EPS IMS Bearing Upgrade Kit

[thom4782]

Having followed these IMS threads for years, I've come to the view is that there is no unambiguous answer as to which IMSB is the best replacement option.

Given the consequences of an IMSB failure, my criteria is what impacts do the IMSB replacement candidates have on minimizing potential engine damage either during the stages of failure or everyday operations.

If one's goal is to preserve the engine for a long as possible, then price SHOULD NOT be a major factor when deciding. If on the other hand, one wants to keep the engine running for 5 years or less, then any of the options will probably do and price should play a strong role.

And if you're torn between options, then pick the IMSB option that damages the engine the least when it fails regardless of price. Otherwise, you'll still wonder if you made the right decision

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by thom4782

Having followed these IMS threads for years, I've come to the view is that there is no unambiguous answer as to which IMSB is the best replacement option.

Given the consequences of an IMSB failure, my criteria is what impacts do the IMSB replacement candidates have on minimizing potential engine damage either during the stages of failure or everyday operations.

If one's goal is to preserve the engine for a long as possible, then price SHOULD NOT be a major factor when deciding. If on the other hand, one wants to keep the engine running for 5 years or less, then any of the options will probably do and price should play a strong role.

And if you're torn between options, then pick the IMSB option that damages the engine the least when it fails regardless of price. Otherwise, you'll still wonder if you made the right decision

As a shop owner, I can only reiterate you point, but the reality is that as these cars age, they become cheaper, which seems to lead to second or third owners that care more about cost than perhaps they should, which quite often leads to problems. As the result, we long ago adopted a simple position on repairs: If you want us to fix something, we are only going to do procedure's and use components that we have confidence in; if cost is your only decision factor, take the car somewhere else. We simply do not need your business badly enough to cut corners or sacrifice quality. Come back's and problems resulting from cutting corners are a shop's worst nightmare, and the least economic outcome for owners.

[Geof3]

Originally Posted by thom4782

Having followed these IMS threads for years, I've come to the view is that there is no unambiguous answer as to which IMSB is the best replacement option.

Given the consequences of an IMSB failure, my criteria is what impacts do the IMSB replacement candidates have on minimizing potential engine damage either during the stages of failure or everyday operations.

If one's goal is to preserve the engine for a long as possible, then price SHOULD NOT be a major factor when deciding. If on the other hand, one wants to keep the engine running for 5 years or less, then any of the options will probably do and price should play a strong role.

And if you're torn between options, then pick the IMSB option that damages the engine the least when it fails regardless of price. Otherwise, you'll still wonder if you made the right decision

Generally, I would agree with you. However, roller bearings are NOT expensive generally. So really, when looking at the options, some are ridiculously over priced IMO. There are some specialized bearings, but it would seem that for the most part, the bearing supplied in a good portion of the kits are not particularly special. So, the cost then must be justified in the other components and "R&D". Like some life saving medications, there seems to be a bit of a soaking going on with some of these components. In the EPS case, given the part warranty (one of the best ones) and ZERO failure rate, plus the cost, it seems to make pretty good sense. It would be interesting, after all of this IMS discussion, to see who used what, when etc. and then cross referenced the secondary failures, if any, in the given replacement systems. Probably never happen.