** NOTE: This info is applicable only to 96-99 750's and 97-00 600's **
This post was created from a bunch of info collected from old posts, but mainly this info is from Phinsup, Jon T Flesh, and GSXR-Freak.
![Image]()
mucho props to these guys who have been up to their ears in this CCT issue for a long time.
Which GSX-R's are affected by the Cam Chain Tensioner (CCT) problem?
Any year and model bike can develop this problem ! The Suzuki automatic CCT is widely regarded as a total POS, and can go bad on any year/model GSX-R. The issue did not become a recall until 1999, where Suzuki finally realized this problem and owned up to it (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 99V132000). Suzuki superseded the old CCT's with the revised 99 part, so if you order this from Suzuki you will get the good CCT, albeit most agree the manual CCT from APE is a better part anyways. It's your call.
What are the symptoms of the CCT going bad?
A ticking/clicking noise from the right side of the motor, very noticeable at idle. Some say the bike sounds like a diesel, if the tensioner has failed you can cause internal engine damage so if the motor ever sounds terrible like this, do not run the motor and do not ride the bike. The automatic tensioner bolts can back out and cause timing jumps, which can bend your valves or cause other internal damage. This $50 quick fix can turn into a $500+ looooong fix or lead to a seized motor which can cause a crash etc.
Jon T Flesh reported a hydraulic automatic tensioner going bad in only 100 miles, and GSXR-Freak recommends checking the tension every 6000 miles or so (tension can only be adjusted on the manual tensioner though, of course). If you have the manual tensioner already and get the "diesel" or clicking sound, it is wise to check the tension in the cam chain immediately.
What should I do about this problem?
The most widely used replacement cam chain tensioner from the guys on this board is the manual CCT from APE. It is around $50 and is available from http://www.aperaceparts.com (part number for the 96-99 GSX-R750 manual CCT is ST750GX). Make sure to get the CCT gasket as well, as it needs to be replaced when you remove the old CCT. John at APE is a veyr nice guy and will get you rolling quick.
Ready to tackle this yourself? If not, take your bike to a qualified mechanic. You dont want to screw this up.
If you are going to tackle this yourself, its best you have a service manual. It is a good thing to have one, but not totally necessary. Everything contained in this post can get you through this. Or you can just ask the CCT gods (Flesh, Freak, Phinsup, jeff, etc).
Parts / Tools:
New CCT (duh)
New CCT gasket
2 zip ties
angle snips to cut said zip ties
metric alan wrench set
metric socket set
drive wrench / extensions for the socket set, fool!
Long phillips-head screwdriver
Gasket Maker (High Temp RTV silicone, usually the red stuff)
Procedure:
** NOTE: some of these steps are not necessary, i.e. it may be possible to leave the tank propped up, it just makes life a lot easier to remove the tank. Also to remove the tank you might want to remove the tail bodywork, but it is not totally necessary. **
-Remove the right side fairing (bunch of alan head bolts).
-Remove the rider's seat (2 bolts under rear corners of seat).
-Lift (4mm alan) then remove the fuel tank (this procedure is a little different for the 98-99 750's), but in general - unhook the electrical and hose connections to the tank, remove the (2) 12mm bolts that hold the tank hinge bracket to the top of the subframe, lift the tank away from the bike and set it aside.
-Remove the airbox (10mm bolt in front and Phillups for the TB's etc)
-Loosen the TBs from the motor, then push them down and back as far as you can.
-Pull out the spark plug wires (and cam sensor wire if applicable)
-Remove the valve cover (6mm alan) and the top chain guide
-Remove the crank bolt cover on the right side of the crank (10mm alan, silver in color, larger of the two silver caps)
-Turn the crank CLOCKwise (14mm socket) until you can see a hole in both cam sprockets. Never turn the motor counterclockwise.
-Use the ziptie on each cam to hold the chain to the cam (this keeps the chain from jumping when you remove the CCT)
-Move the TBs as far to the front of the bike as you can
On the right hand side (inside) frame rail there is a bracket that holds a few parts to the frame, the bracket is held in with 2 bolts (10mm), remove them then push the whole bracket out of the way.
-Remove the stock CCT (5mm alan). Inspect the old CCT to make sure it was not eaten up by the motor, and little bits are floating around the motor.
-Put a *small dab* of Gasket Maker on the edge of the new CCT gasket and put the gasket on the new CCT. Put the Gasket Maker only on the CCT side of the gasket, not the motor side. And, only use enough to hold the gasket in place so you can get the bolts threaded and down... you shouldn't need much.
-Put the new CCT in the bike and tighten to 16.5 ft-lbs (you can use Loctite if you like)
-Turn in the CCT adjusting bolt until you see the cam chain start to get tight.
-Cut off the two zip ties
-Tighten the CCT until there is about 1/4" deflection in the chain. Measure this equidistant between the two cam sprockets, from top to bottom.
-Turn the motor by hand about 1/2 turn and check the chain again (do this a few times to make sure you get it correct)
-Tighten the lock nut on the CCT to the base of the CCT
-Replace the Valve cover and the bracket on the right side of the frame. Be sure to seat the gasket properly and torque the bolts down to spec. Do not overtighten these bolts!!! they could make your life a living hell if you mess this up.
-Replace the TBs
-Replace the airbox
-Replace the tank
-Replace the crank cover cap
-Replace the right side bodywork
-Replace the seat
I am not sure if the valve cover gasket *must* be replaced, if it looks deteriorated in any way it is wise to replace it, but you will be able to tell if it is not seated properly very quickly if you run the motor --- as it will puke oil like mad!
