Q: clutch/crankshaft gear "play" along main shaft noted on clutch disassembly

[drdoom]

Hey-

While disassembling my dry clutch for replacement (on a DS1000 engine), I had some difficulty removing the clutch housing (basket) after removing the eight bolts that secure it to the flange/gear.  Since there seemed to have been excess loctite applied during initial factory build, there was some extra that was binding the clutch housing (basket) to the flange.  I used a lightweight plastic mallet and a 200mm long, 25mm diameter wood dowel to try to get it to release: first against the edge of one of the housing tangs near the base of the housing, roughly tangent to the housing diameter, then directly onto the base of the clutch housing (parallel to axis of rotation), then back to the "tangential" striking at which point the housing released.

What I noted after I had done this is that the flange/gear seems to have 1.5-2.0 millimeters of play along the shaft.  I hadn't noted this before I struck it with the mallet/dowel, but I hadn't checked for it either.

So I'm wondering if the "play" of the housing (basket) flange/gear is normal or if I've damaged something.  I've got the S2R1000 CD service manual.  The subject doesn't seem to be addressed (at least not where I'm looking).

Thanks in advance for any advice.

-drdoom