Jake Raby of Flat 6 Innovations, the inventor of the IMS Solution, has spent decades educating Porsche owners on the nuances of intermediate shaft (IMS) bearing failures. In a recent RenVision video, Jake shifts the spotlight to the often misunderstood M97 6305 large single row IMS bearing, used in 2006–2008 Porsche Cayman, Boxster, and 911 models.
This article highlights key takeaways from Jake’s video and explains what every Porsche owner should know if their vehicle is equipped with the M97 bearing.
What Is the M97 IMS Bearing?
The M97 IMS bearing is a large single-row 6305 bearing introduced in mid-2005 and fitted to all 2006–2008 Porsche 987 (Boxster/Cayman) and 997 (911) models with the M96/97 engine family. It succeeded earlier dual-row and 6204 single-row IMS bearings, which were more prone to failure.
The larger M97 bearing has proven to be highly reliable, with Jake Raby personally having seen only three failures since 2006.
Why the M97 Bearing Can’t Be Retrofitted (Under Normal Circumstances)
A crucial point often misunderstood: The M97 bearing cannot be removed without full engine disassembly. Unlike earlier IMS bearings that could be accessed through the crankcase's rear service port, the 6305 bearing is physically too large to pass through this port.
Modifying the crankcase to access the M97 bearing is strongly discouraged due to the risk of damaging structural integrity.
🔧 If the engine is apart, the M97 bearing can and should be replaced—preferably with the IMS Solution, a permanent fix developed by Jake Raby and sold by LN Engineering.
What to Do If Your Porsche Has the M97 Bearing
Jake's advice is straightforward:
-
If your engine is together and running well, do not retrofit the M97 bearing.
-
If your engine is apart, it makes sense to upgrade the bearing while you’re in there.
LN Engineering offers a ceramic hybrid bearing replacement or the IMS Solution, which replaces the ball bearing entirely with a plain bearing and provides future serviceability via a bushing adapter.
🛠️ Learn more about replacement options here:
👉 M97 IMS Bearing Replacement Guide
What About 2005 Model Year Vehicles?
The 2005 model year is a gray area. Some engines from 2005 were fitted with the older, failure-prone 6204 single-row bearing, while others received the newer M97 6305 bearing. Unfortunately, VINs and engine numbers cannot reliably tell you which you have.
Jake recommends a visual inspection of the IMS flange bolt:
-
13mm nut = early single row (6204) bearing
-
22mm nut = M97 large bearing (6305)
If you discover a 13mm nut during a clutch job or other gearbox-out service, stop and retrofit the IMS bearing immediately.
What About Factory Replacement Engines?
Even early Boxsters and 996s (1997–2004) may have M97 bearings if they received factory replacement engines after 2005. Porsche retroactively used the 6305 bearing in replacement engines, regardless of model year.
Some clues:
-
Later replacement engines often use inverted Torx fasteners instead of hex head bolts.
-
Engine serial numbers marked “M96” may still contain M97 internals.
-
Visual inspection remains the only reliable method to confirm.
Should You Still Be Worried About the M97 Bearing?
While Jake Raby dislikes ball bearings inside engines as a matter of principle, he acknowledges that the M97 IMS bearing is robust and rarely fails. That said, high-mileage or heavily tracked cars may be more vulnerable.
Best practices for owners:
-
Change your oil every 6 months or 5,000 miles, whichever comes first.
-
Use a quality oil and monitor for early warning signs like unusual noises.
-
If the engine ever comes apart, replace the IMS bearing proactively.
Final Thoughts
Jake Raby’s RenVision video clears up much of the confusion surrounding the M97 IMS bearing. His message is clear: Don't panic if your Porsche has the M97 bearing, but be informed and plan ahead.
If your car is from 2006–2008, rest easier knowing the bearing is strong. If it’s a 2005 model or earlier with a replacement engine, take steps to visually confirm which bearing is present—and only trust direct inspection, not VIN or lawsuit eligibility data.
🔗 Related reading:
No comments:
Post a Comment