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YOUR RESEARCHThe Solution New Installation
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Install little over a month ago
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I had my 2003 996 LN retrofit bearing installed little over a month ago.
Leading evidence: 'Install little over a month ago' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Install little over a month ago' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Today I took my 996 in for the Solution installation. My 996 is a 2004 with 85,000 miles. My tech is the guy that sold me the car about 4 years ago. Anyway after we discussed the various ways to go about this with the ceramic and other bearings to install we decided to go with the Solution so I could forget about this forever. Since I intend to keep the car forever I agreed. I watched him after he had dropped the transmission and was there for the unveiling of the dreaded IMSB. After removing the retainer he was able to spin the bearing and he said that it seemed to be in perfect shape. He did say that the clutch was almost shot so that was good to get done at the same time. He noted that my car was the 10th in a row he had done. Out of the 10, a mixture of 996's and Boxters, he said only 1 of the 10 had a truly bad bearing. The rest were either like mine and in great shape or somewhere between shot and "on the way". I am looking forward to getting my car back so I can drive it without fear. I will update this after I get the car back. Oh yeah he also drained the sump and found no evidence of metal at all.
I am not a total paranoid. I have been a member here since getting my car but did not feel the need to contribute to that paranoia. However, I have noted that people have been interested in how these so-called "fixes" have worked in the past. Thus, my post.
Dubious distinction indeed! Sump should be drained, dropped and the pick-up tube "fingered" (Jake's term not mine...
)... Fortunately when I did mine, I had the engine out so I was able to do a "full cavity search"...
In any case, seeing as your bearing was good, you should be fine...
I got my car back today. New Solution installed. New clutch and flywheel and assorted nuts and bolts associated with clutch replacement. Total cost was 5400 bucks. Solution is expensive in and of itself. Flywheel too. But the car is so much easier to shift with the new clutch. I had not noticed how hard the pedal had become to push in. Now it's smooth as can be. I will now be free to enjoy my car without fear of catastrophic failure of the IMS kind. Yes, I know there are other things that can go wrong as with anything mechanical. But this issue (IMS) has generated more paranoia that anything else.
You should do what I did and add a lava flow rider to your insurance policy. I live thousands of miles from the closest active volcano but lava flows are a documented mode of failure for these cars.
I do not know what the outcome was of the one that failed. Sorry, I'll ask next time I go by and post the answer. I do know that they mentioned that most people were in to have the ceramic bearing installed. Only 2 (including me) have opted for the "Solution".
The only correct answer will be that the shop disqualified the installation of the retrofit components.
These retrofit components were developed for preventative efforts only, just like your installation, where the old bearing “was perfect”. Now, remember, to send in that old bearing to complete the registration, and so LN can verify the bearing was perfect...
Often times technicians are forced to make the wrong calls on these jobs where something is failing, as thats the way they are paid. Being forthright and saying “no” to an install can cut their paycheck that week by a lot. BUT that’s not fair to the components that are put in harm’s way by being subjected to a less than perfect operating environment.
This is why using an IMS Solution Certified Installer is worth its weight in gold, and why you should never just trust a shop to do this work because they have “done a lot of them” or because “they were cheaper”. Certified Installers are watched like a hawk, are forced to register every install, and they have their certification to lose if they make just one bad judgment call. There are no second chances extended, no warnings, or etc.. 1 strike, and they are out.
I was under impression that the certified installers took care of the registration? I had my 2003 996 LN retrofit bearing installed little over a month ago. They pre qualified, dropped sump inspection etc. I did ask and received original bearing. Shop gave me paperwork to send in, but I dropped the ball. Should I still send in my bearing and requisite info, for registration? Reading intructions, looks like I am a few weeks late...
thanks,
Joe
