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thom4782 · 04-09-2016, 08:02 AM

For me, this comes down to two issues

Issue 1: The Bet

IMSB options differ by design and cost. Some designs will probably last longer than others. My own beliefs are these. The IMS Solution has the longest service life and may cause the least collateral damage when it fails. Ceramic bearings likely have the next longest service life and steel bearings have the least. When ceramic or steel ball bearing IMSBs fail, the collateral damage can range from minimal to catastrophic.

Issue 2: The Cost of A Lost Bet

If your handy a turning a wrench, have all the necessary special tools, and have access to what's needed to clean out debris, then your financial risks are lower and the questions whether to replace and what to replace the IMSB with become more difficult to answer. That, however, isn't me. I'd need to shop out the replacement / rebuild and doing so would open a big drain in my wallet at local indie rates. The price tag would be in the $ thousands.

My Decision

I had two goals: keep my 125K mileage car around for a long time and minimize the odds of me paying a large bill if the IMSB failed. I choose the Solution as my bet. Time will let me know if I won.

As for the bearing that came out of my car, it was a single row that looked pristine and didn't wobble. When I opened up the seal, however, it was clear the lubricating grease had washed out. Only the Porsche gods know how much longer it would have lasted.

Good luck...gather as many facts and opinions as you can and try to separate the marketing hype and unfounded opinions from what's real. Hint: if LN bearings failed frequently the boards would be screaming with condemnations. They're not which should tell you something.

04-09-2016, 08:02 AM	#18
thom4782 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Foster City CA Posts: 1,099	For me, this comes down to two issues Issue 1: The Bet IMSB options differ by design and cost. Some designs will probably last longer than others. My own beliefs are these. The IMS Solution has the longest service life and may cause the least collateral damage when it fails. Ceramic bearings likely have the next longest service life and steel bearings have the least. When ceramic or steel ball bearing IMSBs fail, the collateral damage can range from minimal to catastrophic. Issue 2: The Cost of A Lost Bet If your handy a turning a wrench, have all the necessary special tools, and have access to what's needed to clean out debris, then your financial risks are lower and the questions whether to replace and what to replace the IMSB with become more difficult to answer. That, however, isn't me. I'd need to shop out the replacement / rebuild and doing so would open a big drain in my wallet at local indie rates. The price tag would be in the $ thousands. My Decision I had two goals: keep my 125K mileage car around for a long time and minimize the odds of me paying a large bill if the IMSB failed. I choose the Solution as my bet. Time will let me know if I won. As for the bearing that came out of my car, it was a single row that looked pristine and didn't wobble. When I opened up the seal, however, it was clear the lubricating grease had washed out. Only the Porsche gods know how much longer it would have lasted. Good luck...gather as many facts and opinions as you can and try to separate the marketing hype and unfounded opinions from what's real. Hint: if LN bearings failed frequently the boards would be screaming with condemnations. They're not which should tell you something. Last edited by thom4782; 04-09-2016 at 08:07 AM.