The pressure plate bolts are from the stock pressure plate. The ClutchMasters is the first aftermarket flywheel I've used that actually has the same pressure plate thread size as stock! The Fidanza/UUC/RPS all use something bigger for some reason. These bolts don't need much torque, only about 20 Lb/Ft. They are an "E" socket, which is an inverted Torx bit. If I remember correctly it was an E8 size. Buy yourself a little selection of E sockets because the steering rack uses a larger E size too.

I only ran the car on jackstands last night, still haven't driven it because it's raining cats-n-dogs here I'll let you know how the clutch and flywheel drives on the street. On the stands the clutch feels very easy to modulate, and the engine vroOOOMmed, revving much quicker than stock upon startup. There was also no ugly ring gear mesh noise when the starter engaged [yay!]

Ryan

 

Ok that's good to know that the thread size is the same as the stock flywheel! Ahhh the dreaded female torx head. Ok I'll pick up a female torx bit E set then.

I see there are 2 sizes of bolts here in the Bentley Manual for the pressure plate(M8 @ 17 ft-lb and M9 @ 21 ft-lb).

It was sunny and warm here yesterday(70 degrees), which was perfect for me to take part in the MINI Clubman Challenge yesterday!

Today, I'm off to watch some track racing(vintage Minis out dashing around too) in cool overcast conditions. I'll be sending good thoughts for the sun to come out for you so you can break her in Ryan!

Jeremy

 

I'm mostly sure the MCS uses the E8 socket, but I could be wrong because I just take the stick of sockets and stuff on the one that fits to the torque wrench!

Oooh Clubman's [or is it Clubmen?]

Thanks for the good wishes. I look forward to seeing your big install. If you need any help let me know and I'll do what I can!

 

Thanks for offering help Ryan.......I always seem to bump into roadblocks when doing these fun jobs.

Yeash those Clubmans are as fun to dart around the cones as our hatch backs! The R55 Turbo pulls pretty good from low down in 2nd gear too!

Jeremy

 

Yes, it is E8 on an M9.

 

Thanks for confirming Keith!

 

Thanks Keith!

Jeremy

 

Sorry guys, quick question. About to do a brake fluid replacement w/o a pressure bleeder using a one man bleeding kit. After what I have read I am hesitant to bleed the clutch. Seeing that it uses the same reservoir it makes sense to also do the clutch but should I rather only do the brakes and leave "old" (2 years) fluid in the clutch lines? and off topic but related- I have the dreaded clutch squeal on my 2004 MCS when taking off in 1st on cold days. I have done many searches and have not been able to establish if it is the throw-out bearing or the dual mass flywheel. I have read that many owners have had the clutches replaced a few times and the noise keeps coming back (pre & post facelift models). Must I just live with it or does it become worse or does something fail in the end. Only done 33000km's. If I go to the trouble and expense to get the tranny out I want to install the correct hardware to give normal life - I have done over 250000km on a Jetta I once owned without needing a clutch replacement. Thanks, there are really a bunch of experts on here and especially to Keith your DIY's are excellent!

 

you must have a pressure bleeder to do the clutch, and you should have the special tool also. if you do a two man bleed for the brakes, it will work just fine to leave the old fluid in the clutch line.

the noise you hear is the throw out bearing. just wait till it goes and be ready to replace it all.

 

Interesting reading. I've got a flywheel/clutch/LSD coming shortly. I'll be having a shop install all of it, but I'll give 'em a heads up on the slave cylinder/bleeding issue and I won't panic if the starter makes strange noises.

 

funny as i replaced my entire clutch setup and the throw out bearing noise is more present with the chatter which i knew would be there with the lighten flywheel.

i did speak to a trans shop about why my clutch not disengauging intermitten and he said it might be the master is not strong enough to push the pressure plate. but couldnt explain it happening from time to time. im wondering if its a fluid thing as i had redline MTL in there and my friend put reg MINI fluid in with a slip additive as well.

 

Thanks Agokart. I will do just the brakes. It is just strange to me that the clutch squeal is such a common problem on the MCS and that the throw out bearing design has not been changed. Some guys had this noise starting at low milages like 3000 miles. So there is no guarantee that replacing the whole clutch assy will solve the problem for a long run. Some people and BMW techs have attributed the problem to the dual mass flywheel and also replaced the flywheel - which is a horrendeously expensive part! Not impressed, I have driven stick cars all my life, many manufacturers and diff models and the Mini is the first car to have this problem (and the most difficult one to replace the clutch as well). Frustrated! I even read that this problem is affecting gen 2 Mini' also.

 

onasled,
thank you for providing a direct and simple answer to spdfreak's question. Certainly, it saved him a lot of head scratching and will do the same for the rest of us. It probably won't be of any help to people that are not trying to be critical. Shoot, I have saved many thousands of dollars servicing and repairing my motorcycles and autos (clutches, electical, drive shafts, engines, window glass, etc.) and saved many 10's of thousands maintaining my house (roofing, wiring, cement, central air conditioning, plumbing, flooring, windows, etc). I didn't always have prior experience, either. I saved a ton of money, learned something, and have the satisfaction of knowing the work was done right. There are more than 1/2 dozen examples when the "professionals" let me down, screwed something up, or proved incapable.