IMS Replacement - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

I have a 2004 Boxster S with 25,000 miles on it (purchased new) I've been thinking of having the IMS bearing replaced also in need of a right rear wheel bearing. I got a quote of 8.5 hours for the IMS and another 3.0 hours for the rear wheel bearing. Just wondering if these times are reasonable or not? I haven't been following these IMS issues lately and wondering what kits are available, I think the one they quoted is an LN Engineering ceramic double row. They also quoted doing an oil change and replacing the rear main seal, is this necessary or might as well do it while they are in there? Thanks in advance for any advice Jim

Assuming you have a manual transmission all of it sounds right. Doing the RMS makes sense since they are right there and the part is cheap.

Hi Porsche9 Thanks for the quick response, yes it is the manual 6 speed Jim

To me, this is the only IMSB replacement I would use. IMS Solution for Single Row IMS MY00-05 - IMS - Products LN Engineering Get it cheaper here Porsche 911 Boxster Intermediate Shaft Bearing Update Kit IMS Solution 996 986 | eBay

Jedi, you have a single row bearing if your car was manufactured in 2004.

Isn't there a double row replacement for the single row IMS? If so wouldn't that be more prudent to install?

There are as many opinions on which IMS replacement to use as there are for type of oil to use. Too bad there isn't enough data out there on the ones installed, without unknown external influences like the quality of the installer.

You are thinking of the "Single Row Pro" ? -which is a staggered 2 row = 1-1/2 rows. There is a new version of the Solution coming soon to deal with the misalignment issue.Ask LN.?

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The Single Row Pro is a true dual row bearing. It is of European width and is a custom made unit. It is not a 1-1/2 row bearing. This unit must be installed with the Faultless Tool and allows the use of a dual row bearing within the confines of a Single Row shaft. No modification to the shaft or engine is required. The ultimate is, and always will be the IMS Solution. Its also the only patented IMS Retrofit on the market.

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Oil change is expected as they will want to remove the filter and check for metal before installing anything and they might as well change the oil while they have the filter out. Replacing the RMS is standard practice almost anytime that the trans is out since its a cheap part and an easy replacement. Last, your clutch should be in good condition with only 25K miles, but be prepared for the shop to suggest changing it as long as everything is apart.

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That's the right thing to do... Do they all do it as matter of course?

Don't even think about dumping the old oil back in after an IMSR procedure!

It was the removal of filter and checking for metal I was referring to. And the pan.

And the quality of the engine the kit was installed in. Jake has posted on another forum of a tool he has developed to measure the relationship of the crankshaft hole and the IMS hole in the block. He is thinking, possibly after seeing multiple failures in a given engine and searching for the reason, that slight manufacturing variations make a difference. In his shop, he will now not install any IMS kit into an engine which fails his new test. If this is true, then once you get in and see the condition of your current IMS, you can predict how your replacement will fare.

LN makes 3 bearing replacement kits for your car. In order of price, the LN single row, the Single Row Pro which is the double row and the IMS Solution which is the flat bearing (like is used on the other end of the IMS shaft) version with added externally supplied oiling.

If they propose replacing the clutch, ask for the measurements that support that suggestion. Not that the parts are that much of the total job and it is cheap to do once you have the transmission sitting on a workbench. But just to let them know you want fact based opinions, not ones that are designed to add to their bottom line.

Just had the single row pro installed with clutch, RMS, flywheel and AOS at Chris' in Seattle. New oil and filter - yes! Lucky to have one of the preferred installers in my backyard. Only have a couple hundred miles on the new bearing - so far so good. I'd get the clutch done too if you're going in for the IMS. At the very least you should be saving yourself a new flywheel purchase and an additional 8 or so hours of labour in the future. Cheers, Token

I used the EPS IMS solution after doing extensive research on all of the options available. Mine has been in for about 9K miles at this point. I run the heck out of my 1997 and thus far no problems. It only had 40k miles on it but I was concerned about dependability so I replaced all the rubber coolant hoses, the front motor mount, the Air/Oil separator, the water pump (was starting to wobble), the plugs and plug tubes, the rear main seal and the fuel and air filter and anything else I could think of. Here is a video with a cutaway of the EPS IMS solution.

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That's the one I said I'd go with, IMS Solution. IMS Solution for Single Row IMS MY00-05 - IMS - Products LN Engineering Porsche 911 Boxster Intermediate Shaft Bearing Update Kit IMS Solution 996 986 | eBay

I do have a question about this.... Most info on the IMS Solution has it listed for '00-'05 engines. Is there not a version to fit the earlier dual-row engines? Sorry, I did a search and couldn't find this particular question addressed. If I do an upgrade to either or both of my '99s I'd like it to be the most robust and permanent upgrade possible.