Dumb Question Thread - No Flaming Allowed

[Slideways]

Piecing some parts together for my VANOS/Valve adjust job coming up and grabbed an INA chain tensioner. First time I've handled such a part and noticed the shaft easily removes from the threaded housing. I'm guessing this is normal but wanted to put this out there for input. Also, when the shaft is inserted, I can push on the end it deflects a little, but feels somewhat "gritty". I just don't have any experience with these parts, learning now. Thoughts?

EDIT: Scratch first part of question as I found photos confirming the separation of the two parts.

EDIT2: Found a video suggestion to soak this part in oil before installing so interested to hear thoughts on that as well.

As Cubi said, TIS says to drain the oil only if reusing. For a new tensioner, install new crush washer and go.

[beemer_guy]

Hey everyone, I was struggling to re-install my driveshaft and noticed the CV joint was not doing a good job at articulating. I just recently rebuilt (repacked?) both the rear differential inner CV joints and figured I may as well see what is going on since I had already done the CSB, giubo, and driveshaft end bushing on the driveshaft and never want to touch it again (ever).

When I opened it up I cleaned it thoroughly and reassembled the CV joint, or at least tried to. It kept getting stuck when I had had minimal issues on the orientation and assembly of the diff CV joints, and ended up having to take the boot cap off the flange just to access the other side and mallet the inner race and cage to remove them, and make another attempt at assembly. This time I was finally successful, and I only used a small amount of grease as a lubricant to test the articulation, and it really mostly just moves forward and backward and has a bunch of resistance when trying to rotate it in the other directions. It is a slight improvement over how it felt before I took it apart, but I am worried; I couldn't find any obvious marking or damage on any surface or the ball bearings that would indicate an issue, but in my attempts at reassembly, and even now the inner race seems to get stuck in place due to the bearings.

Does anyone have any info regarding this? Sorry if it seems like I am rambling, I was doing what I thought would be a simple job and move on to other tasks and ended up spending all night up till now dealing with this. I want to say I think the lack of articulation like the other joints is not that big of a deal but I have no reference and nothing turned up when trying to search.