IMS Bearing

[hms1]

Wayne,
How come in your how to on the bearing replacement you do not in your sequence you do not say when to re-install the chain tension-er nut.

[Wayne 962]

Simple oversight - some people don't remove or loosen the tensioners. I added that sentence to the article.

-Wayne

[hms1]

So on my 2000 S five chain motor I really do not have to release the tension to complete update?

[Wayne 962]

Originally Posted by hms1

So on my 2000 S five chain motor I really do not have to release the tension to complete update?

Releasing the tension makes the re-installation of the bearing much easier. I always release the tensioners by backing them out a bit.

-Wayne

[hms1]

Wayne,
I am working on my drive on hoist, ready to remove the clutch and flywheel to get started now that all my parts are here. Noticed that I would have move room to work if I removed the rear axle cross support. Tires are square on drive on platforms, engine supported on rear engine boss which is supported via blocks on rolling jack platform. Anyone ever had any issues removing that rear axle support that ties both rear suspensions together? Your thoughts?
HMS1

[Wayne 962]

If you remove this support, it can change the rear alignment, and then you need to have the car realigned. Other than that, there are no issues.

Wayne

[hms1]

Thanks Wayne, I decided not to remove the rear suspension support after all. The project is proceeding well so far, I have the bearing cover bolts out, center bolt and IMS bearing locked in place. However, removing left and right exhaust cam plug covers with the engine in the car is next to impossible. The rear suspension support is blocking the rear and there is barely a straight access/view of the front bank 1-3. Since this is a five chain motor and intake and exhaust are tied together would not I achieve the same thing by marking either intake or exhaust on either bank?
HMS1

[Wayne 962]

Yes, that's correct. The intake and exhaust camshafts are indeed tied together on the 5-chain motors, so they aren't going to slip with respect to each other.

-Wayne

[hms1]

Wayne,
A couple of questions; Has anyone had any feedback on how well and long the single retro fit unit has work i.e. what kind of mileage. Next, what if some one removes the double bearing inspects in and deems it serviceable, can it be re-installed and or can a factory double be install? Anyone successfully done that? By the way your procedure as described went well. Thanks

[mikefocke]

When you remove a bearing, do you have the equipment and experience to judge the condition of the bearing? It isn't enough to see that it spins, the balls are generally examined under a microscope for any pitting. Can you do that?

I've been told repeatedly that Porsche does not sell a "factory double" bearing.

LN sells a kit, Pelican sells a kit and Casper Labs may be selling their kit. There are other kits in the development stage.

[Wayne 962]

The Pelican kit is not a retrofit - it simply replaces the factory bearing with a new one of the same exact type. So, you are refreshing the bearing, but all of the same design issues that are an inherent part of the Porsche engine still remain. That is why we recommend replacement every 30,000 miles and very frequent oil changes.

As for bearing removal, once you pull out a bearing using force on the inner race, you shouldn't reuse it. The bearings are not designed to have such large axial loads placed on them and they can be damaged when removed. During installation, the pressing loads are placed on the outer race, not the inner race (if installed with the proper tools) so there is no damage. But the removal process pulls the bearing out using the inner race which can cause damage to the eating and cause it to separate as well.

Wayne

[recycled sixtie]

Originally Posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts

The Pelican kit is not a retrofit - it simply replaces the factory bearing with a new one of the same exact type. So, you are refreshing the bearing, but all of the same design issues that are an inherent part of the Porsche engine still remain. That is why we recommend replacement every 30,000 miles and very frequent oil changes.

If it is exactly the same bearing why should I replace my original one when I have the IMS Guardian installed and there is no warning of failure? Once the clutch goes, then I will consider a replacement for the IMS bearing. So far so good As long as I do frequent oil changes then I consider it unnecessarily expensive to replace the IMS every 30k miles.

[mikefocke]

Recycled, I can come up with a scenario which justifies every option known from benign neglect to replacement with the latest and greatest. Lets not tell anyone they are wrong as everyone's risk tolerance is different and their economic situation may be too.

[recycled sixtie]

Originally Posted by mikefocke

Recycled, I can come up with a scenario which justifies every option known from benign neglect to replacement with the latest and greatest. Lets not tell anyone they are wrong as everyone's risk tolerance is different and their economic situation may be too.

I do appreciate your insightful comments re the ims. I just think that the worst thing to do is nothing. The more info that us owners put on the forums the better. I just hate to see somebody buy a Boxster and the thing implodes due IMS fail. There is no excuse for not knowing before buying . There is lots of info out there. Even if I have a new IMS installed, the IMS Guardian will remain installed.

[Wayne 962]

Originally Posted by recycled sixtie

If it is exactly the same bearing why should I replace my original one when I have the IMS Guardian installed and there is no warning of failure? Once the clutch goes, then I will consider a replacement for the IMS bearing. So far so good As long as I do frequent oil changes then I consider it unnecessarily expensive to replace the IMS every 30k miles.

Clutches typically last about 30,000 miles, so it's convenient to replace the bearing once you're in there. If you feel comfortable with the IMS Guardian, then you should be fine...

-Wayne

[Jeff396]

Wayne,

If your car has a single row IMS bearing and you go with the LN retrofit that comes with the cover also can you then change your car to use the double row bearing? I just can't see how it wouldn't be better to have that extra row of balls in there for better support. Also, when using the LN retrofit kit is there still a recommended time frame to change the bearing out again?

Thanks,

Jeff

[intakexhaust]

Originally Posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts

Clutches typically last about 30,000 miles, so it's convenient to replace the bearing once you're in there. If you feel comfortable with the IMS Guardian, then you should be fine...

-Wayne

Really, only 30K miles? Based on what, cr@ppy clutch or driver technique?