Abstract: A novel inner element for a hydraulic valve play compensation element for ternal combustion engines is comprised of a cylindrical element (3) closed at one end and having a reduced outer diameter (7) and a peripheral groove (8) therein at the other open end and a piston element (5) guided therein for longitudinal displacement and projecting from the open end of cylindrical element (3) beyond the latter with a reduced outer diameter (6) in this region, a sheet metal cap (9) with a radial flange (10) engaging the reduced diameter (6) region of piston element (5) and with a cylindrical collar (13) on the open end of cylindrical element (3) engaging on at least some points of its circumference with groove (8), characterized in that sheet metal cap (9) has at least one projection (11,14,15) radially projecting at at least one point about its circumference beyond the outer diameter of cylindrical element (3).