Intermediate shaft bearing (IMS) kit EARLY, with all ancillary parts. 987 Boxster / Boxster S Manual

IMS Bearing Upgrade Kit with Full Ancillaries – Essential Protection for Early Porsche 987.1 Boxster, Manual with M96 Engines

This IMS bearing upgrade kit is engineered for early Porsche 987.1 Boxster / Boxster S manual models equipped with the M96 engine, providing a reliable solution to one of the platform’s most well-known weak points—the original intermediate shaft bearing. The kit includes the upgraded IMS bearing along with all required ancillaries, such as exhaust clamps, sleeves, installation hardware, seals and mounting components, ensuring a complete and efficient upgrade process.

Fits:

• Porsche Boxster 987 2.7L 2005-2006
• Porsche Boxster 987 S 3.2L 2005-2006

The IMS (Intermediate Shaft) bearing supports the rotating shaft that drives the camshafts. In early M96 engines, the bearing design is prone to wear, lubrication issues and seal degradation, which can lead to sudden catastrophic engine failure. Upgrading to this improved bearing system significantly enhances longevity, durability and lubrication stability, giving 987.1 Boxster owners peace of mind and extended engine life.

What This IMS Bearing Upgrade Kit Does

This kit provides:

• A reinforced, upgraded IMS bearing assembly designed to replace the vulnerable early M96 version
  
• Higher load capacity for improved resistance to wear
  
• Enhanced lubrication performance, reducing friction and heat
  
• A complete installation set including clamps, hardware, gaskets and sleeves
  
• Protection against bearing collapse, a leading cause of engine failure
  
• A smoother, more stable camshaft drive Long-term engine reliability, particularly important for daily and spirited driving

Perfect for professional workshops or specialists performing preventative maintenance on early 987.1 manual engines.

Why IMS Bearings Fail in Early Porsche M96 Engines

The early design is susceptible to:

• Lubrication wash-out, causing bearing overheating
  
• Seal deterioration, resulting in grease loss
  
• Contaminants entering the bearing housing
• High RPM vibration, accelerating fatigue
  
• Axial and radial load stress, beyond what the original bearing can handle
  
• Age-related failure, especially above 50–80k miles

Often, the engine gives little or no warning before failure.

Why the IMS Bearing Should Be Upgraded on 987.1 Boxster

Replacing the original bearing with the upgraded 99610590102EPS kit ensures:

• Greatly reduced risk of catastrophic engine failure
• Smoother engine operation and increased longevity
• Better lubrication and thermal management
• A complete installation with all necessary ancillaries
• Confidence for long-term ownership
• Improved reliability for both road use and track driving

This upgrade is widely regarded as critical preventative maintenance for Porsche M96-powered 987.1 models.