Hello mini fam,

I am looking for someone to help me replace my clutch on by 07 s. I just started to work my cars and feel this is too big for me to do. I am in Montogomery County PA.

The clutch is completely worn. Car does not move. No check engine light.

thanks,

 

Best suggestion. Buy a good manual. Look at videos. Smartest way is to drop engine out bottom as a unit. in this order:

-remove entire exhaust system
-unbolt u joint from steering shaft at floor inside.
- unplug large connectors on steering rack.
-disconnect battery and feed all wires out firewall and throw over engine
-disconnect heater hoses at fire wall-there are two
-disconnect gas line, return line and vapor line between engine and firewall
- disconnect allectrical connectors at engine computer
- disconnect radiator hoses
- disconnect and remove airbox and intake hoses
-remove wheels
-disconnect ball joint to suspension upright
-disconnect sway bar end links
disconnect control arm ball joint from suspension
disconnect lower engine mount on subframe to engine
unbolt large bolts on subframe from body and remove subframe
remove subframe and steering rack. and lower suspension

at this point the engine is hanging by two mounts. Make sure all other connections are removed. I would suggest using a rental engine hoist and remove it. If you can drop it and remove from floor. Once that is done, split the transmission from the engine. I found trying to remove the transmission from the engine in the car is way more work than this process. The entire job should take about 15 hours

 

I did the clutch myself without removing the engine. It was a job and a half, and I'm confident with a wrench. I used a variety of resources including a NAM post on the subject, Pelican Parts' write up on the job (primary resource), and a recent video Eric the Car Guy did on replacing a Mini clutch. You will at the very least need a torque wrench, full socket set, full crescent wrench set, an E-Torx socket set, a Torx Socket set, a couple of specific hex sockets, a hydraulic jack, jack stands, and a transmission jack. A battery powered impact wrench is also extremely useful for wheels, subframe bolts, and in my case I also used it on the flywheel bolts for the final 90 degrees of torque spec. I had everything except the transmission jack and that I bought at Harbor Freight for $100, and it wound up being just good enough for the job but I imagine it would be easier with an engine hoist from the top. If I had to estimate my total time (because I did other things at the time too) it was about 17 hours total. But I think I could do it quicker if I did it again, for instance an hour of that was just trying to mate the transmission back up with the engine.

In the end it's really all just nuts and bolts, and knowing which ones to take apart in what order. Know that unless you're willing to work more then sun up to sun down it's more than likely at least a two day job.

 

Thanks Sstrickstein

I'll keep this in mind if I decide to do the job.

 

Thanks thebombardier

​​​looks and sounds intimating. exploring options. thanks for the help.