IMS show n tell

[jaekormtb]

I pulled the IMS from my 996 (1999 C4) and thought I'd let everyone have a look. The dual row bearing spins smoothly and has zero play. The shaft it rides on looks good, too. The cover has a rough edge inside, but that surface does not contact anything. Strangely, the cover has no markings. Most that I've seen photos for had "Germany" or a part number on them. The rubber o-ring is flattened and definitely shot, which I'm sure contributed to the leak I found. I've got the LNE kit to replace the bearing.

So, jury of my peers, what are your thoughts on this...

Did I just spend $$ to replace a good part?

Did I just save my engine?

Does the personal learning experience alone justify the similar-to-3-credit-hours cost?

I really want to pop the seal and look inside, but in order to have the LNE warranty, I need to send them the bearing. What would Jesus do??

BTW, sorry to those who saw this over on the 986 forum, but I'm looking to get as much info as I can.

[Uwon]

Congratulations on taking charge of this potential nightmare. Too many of us 996 and 997 owners are procrastinating and as a result not enjoying these otherwise great cars. Seems to me that a new bearing from whomever together with a DOF system is the way to go. I would personally prefer the DOF system that feeds off the oil filter (rather than of the head) but as I understand it it's not available to the DIY. In my case with a 997S, I don't have the luxury of replacing the bearing so I am going to feed the DOF from Tuners RS from the LN spin-on oil filter adapter already installed and I'm also going to put an oil pressure gauge to the oil-line. **** the torpedoes-better than nothing. M2CW

Johan

[Uwon]

OH, sorry for the rant. Got a bit off topic. As to your question on popping the seal, seeing that the bearing is not noisy you know that there won't be anything in there. So let LN have it.

Johan

[Y2K911]

How much mileage on this car/bearing, if you don't mind me asking? Thanks!

[jaekormtb]

Forgot the mileage...76,000.

[Ahsai]

Forgot the mileage...76,000.

Not too surprising the original bearing is still good. Most ppl who changed out their bearings experienced the same. It's a preventive measurement and rarely you see ppl catching a bad original bearing. Anyway, it's done now and that should give you a peace of mind.

[rb101]

I replaced my bearing @ 105K (and a bunch of other stuff, chain guides/tensioners/tensioners pads/water pump/AOS), I pulled the seals and cleaned all the oil out, it runs smoothly, but without the seals the cages rattle. I now have 45K more miles on the LNE and happy I replaced it almost 4 years ago.

[rbrindley1]

I replace mine with an LN at 50K along with clutch and RMS, and now have 72K and have no fear of making a thousand mile trip at any time....I agree with Ahsai, get the peace of mind.

[jaekormtb]

I have earned my IMS merit badge! Got the car together yesterday, but needed 3 litres of Delvac 75W-90 to fill the trans. Filled up the trans and got it running this evening. Since I had to pull the chain tensioners, there was some racket on start-up, but that quieted down right away and the car runs smooth. I replaced the clutch with a Sachs unit. The clutch pedal is nice and light, and with the new trans oil and new engine mounts, shifting is like butter. A while back we had an Infinit G35 6MT coupe, and now my 996 shifts as well as that car did.

All in, replaced :

the clutch, pressure plate, and throw out bearing

IMS with LNE dual row IMS kit

Rms with Pelican PTFE RMS

Engine mounts with new stock units

Flushed clutch with Ate gold

:)