So far, this thread has been a big help:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-overview.html

Im almost at the point where I can start to unbolt the actual trans....but a few questions since I have an 06 and it seems the MC in the thread above is an 03 and Ive already seen some differences.

- There are 2 trans linkages on a plate that attaches to the trans housing. Can I pop those linkages off like shown in the pic or should I just try to remove the entire plate instead? My linkages look like heim joints and look to be a huge PITA to put back on if removed. The plate doesnt look like fun to remove either once you have to reach to the upper section of bolts. Which method is best?

- I see the main bolts that hold the trans to the engine block...but is there one that is hidden in front that can only be accessed by removing the rad fan shroud?


Surprisingly this car is quite easy to work on (so far) and has given me zero problems as far as disassembly. With any luck, the rest of the job will go with ease....then I get rid of this POS

 

Dont everyone respond at once....

Good thing I found the answer to both my questions.....

 

You're getting upset no one replied within 3 hours? Yeash.

 

Who's upset? I found my answers.

For the ones who want to know... it easier to pop off the linkages from the mounted plate rather than remove the plate entirely. I was able to use a pickle fork instead of the fancy BMW/Mini tool as you see in the pics of the thread link I posted.

As for the hidden bolts up front, this helped:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...17&hg=23&fg=15

On a side note however....its funny when a HUGE group like this that a thread doesnt get a response in 3 hours, yet on another forum with not even a quarter of the amount of owners I get responses in minutes. But if you (or anyone else) want to wait 3+ hours for responses to your questions, by all means.... Id just much rather get the **** done in a timely manner myself.

PS - Noticed you were able to make a smartass remark there Justin, but unable to provide answers the questions. Way to help a thread with information for the next person who might have the same questions. Next time, it might be best if you dont post at all if you cant provide helpful information. ::2cents::



Admins can lock this one now.

 

So you insult the MINI and then expect quick answers? Why didn't you just sell it as-is? Goodbye to you, sir.

Val

 

You are kidding me right? "insult the MINI" ?!?!?!

Like im going to hurt its feelings if I call it a POS rather than a great piece of BMW machinery? I can call the stupid thing anything I desire as you can call your vehicle anything you want as well....you dont see me calling you out for it, do you?

Come back to reality Val... its a car, not a human.

Why not sell it as is you ask? Why should I sell it broken when I can fix the thing and ensure that I receive full KBB value rather than take a hit on a car with a broken clutch? I figured that would be common sense. Maybe you enjoy tossing money out the window Val, I dont.

Get over yourselves people and quit blowing things out of proportion. I asked some questions, I found the answers myself. Instead of sitting here provoking me, move onto the other people on here who still need help to their questions.

Anyone else need to get their 2 cents in?

 

Hey Val...

I just went outside and apologized to the MINI for calling it a POS while half of the front end is scattered across my garage.

With a tear in her eye and a sniffle in her nose, she accepted my sincere apology and we are back to being friends.

I have yet to break the news to her that I will be soon taking her for a long ride to the country (i.e. Im gonna get rid of her), but I'm sure she'll understand...we just werent meant for each other. I still love her, but im not IN LOVE with her, ya know?

 

It's a little hard to know where you're coming from, since you didn't say in your first post why you were pulling the trans, and whether the trans was a POS, the clutch was the POS or it was the car in general.....and maybe the tone of your post was a little offputting, maybe that's why you didn't get the responses you were looking for?

You may have had good intentions with your comments, but it's diffiult to tell just from reading a forum post, just be aware of that - sometimes you need to reread what you write - you may be coming across in a way you didn't intend.

Anyway, glad you got it out, what clutch are you going with? How many miles were on the '06 when the clutch went?

Also, a really good description helps when you're asking for advice - your first post didn't even indicate whether you were working with a stick or an auto.

 

Hi Dave

Thanks for the response. Im pulling the trans due to a broken clutch. Some back story is that a few months ago, the clutch slave cylinder had gone bad and that was fixed with a new one as well as a new master cylinder too just to be safe. The car had been fine until the clutch pedal suddenly lost pressure again acting like another bad slave. Assuming it was the slave again, I was ready to install another, but when I moved the car to work on it, I could hear the clutch pack coming apart. Im guessing there was damage to the clutch when changed the slave the first time but it wasnt enough to keep the car from being driven. I am replacing it with a stock setup as I have no intentions on keeping the car now.

I actually really like the Mini (my dad even has one), and after now working on it, I can say that Im very pleased on how easy it is to work on compared to what I thought it was going to be.

