anyone ever seen just the front seal missing from ims bearing?
 

Finally got around to pulling bearing today. there was no seal on the front of the bearing. The bearing itself was in better shape then I thought it would be. full of oil, no grease and a little stiff, but races looked ok. Found small amounts of the material found in my filter, but no smoking gun.
were some of the double row bearings manufactured with no front seal?

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1367287439.jpg

No, all original double-row bearings had an outer seal. Some people, however, removed the inner seal to permit engine oil (albeit, not under pressure - for that you need the IMS 'solution, or equivalent)) to lubricate the bearing. Were both seals removed in your car? And out of interest, how many miles on your car?

Year? Engine? Miles?

Isn't that an LNE bearing? It looks like it has already been 'upgraded'.

Were the pieces magnetic in your oil? Could be the plastic chain bits causing the problem…just a thought.

inner seal was in tact. 2000 / 88000 mi

no magnetic material in filter. went ahead with bearing replacement, but have been told have chain guide issue. I pulled the cam covers and clean as a whistle. only debries I've found so far have been in the filter. I can tell someone has been in the motor before.