Porsche Boxster and Cayman IMS Bearing Replacement Guide
The Porsche Boxster (986, 987) and Cayman (987) with M96/M97 engines share the same IMS bearing failure risk as the 996/997 911. A failed IMS bearing destroys the engine. We perform the LN Engineering IMS Pro retrofit on Boxster and Cayman — the same fix as the 911.
Call (650) 588-9199Labor Time
10-16 hours (more than 911 due to mid-engine layout)
Pricing
Quoted after inspection
Serving
San Bruno, Burlingame, San Mateo, San Francisco
Warranty
LN Engineering kit: lifetime on bearing components
Common Symptoms
If you experience these symptoms, your Porsche Boxster 986/987 and Cayman 987 may need ims bearing replacement:
Why This Happens
Understanding the root cause helps prevent future issues:
Our Repair Process
How we handle ims bearing replacement at Express Auto in San Bruno:
Drain oil and filter — inspect for metallic debris
Remove transmission (rear-engine mid-mount layout adds labor)
Remove clutch assembly and flywheel
Extract factory IMS bearing housing
Install LN Engineering IMS Pro dual-row bearing with full oil-bath lubrication
Inspect and replace RMS (rear main seal) at same time — never skip this
Reinstall transmission, refill with Porsche-spec 0W-40 Mobil 1
Road test and PIWIS 4 scan
Parts & Warranty
Parts Used
ims Bearing
LN Engineering IMS Pro dual-row retrofit kit
rms
Rear Main Seal (Porsche OEM recommended)
clutch
Inspect and replace if worn — same labor window
Service Details
Labor Time
10-16 hours (more than 911 due to mid-engine layout)
Pricing
Quoted after inspection
Warranty
LN Engineering kit: lifetime on bearing components
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my 987.2 Boxster or 987.2 Cayman need the IMS retrofit?
The 987.2 generation (2009-2012 Boxster, 2009-2012 Cayman) received the direct-oil-feed IMS bearing — a fundamental design fix. These engines (M97.21 and MA1.20/21 flat-six) are NOT prone to IMS failure and do not need the LN Engineering retrofit. Only the 986 Boxster (all years) and early 987 Boxster (2005-2008) with M96 engines need proactive replacement. If you're not sure which engine you have, call us and we'll identify it by VIN.
Should I replace the clutch at the same time as the IMS bearing on my Boxster?
Strongly recommended. The transmission must be removed for IMS access — the same labor step required for clutch replacement. If your clutch has more than 40,000 miles, replacing it during the IMS job avoids paying for that labor twice. We inspect clutch wear before recommending replacement.
Need this Porsche repair?
Book online in 2 minutes — no deposit. Honest estimate before any work — we service Porsche Boxster 986/987 and Cayman 987 and other makes.
Porsche Repair by Peninsula City
We serve Porsche owners across the Peninsula. Free inspection, walk-in or by appointment: a code scan plus a visual inspection.