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THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHJust purchased one and a few questions
Leading reported evidence
Replace imsb
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I had my IMSB changed just for peace of mind while the car was apart for a clutch.
Leading evidence: 'Replace imsb' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Check any loose hardware' (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.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
Replace intermediate shaft flange o-ring while the transmission was removed
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
"Upon removal of transmission for oil inspection, the tech found the intermediate shaft leaking oil." This happened at 28,003 and the dealer replaced the intermediate shaft flange o-ring while the transmission was removed.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
It means the IMS flange was replaced with one with a better seal.
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Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
My 2 cents: send used oil for UoA; cut open and inspect used oil filter; drop and inspect oil pan.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
My 2 cents: send used oil for UoA; cut open and inspect used oil filter; drop and inspect oil pan.
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Suggestion
What my techs tell me when I ask them about replacing the clutch in the Boxster is if the clutch is not slipping and if the engagement is smooth with no grabbing or judder and if there are no other signs of a questionable clutch there is no reason to replace the clutch.
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Suggestion
OTOH, if you feel you want to have an IMSB upgrade installed then at this time with the clutch hardware exposed you can then decide if you want to replace the clutch hardware "while you are there".
Replace intermediate shaft flange o-ring while the transmission was removed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
"Upon removal of transmission for oil inspection, the tech found the intermediate shaft leaking oil." This happened at 28,003 and the dealer replaced the intermediate shaft flange o-ring while the transmission was removed.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
22 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
0 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Generation: 20261026T212127Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
Hello,
I have just picked up a 2002 C2 with 88K miles. I have the entire history of maintenance record and just finished going through them. The car is in overall great shape - pulls hard throughout the rev band.
1. Clutch & IMS: The car still has the original clutch. It's not slipping, but the last inspection report shows that the mechanic recommends replacing the clutch sometime soon because it's thin. I am also paranoid enough about the IMS issue that I am thinking about doing the clutch and IMS altogether right away. Or should I just wait until the clutch starts slipping? Any guidance / advice on this would be appreciated.
2. Steering wheel play: Compared to ones I drove with very low miles, my car feels like it has a slight play in the steering wheel - as if the suspension components are not super tight or sharp. Any recommendation on what to replace? Tie rods? Control arms?
Really enjoying the car, except for that I am a bit stressed about the IMS issue (wondering whether I am driving a time bomb).
Thanks so much!
Congrats. My 2 cents: send used oil for UoA; cut open and inspect used oil filter; drop and inspect oil pan. If these come back OK, enjoy your ownership. Or just get the IMS solution done for peace of mind. You just bought a 996, try to enjoy more and stress less
This is a joke right??? If not, sell your car immediately and enjoy your life...it will be over before you know it.
To the OP, spend less time on RL and I guarantee you will enjoy your car more. The 996 is a great car(I know because I have owned one for the last 9 years). Enjoy your new 996 and don't let the fear mongers here diminish your enjoyment. Go enjoy your 996 for awhile and in the meantime, stay off Rennlist for awhile...
What makes you think you need to change IMS now after 88000 miles.?? It probably would have failed before 30000 if it was a dodgy one. Something will show on the filter if something is wearing so keep cutting them open. To hell with dropping the oil pan until you see anything on the filter. You are not looking for chunks of metal but dust. A big plus is your car has a normal mileage. Not a garage queen. You can change a filter anytime without dropping all of the oil if you are really worried. Check your front tires for pressure. I think they should be 36 psi.
Thanks so much for your advice! Will definitely try to spend less time on RL... but cannot help it because you guys are so awesome!
Re: the clutch, during the PPI, the mechanic drove the car around and felt that the clutch engagement felt as if the clutch was thin. Also, he did not find any metal particles in the oil filter, but said that the IMS could go out anytime which somewhat scared me.
Re: the suspension - if I were to change control arms and tie rods, would you happen to have part numbers which need to replaced? The tire pressure is correct and the steering has a bit of play and has creaking/clunking noise when I turn right at stop (like when I try to park and etc.). No noise once the car starts moving.
Thanks again!
That mechanic has some calibrated left foot if he can feel the difference between a new friction disc material thickness of 1.7mm and a worn out friction disc material thickness of 0.3mm.
BTW, a while back I had my 03 Turbo in for a new RMS and the clutch was removed to get at the RMS and the clutch friction disc wear was zilch. I measured the disc material thickness and I measured the same dimension (1.7mm) as the new clutch disc should have. The clutch had over 110K miles on it. My 02 Boxster is on its original clutch and the car has over 273K miles. 80K miles doesn't have to mean the clutch is shot, or anywhere near shot.
What my techs tell me when I ask them about replacing the clutch in the Boxster is if the clutch is not slipping and if the engagement is smooth with no grabbing or judder and if there are no other signs of a questionable clutch there is no reason to replace the clutch.
Thus, based on this I would consider ignoring the advice to replace the clutch.
While I hate to contradict the advice of a tech I really do not like the quick on the trigger recommendations to replace this or that for no real reason or sign something needs to be replaced.
OTOH, if you feel you want to have an IMSB upgrade installed then at this time with the clutch hardware exposed you can then decide if you want to replace the clutch hardware "while you are there".
As for the suspension/steering you need to have the car inspected by a knowledgeable tech who can advise you what -- if anything -- needs attention in the front suspension/steering area.
With the car in the air the tech can get under the car and really check for any loose hardware. Some underbody panels may need to be removed to gain access to the hardware, though I've watched techs do this and they can do a lot working through the open areas not blocked off by any panels.
These forums had me sweating the IMS bearing also. I've since calmed down and enjoying the car. Currently at 68k on my 2002 I'll likely do the clutch and IMS this spring.
Sorry - one more thing. One of the previous maintenance records shows the following items:
"Upon removal of transmission for oil inspection, the tech found the intermediate shaft leaking oil." This happened at 28,003 and the dealer replaced the intermediate shaft flange o-ring while the transmission was removed.
Does this mean that the car had the IMS problem and was addressed previously?
Thanks again.
No. It means the IMS flange was replaced with one with a better seal. Initially the flange came with just an o-ring but the new one came with a 3-ribbed seal and new micro-sealed bolts.
Congrats on the purchase!
I decided to wait on my IMSB and change it with my clutch. My original clutch lasted over 120K miles and 10 years. When I had the IMSB changed, it didn't appear to my mechanic that there were any signs of impending failure. I don't think he dissected the bearing to really look closely, but he said it appeared to be tight and functioning properly. I had my IMSB changed just for peace of mind while the car was apart for a clutch.
Enjoy your new ride!
Congratulations on the C2 purchase! Enjoy it - great car.
Regarding your free-play issue with the steering, could be worn suspension bushings/ball joints but no need to rush in and start replacing things just yet. Research a bit more here on the list and take a minute to review our suspension write-up on this subject for additional knowledge:
Suspension Overhaul
Mark/Pelican Parts
Welcome to Rennlist, thanks for pics. As mentioned, some of us are still driving on the OEM IMSB and are thoroughly enjoying our Porsches. With only 65k miles on the clock, my 99 C2 is fine with the original clutch as well, and 7 years of ownership.