Signs of a Porsche Intermediate Shaft Bearing Failure

Posted on | 15 May 2017 By Anita Gaal

Porsche is one of the most highly sought-after manufacturers in luxury brands worldwide. It should come as no surprise that these vehicles are well known for their engineering, design, and expert performance. Like any vehicle, however, Porsche must be serviced regularly and properly maintained in order to function at their best. When you own a Porsche, why would you settle for any less than perfection? Also like all other vehicles, Porsches come with their own set of unique challenges. For instance, it is not uncommon for slightly older models to undergo issues with the intermediate shaft bearings. Intermediate shaft bearings are an integral part of the vehicle that is critical to its overall function.

Find a Porsche expert

For the average car owner, this term may sound dauntingly complicated. All you need to know is the basic function of the part and signs and symptoms to look for when there is a suspected issue. Staying on top of these maintenance and repair issues is what will keep the integrity of your Porsche intact for many years to come. However, just as important is finding the right mechanic to service your Porsche. In order to uphold the time and money you spent on your Porsche in the first place, it is crucial to find experts that will help you keep your Porsche running at its finest, and when it comes to shaft bearing failure, you shouldn’t trust anyone but an auto specialist to address the issue.

Fix the issue fast

If you own a Porsche Boxster or 911 years 97-05, you may want to look into what kind of shape your intermediate shaft bearing is in; these are the models that typically have higher rates of issues with this particular part. Luckily, Porsche automotive experts are trained to be aware of the common issues that are associated with various manufacturers. Do not worry—this is no indication that your Porsche is defective or worth less, it simply means that there is something to look out for. If the problem is left to advance without being addressed, it can lead to significant engine damage that will end up becoming very costly, very quickly. So it is important to look for any of the common signs and symptoms of this part becoming damaged or malfunctioning.

Routine maintenance is highly needed

First and foremost, when you stay on top of the routine maintenance for your Porsche and have it inspected regularly, there are more opportunities for issues to be found that can prevent further issues along the road, literally. Routine oil changes, believe it or not, are one way to detect an issue with the intermediate shaft bearing. Usually when there is debris found in your oil after an oil change, this is a sign that something is off—usually with the shaft bearing. This could likely involve a problem with the bearing seal or flange seal. Even though oil changes are not recommended as frequently on Porsche and other luxury cars, it should be noted that the more frequently the oil is checked, the more you increase the chance of catching a problem with the shaft bearing early. You probably have heard a million times over that oil changes are one of the number one preventive maintenance services—and when you catch a problem such as this early on, it will emphasize exactly why that is.

Final words

If you think the intermediate shaft bearing could potentially be failing on your Porsche, it is critical that it not be driven anywhere, for any reason, at any time. Your best bet is to get a loaner car and have your Porsche towed to the nearest trusted Porsche service center. Because the shaft bearing is such an integral part of the vehicle, and not as well known as say a motor mount, the symptoms tend to go overlooked and eventually cause irreparable damage to your Porsche. Anyone who owns a Porsche knows just how devastating it can be to see your car incapacitated, so take the necessary steps to continue your regular preventive maintenance with only the most qualified professionals. Luckily, Porsche has addressed the issue of the intermediate shaft bearing failure in some of their models, and may offer compensation for the part to be replaced. You should look into the specifics on this if you suspect an issue with this part.

Porsche Carerra 2002 image credit goes to: contrastaddict

10 Preventive Maintenance Suggestions for Your Car

Posted on | 11 Apr 2017 By Anita Gaal

When money is tight, preventive maintenance for your car is probably the last thing on your mind. However, the idea behind continually maintaining your vehicle is that it will save you money in the love run. By monitoring your vehicles needs based on your own individual driving schedule and habits, you can prevent serious wear and tear from occurring to your car. Beyond the interest of saving money, it is also possible that you are a car enthusiast who loves your vehicle like a mother loves a child; you would do anything to keep it from harm. Preventive maintenance is good to practice when you own a vehicle for countless reasons; the most important being saving time and money on more expensive repairs that could have been prevented by routine maintenance. All vehicles follow a different maintenance schedule depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations, but there are at least 10 general maintenance suggestions that will help your car stay in tip-top shape. After all, you never know when you’ll need to leave town unexpectedly, or when you’ll be taking a long drive. In either case, leaving your car sitting in your driveway could cause problems, but issues could also occur along the course of a long drive—the difference will be noticeable when you follow these 10 suggestions.

Routine oil and oil filter change

Firstly, stay on top of oil and oil filter changes; oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle—it keeps all the moving parts greased up and running properly. When the oil and/or oil filter in your car is not clean, fine particles of dust and dirt begin to grind between the other moving parts of your car’s engine, causing wear and difficulty for the car to run smoothly. Another item that must be inspected and replaced routinely is your air filter; for the same reason, your air filter is meant to keep unwanted, damaging particles out of your engine and the moving parts. A good rule of thumb is to have your air filter checked each time you get your oil changed—about every 3 months or so, depending on how often and how long of a distance you drive your car regularly. Additionally, keep all the fluids in your car topped off—these could also be checked and filled when you take your car in for a routine oil change.

Take care of your tires

Checking your tire pressure is highly underestimated; it is essential to be sure that all 4 tires are running on the same pressure—if not, it can cause an uneven tread in your tires causing them to need to be replaced sooner than generally necessary. Furthermore, when there is a clear issue with uneven wear on your tires, it may be an opportunity for you to investigate the cause of the unevenness—it could be due to an issue with the suspension, and the earlier you catch such an issue the better, because you could prevent further harm to take place to other parts of your car. Also regarding the tires, they should be rotated every so often, particularly before a long drive; this will help you get the longest life out of those expensive tires.

Follow the manufacturer maintenance schedule

As mentioned before, every car has its own maintenance schedule as recommended by the manufacturer; it is always best to follow the maintenance schedule on your vehicle to ensure that you are following the suggested guidelines. Some of these services may include checking the battery life and terminals to make sure the power remains intact and sufficient for years to come. In addition to scheduled services and checking the battery every so often, it is also important to check the functioning of your headlights and brake lights regularly. Not only is this safer for driving in the dark and it can prevent car accidents, but it will save you money in the long run; fix-it tickets are totally avoidable.

Do regular car washes and waxes

Another preventive maintenance that is often overlooked is regular car washes and waxes; this keeps the paint on your car shiny and polished—not only does it look fabulous, but in the future, if you ever decide to sell your car, it will make the car look brand new and hardly used. Taking pride in one’s vehicle is always evident in the paint. Lastly, you should always monitor your gas mileage. When there is a huge dip in fuel economy, this can be a big indicator that something is wrong with the engine. Following most of these 10 suggestions will not only ensure better gas mileage, but it will maintain the value to your vehicle, and extend the life of your vehicle for years to come.