As far as the POS part... I think this particular Mini is a POS. I am the second owner on it and ever since Ive gotten it, its gone down hill with speed sensors going bad, airbag sensors going bad, slave cylinder and now a clutch. The car only has 75k on it.


I assumed that when you (everyone) read my first post and having a link to a post with a manual and asking about linkages, I would assume one would realize that I have a manual, not an auto. I thought I was pretty descriptive with my questions with the links and where the location of the bolts to the housing where? You dont need background story to answer those questions? How do I remove, where are they located.....? Seemed simple enough to me...

As far as being offputting in my tone...dont see that either. I even mentioned the thing was easy to work on and giving me zero probs so far. But I guess when someone "insults" the Mini and uses "POS" to describe it, people fly off the handle like Ive committed a felony....which is hilarious, Im sorry to say.....

 

Sucks to hear you've been having all kinds of trouble with your MINI but if it were me, it would be more of an incentive to keep it at this point given how much time and money you've invested to replace the broken parts.

I did read your thread when you initially posted it but as much as I would have loved to answer it, I've only had my MINI for a month and have not had a chance to pull the transmission out. Most people here are very willing to respond when they have the answer but I think it's one of those things where someone that knows just didn't get a chance to see your thread. Good luck with your next car though.

 

I meant MINI in the "Royal" sense, not the disassembled inanimate object in the garage. I'm sure hoping you knew that already, otherwise I feel real sorry for that particular car and whoever buys it.

Val

 

 

LOL, ok...we'll continue this even though it has NOTHING to do with the original topic just because it seems I am pushing your buttons because of an opinion I have on my own car and it's quite funny at this point.

If you should so kindly read above, I mentioned that I happen to like the car, but I consider MY car a POS due to the problems it has given me. At only 75k I feel this thing is falling apart faster than any other vehicle I have ever owned which to me is unsettling since I take particular good care of my vehicles more so than the average owner.

Again Val, come back to reality. Not every single MINI that rolls off the assembly line has the kiss of perfection and is problem free....just like many other vehicle brands there is the occasional car that turns out to be a lemon with factory defects. "Royal" sense my a$$. Did the queen herself knight every MINI off the assembly line? I sure the hell dont see the ***Queen's Award for Enterprise decal placed on these cars. BTW, BMW bought out the Rover Group in 94 which owned the british line of Austin/Morris/Land Rover/MG (and BMW still own the rights today), so your label of "Royalty" cant even be applied to these cars since they are basically German owned now....which explains why this car could also never have the Queen's Award either since it is only given to British owned companies. If you honestly think that MINI could never do wrong and is the icon of perfection in engineering and manufacturing (what you are implying with using the word "Royal"), you need to take the time and check out some of the factory recalls and KNOWN issues related to the 1st Gen Mini. Just a quick scan of this very forum of common problems shows fires caused by leaks, airbag sensor issues, motor mount issues (at 30k!), power steering fan issues.....should I go on? If the MINI is so "Royal" as you put it, why do you have a whole thread dedicated to Stock Problems/Issues?

You probably are the type of person who is scared to get a bit of dirt under their nails and take your MINI somewhere to get any maintenance done because you either: a) dont know how to work on a vehicle b) think you are too good to actually do the work yourself.

I do agree with you on one thing however. I feel sorry for the next owner who gets this thing too. If it gives them the same continued maintenance history as its done for me, they wont enjoy the car either. Do I hope that happens? Absolutely not, having nonstop car problems sucks. More than likely it will be traded in at a dealership who will in turn overprice it on their lot and sell it to the next poor soul with a wave and a grin. At that point, it wont be my problem so I could care less of its future and I wont have to read responses on how I "insult" the name of MINI

Val, do me and the rest of the people who stumble into this thread a favor and be a pal and find some other post to contribute some information to since you arent helping this one by posting anything relevant to the topic of trans removal (which Im guessing you have not a clue about in the first place).

*** To educate those who have no idea what the Queens Award for Enterprise is:
The Queen's Award for Enterprise is the highest honour that can be bestowed upon a British company and is the UK's top award for business performance. The award is given annually by Her Majesty The Queen and the winning companies hold it for five years. Her Majesty The Queen makes the Awards on the advice of the Prime Minister, who is assisted by an Advisory Committee that includes representatives of Government, industry and commerce, and the trade unions. They are announced on 21 April, The Queen's personal birthday.


Again, admins... please lock this thread. This has gone absolutely NOWHERE.