Have to install LN spin on adapter with IMS kit?

Just got invoice from indy doing my IMS... was expecting x and bill ended up being x+$350 Didn't tell me during our talk discussion about the process, but they installed an LN spin on adapter. $150 for kit and $70 for oil added to vehicle They also installed a DriveShaft Flex Join and new cooling hose (found and replaced without asking me while they were doing the work). When it was mentioned in passing yesterday, it sounded like a small part, but bill was $160 Is it required to install the spin on adapter when you're doing IMS kit? How will I see if there's metal in my paper filters if there's no paper filter to cut open? Frustrating thing to have before even stepping into my new car

Which IMS kit did you get? If you just got a replacement bearing, you did not need the spin-on adapter. If you got the IMS Solution, it comes with a different adapter that supplies the oil feed. I believe the list price for the filter adapter is $150, so at least they didn't mark up the part. Is the "DriveShaft Flex Join" mean they installed a new guibo (do you have a C4?)? If so, that's the gadget that connects the front end of the transmission to the driveshaft for the front wheels. Many 996's have needed this replacement part. You can buy a canister filter cutter from Amazon for about 50 bucks - looks like a monster can opener, works like a metal tube cutter. It's a bummer that they did work you didn't know you were having done, but it does sound like they have some experience with 996-specific maintenance, which is nice. I assume they replaced the hose because it was cracked and/or leaking - better to find it during your post-purchase service than have it blow out on the road.

I had the IMS Pro Retrofit Kit installed. In no conversation was I told a spin on adapter would be installed or did I ask for it part number for DriveShaft Flex Joint is 997 421 020 00 Cardan shaft was replaced in 2007, so is it really possible joint and cooling hose would be in that bad of shape? On phone yesterday, I was told it was a 't' connector, which was connected to a hose that was replaced. part number doesn't seem to match up

Andrew - your mechanic is taking care of you but you may not realize it. You owe him a bunch of flowers next time you visit him "-)

I agree with Herr Gelb - sucks the the communication isn't great, but they are trying to hook you up. Most shops do not replace the flex disc - they replace the shaft AND the disc, and that assembly is $500-600. IMS Pro means the Single Row Pro bearing? Nice upgrade - two rows of bearings instead of one. LN offers a 2-year warranty for that item, though I don't know the details or requirements. I assume that since they were r/r the transmission to do the IMS bearing, they noted the disc was worn and replaced it. I wouldn't necessarily be overjoyed they found additional things to fix, but they seem to be paying attention and addressing issues as they're found, which sometimes rates higher than "did exactly what they said and absolutely nothing extra." The joint and cooling hose are unrelated. Even if the disc WAS replaced in '07, that would make the "new" one 9 years old...

If it really needed to be done, I'm ok with that. The shop has been great so far and mentioned multiple times they don't want me to break down on the side of the road on my 2,000 mile trip home. I'm just big on communication, so the fact that the a surprise filter was done and didn't come up when I asked about the process did catch me off guard. A few other things were done without talking about it, so just trying to understand EXACTLY what was done on the car. Not trying to be cheap here, just don't like surprises.

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I'm confirming, but believe it's the dual row bearing OEM bearing is about to become my new paperweight!

RE: the T fitting - I don't know offhand which fitting it is, but the Porsche factory hose barbs and fittings are plastic, and they get brittle as they age. Again, it doesn't sound to me like they were trying to bone you...but I definitely understand that "extras" you weren't expecting can be unsettling (and expensive)...

+1 to the Schnells. Spin on adapter isn't required but is a highly recommended add. You might double check that they also swapped to the magnetic drain plug when they did it. My spin on kit with the mag plug, extra set of washers, case of DT40 and strap wrench ran about $330 from LNE.

Are you referring to the Guibo disk? Kind of resembles a hockey puck with holes and bushings? They are known to start cracking and lead to vibration from what I have read. Yeah, the hoses for these are pricey, but better safe than sorry since something lead them to want to replace. The LN Spin-on Filter adapter is nice since you no longer have to deal with the filter cartridge and it's persnickity holder. In past posts people feel that this is a good mod to do. The Solution uses a different adapter that has passages to allow oil to flow to the IMSB.

photos attached of the IMS job. Yes, the guibo disk was cracked.

