep thuding sound as it knocked back and forth but only at idle on a hot engine and would stop as the engine speed picked up to a fast idle and faster.  Doubt it was the cause of your rumbling sound. There was an expensive fix for it that involved new cams and shimming.

The infamous cam knock and I had it off and on with both my 97 and 02 GS's but haven't heard it for a long time now, type of oil can affect it.  I never considered doing anything about it once I figured out what it was and that it was harmless.