Ims shaft snapping

[drewbz818]

I just spoke with an porsche engine rebuilder who said to avoid ims bearing replacment because it could cause the shaft to snap. So my question is how common is shaft failure post ims bearing retro-fit?

[JFP in PA]

Not to impugn your wrench, but with IMS conversions now numbering over 2,000, that has never happened to my knowledge. In fact, I’ve never heard of it happening even with the OEM unit, or in engines that failed for other reasons.

[drewbz818]

If you look at the threads there is a pic of one on a 04 with 32k, guys posted a clear pic

[JFP in PA]

Of what? The the crappy OEM center bolt (a well documented weakness) snapped, not the shaft.

[drewbz818]

Would you happen to know if the ln engineeing retro fit comes with a better bolt? Im looking to make the best choice before I spend any dough. New to boxster sorry if my questions sound lame, just have so many right now. Love the car, just not sure if I should keep it.

[JFP in PA]

Yes, it comes with a much better (and larger) center bolt. Visit the LN Engineering website and all will be revealed....................

[drewbz818]

Thanks for the info!

[turboflyer]

I doubt seriously if it ever needed a bigger nut or bolt. When the bearing goes it dosent really matter much if it stays or goes does it. The leveraged force of the frozen turning parts would most likely pop any thing. Just my thinking on the subject. I will continue to inspect my filter, listen for odd new noises and do the oil analysis. I have also stared adding two quarts of 10-40 Mobile motorcycle oil to the 0-40 change.

[JFP in PA]

The first version center bolt tended to break at or near the under cut for the oring after the bearing was already in trouble, I have not seen enough of the bolts from failed units of the final OEM version (which is also larger) to draw any conclusion as to its durability.

[mikefocke]

A comparison chart of the two kits, the LN currently available and the Pelican one that is almost here is at :

https://sites.google.com/site/mikefocke2/mikesporscheboxsterwebpages/ims-kits

[JFP in PA]

Nice table Mike.

[harryrcb]

+1 Mike on that table

[Schumi]

The actual IMS shaft that runs through the engine itself is rather massive; it will never purely snap.

The bolts in the end, however, do.

There is one picture on the internet of an intermediate shaft that was bent up rather badly, but I think that was part of a much larger and more catastrophic failure.

[Elombard]

Waynes book talks about the bolt issues - and its mentioned above, I think that is what your wrench is talking about, maybe he is not aware of the kits??

[Wayne 962]

Hi Drew. Read this article here, and all your questions will be answered: Pelican Technical Article: Boxster Intermediate Shaft Bearing Replacement and Upgrade (IMS) - 986 Boxster (1997-04) - 987 Boxster (2005-06)

Our upcoming kit comes with a new bolt (shaft) that is stronger and replaces the factory one.

-Wayne

[NOTASIX]

What??
It sounds like this person has no idea what the upgrade products actually are. Continue doing your homework.

What causes the shaft (stud) to break is the failure of the IMS bearing which leads to the bearing seizing and the stud snapping as it secures the inner race. When the inner and outer races fuse through seizure of the balls the stud is the weak link and snaps.

Here is our latest example, pulled apart just yesterday.

[drewbz818]

Think he just wanted to get 15k out of me for a rebuilt motor, im going with ln retro fit.
Thanks for all the info.

[intakexhaust]

Amazing.. $15K for a swap with a rebuilt motor. To think many early and clean Boxster's are available at that price, you could buy one and drive it until that one grenades and so forth. Scrap out the blown cars and recoup a few thou. Recycled Boxsters... kind of like 'going green'!