Service Tech's opinion on replacing the IMS
 

Our local PCA chapter got a tech talk on the IMS bearing from LN Engineering... if/how/when to replace. Do you agree?

https://youtu.be/aGZE7pzFYrs

He doesn’t know what he is talking about. He points to a DOF and talks about LN Engineering (the DOF is not theirs), he acts as though machining a notch in the bell housing flange is dangerous, it isn’t; he comments about some sort of “hidden” LN advice about removing the rear seal on OEM bearings that has been published on LN’s website for years. He claims oil feed lines like those used on the LN IMS Solution leak oil; they don’t. I personally own one of the oldest dual row IMS Solution installations on the planet; today, years later, it is as bone dry as it was the day it was installed……………….

The opinions on which IMS bearing replacement to use or even if you should replace are endless.

I'd ask myself who has the most experience with M96 internals? Who has a direct connection to the person who proved that the IMS bearing could be replaced after Porsche had said for years it couldn't be done? Who has the most experience with IMS bearing replacement? Who has the most replacement parts in the field and the most owner driven miles? Who developed a tool set to support their installations? Whose instructions have been refined over the years? Who certifies mechanics? Who offers training courses?

And what financial incentive does the speaker have who is telling you which bearing to use? I notice the video is no longer available. The speaker must be embarrassed he got some of his facts wrong.

If the answers to those questions aren't of any value to you, then pick any supplier you want. No supplier is 100% perfect. But you can improve your chances.

Probably more like the shop he worked for was sufficiently embarrassed to have it taken down.....................

When I was in the market I went to a private shop local to me with a similar such question. The owner told me he'd do it for me if I wanted but that it was an unnecessary expense as far as prophylaxis was concerned.

Totally depends on your risk tolerance level; with the single rows documented at failure rates over 10%, and dual rows around 2%, your shop is simply gambling with your money.

Why not remove the grease seal? A grease seal will not keep oil out but might keep dirt that gets washed in from getting out. There is plenty of oil mist in the crank case for a ball bearing.
Many engines have ball bearings without seals. Curious why Porsche decided it needed a grease seal there.

That can be done, but as to get the engine ready to do this, it is literally 9/10ths of the way to installing a better bearing without a seal, why not put in the better bearing............

The only place just removing the seal actually makes economic sense is when bearing is the third design oversized unit that cannot be retrofit.