Took the plunge and got the LN IMS bearing - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

mcfly777 · 01-02-2011, 11:06 AM

Well, read a lot about this, and my clutch was going bad, so decided to have the IMS bearing and RMS done at the same time....also found a cracked engine mount...

So, got everything replaced, and have a new piece of mind. An expensive venture, especially that it doesn't really "change" the car in the traditional sense eg performance upgrade.

Got it done at Flint Works in Campbell, CA. Had a great experience, very good customer service, delivered on time.

This will make me keep this car for at least another year or two. I was on the fence of selling it, but now I feel better. I addition, from here on out, I will be doing service myself unless it's really complicated.

BTW, the LN engineering warranty cover ONLY the bearing itself, it will not cover any consequences of a bearing failure.

Leo

WhipE350 · 01-02-2011, 11:29 AM

How many miles on your 2002? Did you get to see the bearing, was it ok and where the seals good?

mcfly777 · 01-02-2011, 12:23 PM

Hey,

My car has 70k on it. The RMS looked good. The IMS bearing looked fine from the outside, but LN engineering required that it is sent back to them as is, so we couldn't see much.

Leo

ekam · 01-02-2011, 12:31 PM

You didn't take the plunge... just consider it a $9k worth of saving.

And I wouldn't expect them to warranty beyond what they sold you. I can imagine that would be a nightmare.

Jaxonalden · 01-02-2011, 12:44 PM

What was the cost difference between LN and Flint Works swapping out the IMS?

mcfly777 · 01-02-2011, 12:46 PM

Never considered it since LNE is very far.

L

Jaxonalden · 01-02-2011, 01:19 PM

Okay, but why "The IMS bearing looked fine from the outside, but LN engineering required that it is sent back to them as is, so we couldn't see much"?

They sold you the bearing on the stipulation that your required to send them your old one?

JTP · 01-02-2011, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaxonalden

What was the cost difference between LN and Flint Works swapping out the IMS?

As far as I know, LNE does not do any installation. They have a published list of installers but LNE works very closely with Flat 6 Innovations if that is what you meant.

Jake Raby · 01-02-2011, 02:18 PM

Tes, LN requires that the bearings are sent back so they can be disassembled and studied, for the warranty to be effective you must send the bearing to LN.

I don't offer a warranty on any of the IMS components, wanted to stay away from those who were buying a product just for the false sense of security that a piece of paper gives them... In the Porsche worlds there are quite a few of those people and we don't see eye to eye.

Jaxonalden · 01-02-2011, 02:41 PM

Jake,

Is there a shop in the OKC area that you know of that can replace the IMS or is it a common remove and replace that any reputable Porsche shop can handle.

JFP in PA · 01-02-2011, 03:13 PM

LN has a list on their website, but you may want to give Charles a call as it most likely is not current.......

Perfectlap · 01-03-2011, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaxonalden

Jake,

Is there a shop in the OKC area that you know of that can replace the IMS or is it a common remove and replace that any reputable Porsche shop can handle.

There was one guy on a 996 forum who did the IMS swap in his own garage without a lift and with no experience removing transmissions. It took him a while being the first time out, but from his photos it looks as straightforward as could be. Based on this I took it to a local Porsche specialist that had never done an IMS swap before but given their experience with older Porsches, this seemed like it would be a piece of cake for them. They billed me at $85 an hour and it worked out to about $1200 not including the RMS seal upgrade, and clutch and flywheel parts.
My original IMS bearing was in excellent shape.