transmission and IMS bearing, DIY or take to shop?

[whatnot]

I need to replace the transmission and IMS bearing on my 996 C2.
I have a transmission with low miles on the way but really not sure how big of a job it would be to do myself.

The transmission part seems pretty simple. The IMS bearing and RMS I am not sure about. I have seen write ups on it and it doesn't look that complicated but then I see some stuff that kind of scares me.

The only place near by that will do it quoted me $1800 to do it including the rear main seal and a LN engineering IMS bearing.

I was thinking about doing it myself and using the Pelican kit. It just seems that if it isn't a huge deal to do the bearing it would be better to have a fresh one every time the clutch is replaced. Also from what I read, it is easier to damage the LN bearing installing it if you don't know what you are doing.

So anyway, is this something that I will regret getting into if I do myself?

[ltusler]

If you're not sure. Let them do it for the 1800 and give them the new tranny to install.

[Eharrison]

I did it. Takes some grunt work. You're lucky if you have a lift or a way to get the car up higher than jacks.

If you're just going the jacks route, secure the car really well. Learn to cuss with your inside voice, get ready to get dirty. You really have to enjoy working on cars to to the job on your own and with limited equipment. My thread on RL

[whatnot]

If I had a lift I would do it myself for sure.


I am most likely going to have the shop do it this time. Will be 2 weeks till they can get it in so I might change my mind but already have an appointment setup.

I need to figure out what to do about the clutch now. I have no idea what condition it is in. I put about 12k miles on the car since I bought it and have no idea how old it was then. I am going to at least plan on having it replaced.

Is there a better option than the OEM clutch?

[whatnot]

I see the clutch is different for 99-01 than 02-04.
Anyone happen to know what the difference is?

[jwetering]

I replaced my clutch without a hoist. One of the bolts holding the transmission to the engine is a bit hard to reach, otherwise it's easy.

My RMS was dry so I left it, and my motor is a factory replacement from late 2005 so the IMSB can't be replaced without cracking the case. I left it too.

They would have been easy to do though. I did replace my AOS and I also installed a gbox detent "while I was in there.

Just the fact that you're asking the question tells me that it is something you could handle.

[ChemMan]

For $1800, I would let a shop do the work especially if I did not have a lift.

[whatnot]

Yeah, I am going to let them do it this time. If I had a lift I would definitely do it myself.
After adding up all the special tools and other stuff I was going to need to buy, there wasn't that much left to save.