IMS Bearing Replaced Today
 

My mechanic just finished up installing a double row L&N Engineering replacement IMS bearing in my 2001 Boxster S. The original bearing appeared fine, was not loose and spun freely. I was having the clutch and flywheel replaced and decided to go ahead with the IMS bearing replacement at the same time, as a precautionary measure. I will send the old bearing back to L&N for analysis as they request.

Recently did the same. I'm interested if you can detect a difference in how smooth the engine operates once you drive it a few times. Could be my imagination, but it feels improved to me (why i don't know).

How many miles were on that bearing? And how many of those miles did you put on yourself?

There were 46000 miles on the bearing, of which I put 22000 since I bought the car in November 2011. Barkingfool, I drove the car today and notice a significant difference with the new clutch and flywheel. Not so much with the bearing. The engine revs the same and feels and sounds the same in all other respects. Who replaced your bearing in the Burgh?

I'm doing that soon...what did you pay for the job?

The bearing was $650, the clutch and pressure plate was $330, the flywheel was $550, the RMS was $20 and the camshaft end seals were $21. I don't know about labor yet because my mechanic has not yet written up the bill. I don't plan on getting rid of the car any time soon and really like it so I didn't mind putting some money in it. The clutch and flywheel are maintenance items and the rest make sense to do when the transmission is out. If I was short on cash or planned on getting rid of the car soon, I probably would not have spent the extra money on the IMS bearing. My car had the original double row bearing which by all accounts has a very low failure rate. When removed, the bearing looked and felt fine. If, however, I chose not to replace the IMS bearing and had a failure, I would have been kicking myself. In my opinion, it was money well spent.

Why didf you need a new flywheel after just 46,000 miles?

Hi Guys - my Box is going in Monday after next for the IMS upgrade. I bought the car last summer, and put about 5k on it (it had 78K on the clock when I got it). It runs perfectly, but I do not want to take the chance. I already installed the LN oil filter adapter upgrade and the improved LN magnetic oil drain plug, so the bearing will be the last piece of the puzzle. I see a bunch of you are also from Pittsburgh. Who are you guys using?

While I like to do most of the wrenching myself, for the bigger jobs, I do use local mechanics. I am having Pete at Pete's European Techniques in Coroapolis do the IMS bearing upgrade.. Since the passing of John Raysich, Pete is the only one left who I trust enough to work on my Porsches. John Jr is pretty good, but Pete knows the CIS system inside and out and that is what my 928 has. Not many left who know much about 928s. Pete also does many IMS jobs.

Pete also did mine & I believe he does many of them, though mine was first probably first dual ceramic he did. Had a very stiff clutch even though my mileage was quite low, so that is really why I had the IMS done. Clutch made a big difference, but I also think the engine is somehow better / smoother.

heliguy, I did not start out planning to replace the flywheel. When my mechanic had everything apart he called me and I went to look at it. He thought it was a little rough and when I tried the test described on the Pelican website, the flywheel did not move back to its original position when turned either way. I decided to replace it rather than take a chance and have to disassemble everything in another ten thousand miles to replace it. Like I said in an earlier post, if I was short on cash I wouldn't have replaced the IMS bearing and maybe not the flywheel. The car drives much better now with the new clutch and flywheel.

Link - just put 2 and 2 together - how the hell are you! Hope to see you at some of the local car events this summer.

Hey Ed. What's up? I'm glad you joined the Boxster owners ranks. You can give your Bahnstormer a rest. I am definitely looking forward to some car events this summer. I am sure I will see you at more than a couple. Take care and I'll see you soon.

Glad I found this thread. I am retiring from the military and heading back home to the Pittsburgh area, was wondering where to take my Boxster - now I know... Thanks.

just to make it clear for future reference.
the flywheel does not jumps back to its original position by itself.
the test means that you need to be able to twist it one side about 15 mm with some resistance, return it back to the same spot, and twist it again to the other side.

Most of these cars need a clutch at well below 46K miles.

I'm having my clutch & IMS bearing replaced next month.

The clutch has always juddered slightly when cold, is this normal or might the flywheel need replacing when it's examined?

Good plan, I have 110,000 on the original everything. I will replace what you did when I go in there.