Haalex

Hey guys,

I'm in the process of buying a nice 996 with rather low miles (45k-ish). Car's a late 98 build so I expect to find a dual row IMS, especially since there is no history of it having ever been changed.
The clutch in the car is still strong and I'd say it's got a fair few miles left in it. Being after a worry-free driving experience, I elected to have the IMS & clutch swapped out upon receipt of the car, especially since the shop is "only" asking for about $2500 for the lot, which is rather cheap for the area.

The car won't be driven much, maybe 3-4k/year at the most (I'm lucky enough to commute by bicycle). Is a low-miles clutch and IMS swap a good idea? Or should I keep my hard-earned greenbacks?

BR,
Alex

autofiend

There is a solid chance you could drive the car for years without trouble from the IMS.

But piece of mind sometimes will cost you. I’d go with the replacement just so you don’t have it to worry about.

I did the same with mine (though my car has a single row). The bearing in my car was pristine.

frederik

Take my advice and make sure you trust the shop 100%, and use a high-quality IMSB like the LN Retrofit. When I bought my C2, I had the selling shop replace the IMSB and it grenaded after two years. Had I kept the original dual row, it would probably still be running fine.

RennPart

Here is a 72k mile dual row from a 2/98 car the owner had me do an "elective" IMSB service on..

--Aaron

plpete84

Replace it since you're in there. More often than not, it's the low mile examples that tend to have IMS problems. Its a part that requires lubrication and healthy oil. Not using the car is not helping preserve the IMS.

Ben8jam

Thanks for sharing those pics. Is this a good looking bearing or bad? Looks like a small retaining clip broke?

996-CAB

Do not simply swap out an older IMS bearing for a new IMS bearing unless it is from LN Engineering, EPS or is Direct Feed or you are just replacing one ticking time bomb with another. I don't understand how your shop can do this job for so little unless they are quoting the labor only. The lower cost LN Engineering bearing is nearly $1,000 and a clutch maybe something close. If you do go with the LN Engineering product, make sure you send back, or have the shop send back the old bearing and register the new one. While they are in there, makes sense to replace the rear main seal (RMS). It isn't an expensive part. Let us know how it goes.

philbert996

Have the IMS Solution installed if you’re looking for a “worry-free” driving experience.
( not sure if there’s any such thing with the M96)

You’ll never have to worry about the IMS bearing again.

Just remember to change the fuel injectors too.

996-CAB

Bad, and caught in the nick of time before it 86d the engine. And Thanks Ben8Jam for the pictures. Seeing the seal deteriorating is quite interesting. When I replaced mine (with LN Engineering retrofit), the one that came out was clearly a Porsche dealer replacement of the original and looked like new. So my 996 is on its third IMS bearing and quite happy about it.

996-CAB

philbert996, what is the risk on the fuel injectors? It may be the only thing that hasn't been replaced...yet.

Theo

Ben8jam

Not my pics, I was asking Rennpart if the pics he was showing were of a good or bad dual row.

DBJoe996

This!

philbert996

Leaking fuel injectors have been found to cause bore scoring.
At 24 years old they’re due for replacement.
Use new OEM Porsche injectors only!
NOT aftermarket or rebuilt/refurbished/remanufactured

gbarron

You can easily do some investigative work before deciding. Take an oil sample and have it analyzed for particles, cut open you oil filter to look for metal fragments, and check your cam deviations. If these all are good then you have some time to decide your course of action. I followed this process with my dual-row car and eventually had the IMS done when the RMS started leaking. The removed bearing was in pristine condition, but for piece of mind I decided to have it replaced anyway. Also, if your decide to change the clutch then a flywheel will also be in the cards, so you need to factor that into your budget as well. AOS replacement or UAOS upgrade should also be considered once in that area. I suspect the $2500 quote would balloon to 4K+ quite easily.

ZuffenZeus

Alex, your car is 25 years old. The IMS bearing is a wear item just like your clutch, flywheel, pressure plate, and transmission's throwout bearing. Change it out with a reputable Porsche shop. Do the RMS and AOS too!