With the help of youtube I have just removed the 6 speed transmission from my 2002 R53 to replace it. I am obviously going to replace the clutch and pressure plate. What else should I think about replacing? The flywheel looks just fine. The rear main seal is as dry as a bone, but the guy who did the youtube video recommends replacing it while it is accessible. The mini has about 85k miles. What would you do?

TIA
Bob
PS..

 

I always replace it when doing a clutch. For some reason the Coopers are prone to leaking at the rear main seal, not to mention just about everywhere.... I also replace crank sensor o-ring and oil filter housing seals. Depending on the mileage I may also replace oil pan gasket while I have good access.

 

If your in there might as well do it.

 

Replace anything and everything you have access to while doing this..for sure do the rms..imagine you do all this work and time and 2 weeks later your seal starts to leak .lol then you get to do it all over again .

 

yup, cheap insurance. Not replacing it is like replacing the throw out bearing but not the friction disc and vice versa.

 

[*Cough...BMW...cough*...]

 

Yes, Replace it.

Motor On!

 

I bought a 2002 Mini in 2012...very few issues...gave to my son to take to Knoxville...he told me the tranny quit as he was turning a corner...I towed home to Ohio...found a used tranny...finally found the time to work on it...when I checked the tranny it would seem to shift fine, but would not move...to maker a long story short I removed the tranny...quite the task...bought a used 6-Speed Getrag to replace it...unknown condition but warranted...ordered new cv seals...replaced the rear main seal....messing with the tranny I took out..I turn the input shaft by hand and the out put shafts turn with it...same with the replacement... the clutch shows little signs of wear as does the pressure plate and throw-out bearing...am wondering if the problem is with the slave cylinder...when I disconnected the slave cylinder, fluid ran out of the boot...Question...if the slave cylinder is shot...does the tranny stay in gear or in neutral?

 

Fluid in the slave cylinder boot would indicate an obvious leak time to replace. As far as it causing the transmission to remain in gear or neutral neither would be the case.

 

You're correct...what I meant to ask is whether the clutch would remain disengaged when the slave cylinder fails. That would explain why the car would not move.

 

A faulty clutch slave cylinder would leave the clutch engaged. And if it was that bad you would most definitely feel it in the pedal as there would be little to no resistance when pressing on it.

 

Thanks for the prompt reply....I still can't wrap my head around why the car would not move...obviously the tranny was not engaged. It seemed to shift cleanly and the clutch pedal felt normal...CV's seem fine...no stripped splines anywhere...I don't want to start to reassemble until I am confident the problem is not in the tranny...Is there a way to bench test the tranny other than what I haver already done?

Thanks again for your time and help.

 

I replaced mine when I did the clutch. It's right there after you have the clutch off.....the seal is cheap, might as well replace it. Just be careful and make sure you install the seal right....the last thing you want is to get it all back together, and have the new seal start leaking on you.

 

Hazarding a guess.. I wonder if the differential didn’t break. Only reason I say this and not being totally familiar with the transmission internals is you mentioned this happened while turning. Was there any funny noises from the transmission in gear or not?

 

My son told me he heard what sounded like gears grinding. I assumed the tranny failed. But when I turn the input shaft by hand, all seems smooth. I guess I will take the it apart to inspect. I just can't understand why the tranny would not engage. I have been searching for a video on disassembling the tranny and have found nothing. My service manual is no help.

Thanks,

Bob