Got my IMSB done!
 

Just got the call from the Indy. Clutch, IMSB, AOS are done and the tensioners are at "-0.5" which are well below the threshhold for changing them, according to the mech.

The IMSB looked new according to him also. He used the OEM (new design) bearing.

Total cost: $2,800.

TC

ETA: Clutch was really stiff when I bought the car in Aug. '13 so I knew a clutch replacement was in the offing. I hoped to get it to Jan. and 80k mi. It had 63k mi. when I bought it and 79.5k now. Last week, I noticed slippage as I went through 4,000 rpms in 3rd gear. I parked it and drove it only a few miles to the Indy (Autocar Specialists/Brian Stewart) on the Westside of Indianapolis. He gave me a swag on the cost which topped out at $5,000. Luckily, it came in on the low end. As I've posted here, Brian is of the mind that these cars--along with Ferraris, et al, need to be driven hard and frequently as they were designed. Even tracking them is good for them. So, I'm happy with the outcome and when I get home, I intend to resume exercising my baby! :)

That's good info. Didn't know Porsche is now selling a newly designed bearing. Wonder if it has better seals like the FVD bearing. Do you have the part number by any chance?

Hey TC - mind sharing the Indy you used? I'm likely to need a similar service before the spring. May DIY, but will probably farm out. Thanks!

Spruden--it's Brian Stewart at Autocar Specialists on Country Club Rd. between 10th and 21st St's. He has been doing Porsches on the Westside for a really long time and is very reasonable.

Ahsai--I will find out what he used exactly when I get home on Monday. The way he described it, he did use the Porsche design that washes the bearing in oil (not pressure fed like the Solution). But, I'll post details when I get them.

TC

Wow, great price for all that, if it included a flywheel then beyond great. Pity he had to pull the factory IMS bearing only to find it was still fresh. But at least he replaced it with the factory part. VERY GOOD CALL! My father-in-law just had his engine blown up by a shyster "Porsche genius" in North Carolina who used the after market part everyone keeps trying to sell here on Rennlist.

Yikes! :eek:

Sorry for your FIL.:crying:

TC

I highly doubt he replaced it with a factory bearing, maybe the same bearing manufacturer. Also to note that a factory bearing is sealed on both sides with self contained grease and isn't suppose to have contact with oil unless one of the seals are compromised.

Ya I'm sure it was the part not the installation that was the culprit there!!

Finally got the invoice pulled up.

He did use an LN product (just not ceramic) and the clutch parts were listed as "clutch kit" with a series of numbers. Can't tell what was included.

TC

Oh ok, false alarm then. Aren't LN bearings ceramic though?

Well for single row M96's you have:

OEM= NSK SR sealed deep groove (better off to remove seals)
LN= Timken SR ceramic hybrid (unsealed on just one side I think)
LN= SR PRO (faultless install tool helps but is not really needed)
Other brand CH bearings

The OEM "new design" bearing is larger in diameter than the hole in the case, so even if there was a way to source it (and there is not through Porsche) there's no way anyone could put one in without dropping the engine and splitting the case. (And I'm not even sure it will fit the IMS shaft tube made for the earlier bearings).

And call LN to be sure of this but TTBOMK all their retrofit ballbearings are ceramic. I believe it's the Pelican one that is steel.

"And call LN to be sure of this but TTBOMK all their retrofit ballbearings are ceramic."

I believe they all have a unique serial # as well - there should be a sticker/label that gets affixed to your car with this LN # on it.

I am pretty sure faultless tool is required for pro

It makes it dummy proof but certainly not required. Its recommended because of the spiroloc used with the "Pro" instead of the OEM retaining clip used on the OEM SR bearing. If youve seen a SR IMS tube retaining clip groove the Pro will make sense to you.