Drivetrain Girls's Guide to Removing the Bumper, Bumper Carrier, and the Modular Front End
#26
This was a big help
Changed out the radiator this weekend using info from this thread. Done in 3.5 hours and that included a breakfast break and fixing damage from wife hitting a squirrel. Thanks a bunch! Doing it again in two weeks to put in new fan to fix broke low speed. Should be done in under 2 hours this time. To make mention about your dip stick issue. I had good intentions about 2 years ago to make a post about this very problem and never got around to it. I had two dip sticks brake on me and one got stuck. Although not wanting to tear into the car I opted for finding another option. I took a coat hanger, bent the tip into a small U shape and stuck it down the tube. Grabbed the broke piece, kind of like catching a fish, and after a couple tries snagged the broke piece and pulled it out. Laziness breeds invention or something like that.
#29
The pins support the MFE as you slide it away from the body. You don't need the OEM pins. I just used the longest I could find at the hardware store. IIRC they were 80 or 90mm vs the OEM 100mm. Worked fine.
#31
Yea though I walk with a lack of MINI knowledge, I shall fear no MINI, for this forum and Gerldoc's write-up (sticky) art with me!
I have been doing a LOT of reading on this forum. Thanks for breaking this removal process down to it's lowest common denominator. If and when needed I'm now ready to tear into the front end confidently because of your very simplistic write-up.
Great job! ...........and again, "Thank you".
I have been doing a LOT of reading on this forum. Thanks for breaking this removal process down to it's lowest common denominator. If and when needed I'm now ready to tear into the front end confidently because of your very simplistic write-up.
Great job! ...........and again, "Thank you".
#32
#33
I'm still herem and thanks for all the nice comments!
This woman has mechanical ability's way beyond the average MINI enthusiast. She contributed enormous amounts of time and knowledge to this forum. I am sorry that it appears she is no longer present for what ever reason. That being said, this needs to be moved to the How To Forum.
Seriously
Seriously
Guess what? I'm baaaaack...
I really just got absorbed in work, and for a long time, drove my other car (2006 BMW 330xi). Now with the summer coming, I'm back to driving "Mrs. Peel". And, after 2+ years, I am finally reading all of the nice posts about my writeups! What a nice surprise - thank you all!
But, you all should know, I don't have any special mechanical ability - really... I am a 50-plus year old woman who likes to figure out things and if feasible, do them by myself. I am a doc, and like puzzles and challenges, true - but this is something anyone with the tools can do.
Just be confident, take your time, take it step-by-step, and all should be fine.
Believe me when I say that if I can do it, anyone can do it!
I am just so pleased that the time I put into the writeup has been helpful to so many other Mini owners out there... this is very helpful feedback, since I strove to make the write-up as simplistic as possible...
Happy Motoring and Cheers
Melanie
#34
Guess what? I'm baaaaack...
I really just got absorbed in work, and for a long time, drove my other car (2006 BMW 330xi). Now with the summer coming, I'm back to driving "Mrs. Peel". And, after 2+ years, I am finally reading all of the nice posts about my writeups! What a nice surprise - thank you all!
But, you all should know, I don't have any special mechanical ability - really... I am a 50-plus year old woman who likes to figure out things and if feasible, do them by myself. I am a doc, and like puzzles and challenges, true - but this is something anyone with the tools can do.
Just be confident, take your time, take it step-by-step, and all should be fine.
Believe me when I say that if I can do it, anyone can do it!
I am just so pleased that the time I put into the writeup has been helpful to so many other Mini owners out there... this is very helpful feedback, since I strove to make the write-up as simplistic as possible...
Happy Motoring and Cheers
Melanie
I really just got absorbed in work, and for a long time, drove my other car (2006 BMW 330xi). Now with the summer coming, I'm back to driving "Mrs. Peel". And, after 2+ years, I am finally reading all of the nice posts about my writeups! What a nice surprise - thank you all!
But, you all should know, I don't have any special mechanical ability - really... I am a 50-plus year old woman who likes to figure out things and if feasible, do them by myself. I am a doc, and like puzzles and challenges, true - but this is something anyone with the tools can do.
Just be confident, take your time, take it step-by-step, and all should be fine.
Believe me when I say that if I can do it, anyone can do it!
