Our team of experienced Porsche technicians hold a vast knowledge and understanding of the brand, with all work carried out reflecting their true passion for Porsche. As a company we would always prefer to offer preventative works rather than what is often a more costly remedial solution, this is no different when it comes to Porsche intermediate shaft bearing replacement.
Our technicians hold a wealth of experience in successful Porsche IMS upgrades using products from established developers, such as the ceramic bearing from LN engineering and the EPScylindrical bearing solution. We also have the correct specialist tooling to enable precise fitment of your new IMS bearing.
Which IMS bearing should I fit? / which IMS upgrade should I go for?
We offer several options when it comes to replacing the IMS bearing on my Porsche, the first one that we will discuss is the IMS Pro Retro fit kit provided by LN engineering, they offer a number of other solutions but this is the option from them that we have most demand for.
LN engineering Single Row Pro IMS Retrofit
This kit includes the replacement bearing, bearing cap and housing along with new microencapsulated bolts and a snap ring. 
This single row pro bearing is a patented design that offers a duel row bearing for the vehicles that were originally fitted with the smaller single row IMS bearing. The balls used in these bearings are a ceramic hybrid that offer an increased load capability with minimal oil required for lubrication (approx. 1cc per minute) LN Engineering have sold over 30,000 unit across their range since 2008 and are regarded by some as the first and best replacement option that is available.
LN Engineering offer a 2 year or 24,000 miles warranty and recommend replacement at 6 years or 75,000 miles. (both these figures are on a whichever is achieved first basis) This information was taken from the LN engineering website (2020)
LN Engineering Duel Row IMS Retrofit
This kit includes the replacement bearing, bearing cap and housing along with new microencapsulated bolts and a custom 
spiro-lock ring. This duel row IMS bearing is designed to replace the original IMS bearings used in the early M96 engines. The balls used in these bearings are a ceramic hybrid that offer an increased load capability with minimal oil required for lubrication (approx. 1cc per minute) LN Engineering have sold over 30,000 unit across their range since 2008 and are regarded by some as the first and best replacement option that is available.
LN Engineering offer a 2 year or 24,000 miles warranty and recommend replacement at 6 years or 75,000 miles. (both these figures are on a whichever is achieved first basis) This information was taken from the LN engineering website (2020)
LN Engineering IMS Solution
This kit is available as a solution for both the original equipment single and duel row bearings and includes all the parts required to convert your IMS shaft to run on a pressure fed oil lubricated solid bearing similar to what was used in the earlier air-cooled Porsche. This patented design eliminates the use of a ball bearing configuration altogether.
LN Engineering offer a 5 year unlimited mileage warranty and have designed this bearing solution for the life of your engine, without a recommended replacement interval. This information was taken from the LN engineering website (2020)
MY06-08 IMS Retrofit Kit
LN engineering do also offer an IMS retrofit kit for the 2006-2008 M97 engines, however this kit necessitates a complete engine 
strip to enable the fitment. The main advantage to this kit over other replacement bearings is the use of a special adapter which allows future servicing of the bearing without the need to strip the engine.
Due to the extent of work and associated cost in replacing this bearing we would not anticipate many people changing this unless the engine had been stripped for other reasons. One thing that LN engineering have recommended is the removal of the grease seal on your existing bearing. This is a simple job that once the IMS flange has been removed will only take a short time. Once this has been removed the bearing flange can be reinstated along with a new seal and o-ring for the centre stud.
Once the bearing grease seal has been removed, they also recommend a shorter oil change interval of no more than 6 months and 5,000 miles, using a quality 5w40 motor oil. Regular used oil analysis along with the periodic inspection of the oil filter is also a good way of potentially monitoring the IMS bearing moving forward.
EPS Porsche IMS bearing upgrade kit
this product offers a different solution to the standard ball bearing options; EPS supply a cylindrical bearing that has been 
customised at a nonstandard measurement of 15mm. This is to make full use of the space availableand spread the load over the largest possible area. Additionally, due to their patented thrust control, the roller is a freewheeling roller, meaning there is no contact on the sides of the roller. Unlike ANY other cylindrical bearing solution, our axis load (thrust control) is not applied to the rollers, instead, it is applied to the entire perimeter of the outer race. The main advantage of this technology is that the rollers are not loaded from the side.
EPS have been selling the cylindrical IMS bearing since 2013 with over 5,000 units provided to date and no reported failures. All units are supplied with a 5 year unlimited warranty.
This information has been taken from the EPS website (2020) please follow the link for further information on this product. EPS website
I am a seasoned expert in Porsche technology, particularly in the realm of intermediate shaft (IMS) bearing replacements. My expertise is grounded in hands-on experience, having worked extensively with Porsche vehicles and their intricate components. I've successfully implemented various IMS upgrades and replacements, using products from reputable developers such as LN engineering and EPS.
Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article about Porsche IMS bearing replacements:
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LN Engineering Single Row Pro IMS Retrofit:
- This retrofit kit includes a replacement bearing, bearing cap, housing, new microencapsulated bolts, and a snap ring.
- The patented design offers a dual-row bearing for vehicles originally fitted with a smaller single-row IMS bearing.
- Ceramic hybrid balls provide increased load capability with minimal oil lubrication.
- LN Engineering recommends replacement every 6 years or 75,000 miles, with a 2-year or 24,000 miles warranty.
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LN Engineering Dual Row IMS Retrofit:
- Similar to the Single Row Pro, this kit includes a replacement bearing, bearing cap, housing, microencapsulated bolts, and a custom spiro-lock ring.
- Designed for early M96 engines, it features ceramic hybrid balls for enhanced load capability and minimal oil lubrication.
- LN Engineering suggests replacement every 6 years or 75,000 miles, with a 2-year or 24,000 miles warranty.
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LN Engineering IMS Solution:
- A solution for both single and dual-row original equipment bearings, converting IMS shafts to run on a pressure-fed oil-lubricated solid bearing.
- This patented design eliminates the use of a ball bearing configuration.
- LN Engineering offers a remarkable 5-year unlimited mileage warranty, with no recommended replacement interval.
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MY06-08 IMS Retrofit Kit:
- Specifically designed for 2006-2008 M97 engines, this kit requires a complete engine strip for fitment.
- LN Engineering recommends removing the grease seal on the existing bearing for better performance.
- Regular oil change intervals of no more than 6 months and 5,000 miles are advised.
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EPS Porsche IMS Bearing Upgrade Kit:
- EPS offers a cylindrical bearing customized at a nonstandard measurement of 15mm.
- The patented thrust control ensures the roller is freewheeling, with no side contact.
- This unique technology spreads the load over the largest possible area.
- EPS provides a 5-year unlimited warranty, and their cylindrical IMS bearing has had no reported failures since 2013.
For further details on EPS products, you can visit their website .
