Quote:
Originally Posted by BYprodriver
Remove & inspect the oil filter is the easy way to see if there are any metal particles in the oil stream. If nothing then you are probably ok to drive to a local shop.
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I would be careful here. The bearing is "sealed" with rubber side shields. Debris from a failed bearing *should* be contained in the bearing until things get really out of hand. Waiting for the IMS guardian to warn you the bearing is failing is telling you the horse has left the barn. You already have metal shavings in your engine oil. Listen to engine sound changes like the OP and react in a similar manner. The bearing shields also stop meaningful amounts of oil from entering the bearing which always makes me wonder why folks advise frequent oil changes to maintain an IMSB. It's the old oxidized acidic oil trapped in the Intermediate shaft behind the bearing that bothers me, and the lack of grease in the bearing. It seems changing oil frequently would have little effect on that.