Nice of the mechanic to provide images!

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I thought part of the LN bearing replacement process was that the OEM bearing had to be returned to LN - is that correct?

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I don't think so. My car came with an LN serial # on the door and the old IMS bearing in the frunk.

Not required and my mechanic said he personally wasn't a big fan. Saved me $170 bucks. I had the LN Single Row Pro installed. I do however have the magnetic drain plug and will continue to inspect filter after every change.

Old bearing must be returned to LN for warranty to be valid for the new LN Bearing. This is for liability and analytical reasons. However I notice quite a few do not do this, partly because I suspect LN retrofit has had a pretty good record so far from any failures, outside of installation errors and/or pre-existing conditions.

The worst customer issue that I had to deal with was when an aircraft mechanic did some work without the customer's consent. Customer said "thank you very much, but I ain't payin!" We had to seriously discount the bill just to break even. Moral of the story: communication, and prior consent before you lay a wrench to the car-even if the mechanic thinks he's doing the owner a large one.

That's a bummer and I'd be (have been) pissed if I were you. They are all good things that many of us would have opted to do in your position if asked, but its the asking that is important. Try not to let it color your new relationship with the car and enjoy that road trip. And no, you don't HAVE to give the bearing back to LN

IMHO, the spin-on filter should be mandaory for anyone running an open bearing. Without the seal, the beraing is just too vunerable to debris. With a weak stock oil filter bypass valve, it's a perfect disaster.

At worst the Mechanic was being a bit paternalistic. Expecting great communication from a mechanic is not wise . Be happy he clearly knows what he is doing and is trying to ensure you don't have engine failures. I wish someone like that had worked on my car !

Regardless of whether the mechanic had the customers best interest in mind, it's just bad business practice to do ANY work without the consent/approval BEFORE the work is completed. In fact it should be illegal (maybe it is in some locales?)! At best it's a self serving way to line their pockets without "interference" while holding a vehicle hostage to secure payment. At worst it's potentially fraudulent/extortion... Stepping off the soapbox...

You said originally that 70.00 was charged for "added oil". Did they just add oil, or was an oil service competed at the time of the retrofit procedure?

I don't understand the concern here. The guy took great pictures, he told the OP about the Guibo before he changed it out and one could look at the oil filter upgrade as a part of the authorized LN bearing job (and a great upgrade anyway). So what exactly did the mechanic do wrong here?? He was prepping the car for the OP's first drive, which is a long road trip home, and doing the right thing.

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Despite adding a magnetic drain plug and adding a spin on filter, they stated it was not an oil change - just added oil.

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Hmmmm, what vintage and region did that oil come from? Must have been some really good stuff !!!

Well, removing the OEM filter housing would have removed about half a quart, so you're only paying $140 per quart...bargain. Of all the stuff you've mentioned, this is the weirdest one. $70 to top off the oil?

Tried to change my oil last night, using an 8mm hex to take off the LNE magnetic drain plug that came with my car. Couldn't get the thing to budge. AT ALL! Torque specs state 19 ft/lb, but this thing is WAY over-torqued. What should have been a very easy job now looks like a trip to an indy. Is it common for a drain plug to be frozen? I'm not feeling any more confident about the work that was done on my car...

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My advice - get that drain plug out yourself. You are not expressing confidence in what other people have done so do it yourself. The LNE magnetic drain plug is very good quality and you may just need to give it a really good tug. It is made of hardened steel so low probability of stripping the hex. Make sure you are turning it out the correct way. There is nothing an indy can do that you can't do. If you have to, get a 1/2" drive hex and breaker bar and get it loose. You can do it.

Do yourself a favor and get a good quality real hex socket set with 3/8" drive ratchet. Or else you'll be in the same position and also possibly strip it, leading to more issues. Technique wise, you wanna apply firm upward pressure so hex is always fully seated and swiftly yank . It's when you apply torque slowly where you have more chances of stripping it. Been there done that.