How to Spot IMS Bearing Replacement Symptoms

We don’t want you to fear an IMS bearing issue. We’re here to make your life easier and help you spot the early signs before they develop into something serious. 

But, there really aren’t many warning signs to look out for and if you own a Porsche vehicle with an M96 or M97 engine, you should be aware that the intermediate shaft bearing can fail.

 

You can do some simple checks on a routine basis like:

 

·      If you notice metallic debris in your oil filter, it probably came from the bearing.

·      Oil leaks at the rear of your engine could be a sign that oil is leaking from you rear main seal.

 

If you discover something unsettling with your Porsche, bring it to Rennstatt at ArborMotion. Our Porsche specialist will determine the heart the problem and let you know whether an IMS bearing upgrade is recommended.

 

Schedule Your IMS Bearing Upgrade on Your Porsche in Ann Arbor. Drive Further 

At Rennstatt, we’ve got a certified passion for Porsche! Our Porsche technicians work hard to ensure that your vehicle is performing at its best. The upgrade will take about a week at our shop. When you’re ready to upgrade your IMS bearing, give us a call at 734-761-1088. We’re happy to help you with all your Porsche maintenance and repair needs.

Everything You Need to Know About Choosing the IMS Bearing Upgrade Kit at ArborMotion

If you own a 1997 to 2008 Boxster, Cayman, or water-cooled 911 model Porsche, then you’ve most likely heard about the potential issue with your engine’s intermediate shaft bearing. 

The good news is the bearing doesn’t fail at the rate the internet would like you to believe. The bad news is that IMS bearing failures do happen and when they do, it’s catastrophic, leaving you with a vehicle that has little value and not worth installing another new or used engine.  

 

The better news is with an IMS bearing upgrade you mitigate this potential issue, and you can enjoy your Porsche for many miles to come.

 

M96 engines (996, 911, & 986 Boxster) have two different serviceable IMS bearings (Dual or Single row). We must see the actual bearing to determine which style your car uses. The approach we use for the M96 engines upgrades your sealed roller bearing to a direct oil fed plain style bearing that uses oil pressure from the oil filter housing. The 997 and 987 vehicles were introduced in 2005 with the new M97 engine, yet some early models still used used the M96 engine with a serviceable bearing. There’s no VIN split, so looking at the stamped engine code is the only way to verify whether you have an M96 or M97. 

 

The M97 IMS bearing is not externally serviceable, but there is an option to minimize the chance of failure. The M97 IMS upgrade we use is an oil fed cover that uses oil pressure from the cylinder head. Sebastian Gaeta, the owner of ArborMotion & Rennstatt, uses this cover for his personal car and he's quite happy that the option is now available to protect the non-serviceable bearings.

 

In summary, the proper solution for your Porsche will depend on which engine model you have. Learn more about the IMS Bearing failure here.

 

Porsche Service in Ann Arbor for IMS Bearing Upgrade: We’re the Experts!

At Rennstatt, we’re passionate about offering high-quality care for your daily driver, summer toy, or race car. Your Porsche is our shared focus. Our Porsche technicians work to ensure your vehicle is performing at its best.

 

The IMS Bearing Upgrade Kit allows you to enjoy driving your Porsche worry-free! If you're ready to schedule your upgrade, call or book your appointment today for Porsche service in Ann Arbor!