I am just so pleased that the time I put into the writeup has been helpful to so many other Mini owners out there... this is very helpful feedback, since I strove to make the write-up as simplistic as possible...
Happy Motoring and Cheers
Melanie
#35
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: San Diego County, California
Posts: 1,007
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Guess what? I'm baaaaack...
I really just got absorbed in work, and for a long time, drove my other car (2006 BMW 330xi). Now with the summer coming, I'm back to driving "Mrs. Peel". And, after 2+ years, I am finally reading all of the nice posts about my writeups! What a nice surprise - thank you all!
But, you all should know, I don't have any special mechanical ability - really... I am a 50-plus year old woman who likes to figure out things and if feasible, do them by myself. I am a doc, and like puzzles and challenges, true - but this is something anyone with the tools can do.
Just be confident, take your time, take it step-by-step, and all should be fine.
Believe me when I say that if I can do it, anyone can do it!
I am just so pleased that the time I put into the writeup has been helpful to so many other Mini owners out there... this is very helpful feedback, since I strove to make the write-up as simplistic as possible...
Happy Motoring and Cheers
Melanie
I really just got absorbed in work, and for a long time, drove my other car (2006 BMW 330xi). Now with the summer coming, I'm back to driving "Mrs. Peel". And, after 2+ years, I am finally reading all of the nice posts about my writeups! What a nice surprise - thank you all!
But, you all should know, I don't have any special mechanical ability - really... I am a 50-plus year old woman who likes to figure out things and if feasible, do them by myself. I am a doc, and like puzzles and challenges, true - but this is something anyone with the tools can do.
Just be confident, take your time, take it step-by-step, and all should be fine.
Believe me when I say that if I can do it, anyone can do it!
I am just so pleased that the time I put into the writeup has been helpful to so many other Mini owners out there... this is very helpful feedback, since I strove to make the write-up as simplistic as possible...
Happy Motoring and Cheers
Melanie
#37
#38
Thanks for this and the coolant flushing guide. I'm in the process of putting everything back together after the fan replacement.
Can someone post the torque specs for the bolts on the bumper carrier? I don't have the Bentley manual and since this is what the tow hook screws into, it seems pretty important to get the torque right
Can someone post the torque specs for the bolts on the bumper carrier? I don't have the Bentley manual and since this is what the tow hook screws into, it seems pretty important to get the torque right
#39
Gusting, these are the specs for the R53. If you need more, let me know; but this is everything from the Front Bumper/bumper cover/bumper carrier/MFE sections of the Bentley manual.
Front bumper cover position
Front bumper cover to engine hood gap = 6 +/- mm (0.24 +/- 0.04 in)
Tightening torques
Engine splash shield to front bumper cover and MFE (M6 x 16mm) = 6 Nm (53 in-lb)
Front bumper adjuster to bumper (M6 x 20mm) = 6 Nm (53 in-lb)
Front bumper cover to MFE (M6 x 16mm) = 5 Nm (44 in-lb)
Front bumper carrier to frame or to crush tube (M8) = 22 Nm (16 ft-lb)
Crush tube to front subframe (M12 x 1.5 X 85mm) = 100 Nm (74 ft-lb)
Crush tube to MFE (M6) = 5 Nm (44 in-lb)
Engine splash shield to front bumper cover and MFE (M6 x 16mm) = 6 Nm (53 in-lb)
Front bumper carrier to frame or to crush tube (M8) = 22 Nm (16 ft-lb)
Transmission fluid cooler to radiator = 4 Nm (35 in-lb)
/t
Front bumper cover position
Front bumper cover to engine hood gap = 6 +/- mm (0.24 +/- 0.04 in)
Tightening torques
Engine splash shield to front bumper cover and MFE (M6 x 16mm) = 6 Nm (53 in-lb)
Front bumper adjuster to bumper (M6 x 20mm) = 6 Nm (53 in-lb)
Front bumper cover to MFE (M6 x 16mm) = 5 Nm (44 in-lb)
Front bumper carrier to frame or to crush tube (M8) = 22 Nm (16 ft-lb)
Crush tube to front subframe (M12 x 1.5 X 85mm) = 100 Nm (74 ft-lb)
Crush tube to MFE (M6) = 5 Nm (44 in-lb)
Engine splash shield to front bumper cover and MFE (M6 x 16mm) = 6 Nm (53 in-lb)
Front bumper carrier to frame or to crush tube (M8) = 22 Nm (16 ft-lb)
Transmission fluid cooler to radiator = 4 Nm (35 in-lb)
/t
#40
Gusting, these are the specs for the R53. If you need more, let me know; but this is everything from the Front Bumper/bumper cover/bumper carrier/MFE sections of the Bentley manual.
