Deconstructing LNE IMS Installation Failure

[coreseller]

My guess is that he will soon hear from someone at LNE, if not Jake will probably chime in shortly.

In Homeboy's defense....I remember how nervous / uptight I was during the install, especially since it was a relatively new procedure.

[Homeboy981]

30 minutes on the phone and NO JOY! NO ONE WITH KNOWLEDGE on parts sold! A direct quote form the rep was, "There is no one here that has installation knowledge." Meanwhile, my bearing was thawing in the bore.

JUST THE FACTS, guys. I am not trying to slam LNE either…they were SUPPOSED to be my savior. Turns out, not, so far.

Do with the information what you will. You can ignore it - just like the IMS issues. Will it be a problem for you? Dunno.

My car is still jacked up either way! I have better than average mechanical abilities - so maybe this serves as a warning to others who are NOT as inclined.

BTW, the instructions ARE NOT CORRECT! Is should specificity that the bearing MUST BE in DIRECT CONTACT WITH INSTALLATION TOOL - not just "finger tight". Maybe there was a burr on the threading. It was NOT cross threaded. And apparently went most of way on there. Maybe LNE can modify the instructions to eliminate future problems now. Still, it does not put my car back together!

These problems are some things I wish I had know prior to installation!

Worse than the $650 down the tubes is the car is most likely junk now. Has anyone pulled an LNE ceramic bearing out? The thread sizes DO NOT FIT the current extraction tool either. Ask me how I know.

[Homeboy981]

Here is what it looks like now. Not sure IF the press fit portion of the bearing is properly in place.



Is this the NORMAL amount of stud showing?

[seningen]

Originally Posted by Homeboy981

Here is what it looks like now. Not sure IF the press fit portion of the bearing is properly in place.



Is this the NORMAL amount of stud showing?

I can't tell you if that is in correctly or not -- specifically depth wise.

Several years ago I know while my mech and I were installing a LNE kit
we (probably me :-) got it a tad cockeyed. and it would not insert completely.
Tight access had me strike it at little off kilter.

We fashioned up a puller with a piece that would fit the LNE bolt.
It came out easily and we were able to reinstall with no issues.

I'm sure a machine shop could fashion you up such a piece if
you have the specs of the LNE bolt and the bolt on the end of the puller.

Note this is the original extraction/insertion tool -- I believe the methods
have changed. My mechanic was one of the early indy's to perform the service.
So I don't know if the newer tools are the same or not.

Mike

[ilikeching]

maybe this helps, there are some video on youtube how install/change IMS.



Flintworks IMS Retrofit on a Porsche Boxster - YouTube

[Homeboy981]

10:04 AM CST - Just spoke to George at LNE.

Hard to believe they run a business like this. Basically, I am to blame for installation, period. I assumed ALL RISKS for NOT BEING A PORSCHE WORKSHOP AND PREVIOUSLY INSTALLING SAID BEARING!!! They are responsible FOR NOTHING…not EVEN THE INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS THEY PRODUCE!!

AND….

I HAVE TO BUY THEIR TOOL TO REMOVE THE FAILED BEARING!! What?

No offer of help or restitution was made except that, "We will look at our bearing once you get it out and send it to us, of course you need to order OUR PART to extract it. If, at our SOLE DISCRETION, WE FEEL it is bad, we will refund you." Really? :chicken:

"Thousands of installations have been done and no one has had a problem", was what he told me originally.

Then he changed to, "We even have Porsche mechanics call us on the installations they have a problem with as they may not have done it before. But they NEVER have a problem." Must be why they are calling, huh?

"This is why we do not like to sell to individuals with QUESTIONABLE MECHANICAL EXPERIENCE". Could not believe he had the gall to say that! Everyone on this board, except a few, fall into THIS DESCRIPTION!

Insulting my intelligence, my mechanical ability AND then asking me for more money?

George to you and LN Engineering, I say, "Thinking I am stupid and insulting me will NOT help anyone speak good of your company and may be your undoing as I will tell every member about my experience at your hand. All the North Texas Boxster people will know how I (or ANYONE on this Board) have been or will be treated by your company AND how this was TOTALLY AVOIDABLE!" Your Customer Service skills are severely lacking.

Funny LNE DID NOT have a problem taking my money.

And yes, LN Engineering is responsible for instructions THEY PRODUCE, whether he admits it or not. So, KNOW THE LNE INSTRUCTIONS ARE NOT CORRECT. And, if they cannot even produce good instructions - kind of makes you wonder about other things coming from them?

SO BE WARNED FUTURE IMS people who DO NOT to take it to a shop….you ARE BEING ABANDONED by LNE! So why do we have the Forum exactly? Oh, that's right, for DIYs. I guess LNE SHOULD NOT be talked about here!

Starting to sound like they have more failures than they would lead you to believe…maybe I'll go with another brand.