Help me understand 964/993 Chain Tensioners
 

So I've pulled out some chain tensioners from a running 964 motor to try and understand why my chain ramp got so wasted in this explosion.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=123820&perpage=20&pagen umber=1

I have discovered that it is INDEED possible to install these chain ramp tensioners both upside down AND in reverse. When I pulled out mine, they were reversed (right in the left and vice versa). The right tensioner also seemed to be "locked" in position after I took it out so I also dissembled the tensioners and found that there are several small washers that are sitting inside the cylinders. The lockup condition can exist if the washers are not sitting flat against each other and move around in the tensioner cylinder.

My question is: Are these washers SUPPOSED to be in there? What purpose do they serve? It would seem that if the washers were to become locked in position while the motor was running they could really cause problems...

Jeff