Hey all,


Been a long time posting, but figured I would ask the collective knowledge of my fellow Mini owners.


My alternator died on my '09 Clubman JCW (R55) last week. After getting it home, I started breaking the car down and getting the front end into service mode.


However, I have all of the bolts, hoses, etc disconnected per both various videos, online how-to instructions, and service manuals but I cannot get the assembly to slide forward. I have tried beating it a dead-blow hammer, prying, pulling, cussing and no luck. I even went as far using a bottle jack to press the assembly outwards, but again, no luck.


Anyone else have a similar problem?

 

I tried doing the same on my 08 MCS and I couldn't move it no matter what I did. There was so much rust at the subframe where you pull, significant chunks of metal were falling off when I unscrewed the huge subframe bolts. I decided to do everything without putting it in service mode. I was able to complete all the services - turbo oil line and return line replacement, oil filter housing gasket, DP replacement and intercooler install - without service mode.

 

same problem

just let it sit for overnight

 

there are few "hidden" tabs and screws that you need to remove. where does it seem stuck? sides? there is a 10mm and a 25 torx holding the radiator support and the bumper, respectively. Also, the headlight participate in holding the nose as well.

 

There might be a bolt that wasn't removed. Might wanna re-check that. When this happened to me, I went to the front end and dead-lifted it then pulled it out. It almost came completely off lol.

 

You should be able to take the upper support that the headlights bolt to off and have enough room to get the alternator out the top without going into service mode.

You'll need to remove the dipstick tube and a couple other bits, but I've done multiple alternators without service mode.