Imo000

Here is my take and this is only my opinion. If you engine has a double row bearing, leave it alone. If not, then change it. What to change it with is a tough decision. After all the thinking, I've decided to swallow my pride just get the one from LN (double row) and be done with it. The main reason was their reputation and the length of time it has been on the market. My little experiment with the replacement hybrid bearing was fun but I don't have the funds to keep experimenting until the engine pops due to the bearing, it would be a huge financial issue for me if it went. I lucked out and the replacement bearing didn't' completely fall apart before the main bearings got roasted at the drag strip and the engine is fixable. This might not happen again if I keep experimenting.

elgy

Thanks for the reply. More food for thought. Both of my 2000 Boxsters should have the double row bearings. The green one has about 135,000 Km so I feel fine with leaving the IMSB alone. The Blue one has 185,000 Km which makes me nervous from the mileage point of view, but then on your 996 the IMSB was OK and it had around 200,000 miles when you bought it, right?

jumper5836

I replaced my LN single row bearing with a LN dual row bearing conversion. Both the OEM and LN bearing had no issues just peace of mind.

strathconaman

For the price difference between a dual row LN bearing + spin on filter and the dual row IMS Solution, I would recommend the solution.

I put one in last year and all my wildest dreams came true.

Imo000

Yes, the gauge cluster had around 200K miles. My buddy has a '99 with around 190K kms too and still has the original bearing and is not planning to tough it. He is a gearhead like me. I would recommend, and this is just my own recommendation, nothing more, to keeping the oil level up so that these bearings can sit in the oil while the car isn't driven.

Imo000

I think this was a good ides. If you are replacing a single row bearing, might as well at least get the dual row retrofit or if you can afford it the Solution. Funny enough though, the other end of the IMS has the Solution from the factory. If they only did the same on the this end of this shaft!

jmh981

Vote for Pedro!

GTA_G20

Imo000

Updated the thread with pictures. http://reutterwerk.com/forums/showth...819#post382819

Imo000

Everyone likes carnage pictures. Here is a clip of the hybrid double row bearing, that I've sourced myself looks like. It was ready to completely come apart.

jumper5836

wow that was loose

strathconaman

My wildest dreams were to drive around without worrying about the engine suddenly grenading on me without warning. Now all I have to worry about is:

1. bore score
2. IMS paddle failure
3. thrust bearing failure
4. injector faults
5. second gear pop outs
6. people judging me for the shape of my headlights

GTA_G20

Imo000

Don't know yet. The shaft is straight, checked it yesterday. The bearing was installed properly (not crooked). So my best guess would be that it wasn't mean to be in this environment.

theiceman

That last one is very real and should not be taken lightly