[smooth]

I'm a new owner of a 2001 3.2 S with 72,000 mi. I pulled the oil filter and have a fair amount of metal and soft chunks of something that roll up under finger pressure. Supposedly the IMS bearing was replaced about 10,000 ago and looking at the outside of it, it doesn't look like the original factory job. Sealer kind of globed on around it? Maybe they didn't clean the engine well if the first bearing started to go, which might explain the debris in the filter? No records with the car so I'm starting from scratch. I want to open the bearing cover and inspect the bearing. How should I proceed if the bearing looks intact? Anyone ever pull the seal off successfully to see if grease or oil is in there? See if there is any side play?
I'm going to drop the pan next to see what's in there, looks like factory sealed. I've only started the car maybe 15 times and had the chain rattle at start up mostly only when cold.