If you have done everything correct then the motor should start up and not make any abnormal noise. I check and adjust mine about every 6K miles. - John (GSXR-Freak)
![Image]()
[ 05-21-2002, 08:26 PM: Message edited by: jp233 ]
This post was created from a bunch of info collected from old posts, but mainly this info is from Phinsup, Jon T Flesh, and GSXR-Freak.
Which GSX-R's are affected by the Cam Chain Tensioner (CCT) problem?
Any year and model bike can develop this problem ! The Suzuki automatic CCT is widely regarded as a total POS, and can go bad on any year/model GSX-R. The issue did not become a recall until 1999, where Suzuki finally realized this problem and owned up to it (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 99V132000). Suzuki superseded the old CCT's with the revised 99 part, so if you order this from Suzuki you will get the good CCT, albeit most agree the manual CCT from APE is a better part anyways. It's your call.
What are the symptoms of the CCT going bad?
A ticking/clicking noise from the right side of the motor, very noticeable at idle. Some say the bike sounds like a diesel, if the tensioner has failed you can cause internal engine damage so if the motor ever sounds terrible like this, do not run the motor and do not ride the bike. The automatic tensioner bolts can back out and cause timing jumps, which can bend your valves or cause other internal damage. This $50 quick fix can turn into a $500+ looooong fix or lead to a seized motor which can cause a crash etc.
Jon T Flesh reported a hydraulic automatic tensioner going bad in only 100 miles, and GSXR-Freak recommends checking the tension every 6000 miles or so (tension can only be adjusted on the manual tensioner though, of course). If you have the manual tensioner already and get the "diesel" or clicking sound, it is wise to check the tension in the cam chain immediately.
What should I do about this problem?
The most widely used replacement cam chain tensioner from the guys on this board is the manual CCT from APE. It is around $50 and is available from http://www.aperaceparts.com (part number for the 96-99 GSX-R750 manual CCT is ST750GX). Make sure to get the CCT gasket as well, as it needs to be replaced when you remove the old CCT. John at APE is a veyr nice guy and will get you rolling quick.
Ready to tackle this yourself? If not, take your bike to a qualified mechanic. You dont want to screw this up.
If you are going to tackle this yourself, its best you have a service manual. It is a good thing to have one, but not totally necessary. Everything contained in this post can get you through this. Or you can just ask the CCT gods (Flesh, Freak, Phinsup, jeff, etc).
Parts / Tools:
New CCT (duh)
New CCT gasket
2 zip ties
angle snips to cut said zip ties
metric alan wrench set
metric socket set
drive wrench / extensions for the socket set, fool!
Long phillips-head screwdriver
Gasket Maker (High Temp RTV silicone, usually the red stuff)
Procedure:
** NOTE: some of these steps are not necessary, i.e. it may be possible to leave the tank propped up, it just makes life a lot easier to remove the tank. Also to remove the tank you might want to remove the tail bodywork, but it is not totally necessary. **
-Remove the right side fairing (bunch of alan head bolts).
-Remove the rider's seat (2 bolts under rear corners of seat).
-Lift (4mm alan) then remove the fuel tank (this procedure is a little different for the 98-99 750's), but in general - unhook the electrical and hose connections to the tank, remove the (2) 12mm bolts that hold the tank hinge bracket to the top of the subframe, lift the tank away from the bike and set it aside.
-Remove the airbox (10mm bolt in front and Phillups for the TB's etc)
-Loosen the TBs from the motor, then push them down and back as far as you can.
-Pull out the spark plug wires (and cam sensor wire if applicable)
-Remove the valve cover (6mm alan) and the top chain guide
-Remove the crank bolt cover on the right side of the crank (10mm alan, silver in color, larger of the two silver caps)
-Turn the crank CLOCKwise (14mm socket) until you can see a hole in both cam sprockets. Never turn the motor counterclockwise.
-Use the ziptie on each cam to hold the chain to the cam (this keeps the chain from jumping when you remove the CCT)
-Move the TBs as far to the front of the bike as you can
On the right hand side (inside) frame rail there is a bracket that holds a few parts to the frame, the bracket is held in with 2 bolts (10mm), remove them then push the whole bracket out of the way.
-Remove the stock CCT (5mm alan). Inspect the old CCT to make sure it was not eaten up by the motor, and little bits are floating around the motor.
-Put a *small dab* of Gasket Maker on the edge of the new CCT gasket and put the gasket on the new CCT. Put the Gasket Maker only on the CCT side of the gasket, not the motor side. And, only use enough to hold the gasket in place so you can get the bolts threaded and down... you shouldn't need much.
-Put the new CCT in the bike and tighten to 16.5 ft-lbs (you can use Loctite if you like)
-Turn in the CCT adjusting bolt until you see the cam chain start to get tight.
-Cut off the two zip ties
-Tighten the CCT until there is about 1/4" deflection in the chain. Measure this equidistant between the two cam sprockets, from top to bottom.
-Turn the motor by hand about 1/2 turn and check the chain again (do this a few times to make sure you get it correct)
-Tighten the lock nut on the CCT to the base of the CCT
-Replace the Valve cover and the bracket on the right side of the frame. Be sure to seat the gasket properly and torque the bolts down to spec. Do not overtighten these bolts!!! they could make your life a living hell if you mess this up.
-Replace the TBs
-Replace the airbox
-Replace the tank
-Replace the crank cover cap
-Replace the right side bodywork
-Replace the seat
I am not sure if the valve cover gasket *must* be replaced, if it looks deteriorated in any way it is wise to replace it, but you will be able to tell if it is not seated properly very quickly if you run the motor --- as it will puke oil like mad!
If you have done everything correct then the motor should start up and not make any abnormal noise. I check and adjust mine about every 6K miles. - John (GSXR-Freak)
[ 05-21-2002, 08:26 PM: Message edited by: jp233 ]