Front bumper cover position
Front bumper cover to engine hood gap = 6 +/- mm (0.24 +/- 0.04 in)
Tightening torques
Engine splash shield to front bumper cover and MFE (M6 x 16mm) = 6 Nm (53 in-lb)
Front bumper adjuster to bumper (M6 x 20mm) = 6 Nm (53 in-lb)
Front bumper cover to MFE (M6 x 16mm) = 5 Nm (44 in-lb)
Front bumper carrier to frame or to crush tube (M8) = 22 Nm (16 ft-lb)
Crush tube to front subframe (M12 x 1.5 X 85mm) = 100 Nm (74 ft-lb)
Crush tube to MFE (M6) = 5 Nm (44 in-lb)
Engine splash shield to front bumper cover and MFE (M6 x 16mm) = 6 Nm (53 in-lb)
Front bumper carrier to frame or to crush tube (M8) = 22 Nm (16 ft-lb)
Transmission fluid cooler to radiator = 4 Nm (35 in-lb)
/t
Front bumper cover position
Front bumper cover to engine hood gap = 6 +/- mm (0.24 +/- 0.04 in)
Tightening torques
Engine splash shield to front bumper cover and MFE (M6 x 16mm) = 6 Nm (53 in-lb)
Front bumper adjuster to bumper (M6 x 20mm) = 6 Nm (53 in-lb)
Front bumper cover to MFE (M6 x 16mm) = 5 Nm (44 in-lb)
Front bumper carrier to frame or to crush tube (M8) = 22 Nm (16 ft-lb)
Crush tube to front subframe (M12 x 1.5 X 85mm) = 100 Nm (74 ft-lb)
Crush tube to MFE (M6) = 5 Nm (44 in-lb)
Engine splash shield to front bumper cover and MFE (M6 x 16mm) = 6 Nm (53 in-lb)
Front bumper carrier to frame or to crush tube (M8) = 22 Nm (16 ft-lb)
Transmission fluid cooler to radiator = 4 Nm (35 in-lb)
/t
#41
Saved Big Bucks!
Wanted to say Thanks!
I just wanted to pass along many THANKS! Using your DIY posts you guys saved me over $1000!
Gerldoc: Service Mode, great write up...gotta love a girl who can handle her spanners! This helped me get to the cooling fan and I know I will use it in the future.
Octaneguy: Brakes, front and back. While I was at it I put SP Performance cross drilled & slotted rotors to go with my EBC red stuff pads. Dealer $1100 I did it for a little over $500
Stevendoll: Cooling fan, what can I say dealer quoted $650 I got the fan at Rock Auto for about $70 your tips made it an easy fix.
Thanks to all!! Dave, Jacksonville,Fl. my motor: 06 HB/B MCS, sport pkg, MSD coil, nology wires, craven strut tower defenders, 15% pulley, SP Performance CD&S rotors, limo tint windows, tinted wind screen...sshhh! adult beverage...always Crown Royal!
I just wanted to pass along many THANKS! Using your DIY posts you guys saved me over $1000!
Gerldoc: Service Mode, great write up...gotta love a girl who can handle her spanners! This helped me get to the cooling fan and I know I will use it in the future.
Octaneguy: Brakes, front and back. While I was at it I put SP Performance cross drilled & slotted rotors to go with my EBC red stuff pads. Dealer $1100 I did it for a little over $500
Stevendoll: Cooling fan, what can I say dealer quoted $650 I got the fan at Rock Auto for about $70 your tips made it an easy fix.
Thanks to all!! Dave, Jacksonville,Fl. my motor: 06 HB/B MCS, sport pkg, MSD coil, nology wires, craven strut tower defenders, 15% pulley, SP Performance CD&S rotors, limo tint windows, tinted wind screen...sshhh! adult beverage...always Crown Royal!
#43
#44
#48
Here you go, waybackmachine to the recue and also Mike @ ECS Tuning.
https://web.archive.org/web/20160719...front-end.html
https://web.archive.org/web/20160719...front-end.html
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Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
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