24 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHIMS Bearing Replacement - Big problem
Leading reported evidence
Replace so makes sense the imsb is aftermarket as well
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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
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
I noticed the RMS had been replaced so makes sense the IMSB is aftermarket as well.
Leading evidence: 'Replace so makes sense the imsb is aftermarket as well' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'little large/tight in the flange, you can pry' (1 discussions; 0 report identifying it and 1 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check cams' (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.
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
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
I just didnt know it had already been replaced when I bought the car.
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 suspect a cause
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.
Suspected cause
The shaft is probably a little large/tight in the flange, you can pry on the flange while tapping on the shaft ( with a brass drift or brass hammer) and get it out...
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 contain suggestions
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.
Suggestion · Original poster
I dont think I have a jumped tooth issue, but Ill check the cams before I button everything back up.
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 contain suggestions
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.
Use with the removal tools in this instance...good luck
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Discussions that contain suggestions
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.
Suggestion
LIke Brad says, its not the end of the world if the shaft breaks off, the LN removal tools has a special nut to use with the removal tools in this instance...good luck !!
These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.
little large/tight in the flange, you can pry
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Identified cause
1
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
Discussions that suspect a cause
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.
Suspected cause
The shaft is probably a little large/tight in the flange, you can pry on the flange while tapping on the shaft ( with a brass drift or brass hammer) and get it out...
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.
24 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: 20261026T103553Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
Hey guys, so to start Ive worked on plenty of porsches and bmws for the last couple decades and I generally know my way around a car.
I have an 03 C4s.
This is my first IMSB replacement...Everything was going slow and easy until I got to the stage of removing the flange.
Cams are locked, all 3 tensioners are removed.
I've had an incredibly difficult time removing the flange cover. A lot of pry bar force was needed before it began to finally start working its way out. I also noticed that when I rotated the flange cover, the bearing shaft was rotating with it as if it was binding. As Im working the cover out Im noticing that rather than leave the shaft in, the cover may be pulling the shaft with it. As I ease the cover side to side, the shaft is also moving side to side.
At this stage Im really really hesitant to try to pry any further because I dont know what will happen if the shaft comes out with the flange cover or perhaps if its just the end of the shaft that is about to snap.
Looking for any support or experience with this. I also noticed the shaft nut and the shaft itself dont look like other pictures I've seen so Im not sure if this might be an afterrmarket bearing although the cover is OEM and it doesnt appear like its been removed before.
Worst case scenario I have to give up and take this to a shop and pay the humility tax.
Adding pics for reference.
You are fine to keep using a pry bar working all three points on the flange. You can also try prying on all three points at the same time. It will come eventually. The flange is just stuck to the inner race. Everything you are pulling on needs to come out.
Make sure you have the removal tool with the nut that allows bearing removal if the bolt breaks.
Can you spin the bolt?
That's definatly an aftermarket IMSB and nut/shaft, I have seen that design before ( obviously not an LN)..
The shaft is probably a little large/tight in the flange, you can pry on the flange while tapping on the shaft ( with a brass drift or brass hammer) and get it out... It HAS to come out to replace the IMSB..
LIke Brad says, its not the end of the world if the shaft breaks off, the LN removal tools has a special nut to use with the removal tools in this instance...good luck !!
Thank you guys. Minor victory. Got the flange cover out. Will share some pics of the bearing. the shaft very loose so will be extracting shortly. I noticed the RMS had been replaced so makes sense the IMSB is aftermarket as well. There was no documentation when I bought the car though the seller thought it had been done previously. Ill be happy to get this damn thing out.
Good news, bad news. O
Good news, I didnt break anything yet. Overall headache
Bad news, whatever bearing this is has a slightly larger shaft than OEM and doesnt work with the LN kit. I will have to think up some kind of adapter to work with the tool to extract this.
Is anyone able to identify this roller bearing style IMSB? It looks like the same as from this ebay listing, but I cant make out the brand. Seller claims this is made in Germany and commonly used.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/333982697572?var=543024030564
Yes, Im just a bit wary to push the bearing stud back into the IMS to install this without knowing if that extractor will fit this aftermarket bearing. Ive already had one heart attack today so maybe a good nights sleep will clear my head to think through if that extractor will work in this case.
Just remember to take the snap ring out, and be carful not to drop it in the engine! I think I've seen posts of people not being able to get the bearing to budge only to figure out the snap ring is still in there.
THANK YOU BRETHREN! What an experience...
IMSB is out.
@hbdunn
thank you for the tip re inner race diameter. The LN extraction adapter worked flawlessly. The ONLY challenge I had was that the inner race wouldnt stay in the bearing because its not held in by anything so it kept slipping into the shaft. Getting the LN adapter behind the race took some effort with an extra tiny pick to hold keep the race in place. From there it was a tense 15 minutes of trying to get the threaded rod onto the adapter, again without the race falling behind the bearing and then getting the rest of the tool set up and SLOWLY extracting the bearing.
I realized I mistakenly locked the intake/exhaust cams on Bank 2 instead of 1 (LN instructions are a bit confusing for me for some reason between what is right and what is left). I pulled the plugs and checked the Bank 1 cams and theyre aligned so I dont think I have an issue there, but I locked the Bank 1 exhaust cam before doing any additional work. I dont think I have a jumped tooth issue, but Ill check the cams before I button everything back up.
Thanks again, community!
Took 3 attempts to install (frozen) bearing with LN tool and dead blow due to confined working space and trouble getting it centered. But its installed!
Quick question for the experienced crowd. Do you oil the bearing at this point or just rely on LNs assembly grease and install flange and button it up?
Yes, it does appear you had the eBay special.
FWIW, that seller was banned from Rennlist many moons ago. He used to have a shop in IL before relocating to Florida.
Finished up this evening. Cover is installed and torqued. Fingers crossed no other issues reassembling everything. I feel far more confident doing this again in the future.
No issues with the ebay bearing. I just didnt know it had already been replaced when I bought the car. The seller thought it had been, but there was no documentation. PPI indicated I needed a new clutch so figured while I was in there Id tackle IMS/RMS.
Isn't this one one of those "eBay specials"? Maybe one of those repacked returns and then resold on ebay? In the description it says you get one of four different "equivalent" bearings. Imagine that, you get the lowest bidder bearing or maybe get lucky and get "only the best". Then there's that crappy 2-year/24,000 mile highly limited warranty. Hmm, I wonder if I could do a "make offer" for like $90 bucks for it?
This is a source reference. Confirm exact model applicability in the original material.
