IMS centre bolt
 

What does the centre bolt do on the IMS bearing?

It holds the entire assembly together....

It parks the inner race of the IMSB onto the IMSB flange. This centers the unit and supports it.

And if the bolt fails or is found to be lose?

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1380896372.jpg

Then the bearing, and possibly much of the engine looks like this.

The bolt fails at the terminus of Stage 4 bearing failure, from vibration and load exhibited by the failed IMS Bearing.

If the bolt is loose, it more than likely is trying to support a failing IMSB.

IMS centre bolt
 

Jake, does the bolt only break in most cases when the bearing starts to wear? Also does the bolt work the same on your IMS Solution?

Typically this bolt would only break as collateral damage following IMSB failure. If someone left it loose, then thats another story.

The center support stud of the IMS Solution works completely different, as it is the component that sets longitudinal IMS assembly end play and controls longitudinal thrust loads.

Since the IMS Solution does not have any ball bearings and it's flange is the journal surface for the plain bearing, it doesn't share anything in common with the factory arrangement.