I'm just wondering if I should be very concerned about the many things I have been hearing about intermediate shaft bearing failure on the 996TT. I here it is a much bigger issue on the boxters and non turboed 996's, but I do not want total engine failure w/o any symptoms???? My mechanic says they have new ceramic bearings now with a constant oil flow to them...No longer use sealed bearings. Just wonder how urgent this should be. He said 2K for the "fix". Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

The IMS bearing on the standard NA 996 is a ball type bearing and the bearing on the 996TT, GT2 and GT3 are of the bushing type. The NA 996 has an upgraded bearing to fix it. The dry sump 996TTs are still using the same IMS bearings they came out with. The bearings are not an issue on the 996TT. The woodruff key and the IMS to crank gear lash is a nuisance due to the noise. But neither are a documented failure point.

 

Does your mechanic work on many TT's. My mechanic states that there is no fix that permanently eliminates the IMS gear chatter. He also stated that it is nothing to be concerned over unless the noise is apparent in all RPM ranges. Considering his experience, I trust him completely.

 

It's not 2K for the fix on a 996TT - the entire engine has to be torn apart, case split, etc. to get to the bearings - I would figure at least 10K. As far as this repair is concerned, I would wait for it to happen and then deal with it...it doesn't make sense to try to do bearing replacement in advance of failure.

 

OK. I thought the 996TT's had the same bearing as the 996 N/A's, but if they are different, that would explain why I have also heard the TT's have less problems. The mechanic works on nothing but lambo's ferrari's, Porsche's and mercedes and such. He must have been talking about the 996 N/A's when I asked him about the bearing issues. Thanks for the input.

 

Yes, the 996NA's are replaceable - the TT's are not.

 

2K in tools alone..

 

the end is near...