Hey Everyone,

I did a search for this but couldn't find anything pertaining to an automatic R56. Does anyone know if the procedure to remove an automatic shifter on the R56 is the same as removing the manual shift ****?

Thanks,
Celia

 

I just asked one of the techs, we did one not that long ago, he said it pulls right up like the manual trans one.

 

Correct, just pull with enough force. Just make sure to get your head out of the way. I almost gave myself a black eye.

 

It's really not easy to pull it out. But after changing to the Craven ****, you will love to hold it more.. hehe..

 

Pull. Like really hard. If you have a sunroof, open it first. Watch your teeth.

 

Thanks for the instructions and advice everyone! I really appreciate it. Do you guys know if I need to hold the shift button down on the automatic while I'm pulling?

Thanks again!
Celia

 

rest board on seats then used big 90 degree pry bar claw end under lip of **** with cloth to protect ****. great leverage removed **** EASY! replace **** in correct position then protect with cloth or anything that will do and tap lightly with medium ball peen hammer. you will see it go down enough right away. normal force will not budge it. this method leaves face,teeth,nose,back of head and sunroof intact. pushing the button does not matter.

 

We actually removed it pretty easily using the method that most people referred to - We put the parking brake on, started the car and shifted it into neutral so the shifter is more centered (and easier to pull straight up on), put one leg on either side of the shifter on the floor of the car, open the sunroof so that you can stand up and stick your head out of the sunroof and then just pull straight up. It comes right off pretty easily. This is what we did for the automatic transmission. We did push the button while pulling up on it but you might not have to...

 

Just to second the above post... I was pretty skeptical about pulling out my automatic shifter as there just HAD to be some connection somewhere to allow the mechanical stop to function. Well, I figured I could pay for another if I needed to, so I took the plunge.

Pulling on it from the driver's seat didn't work very well, so I centerlined myself (lifted the armrest and opened the sunroof) and gently applied increasing pressure. I'm a pretty athletic guy - and my **** was a bear to remove! I finally got it off though, and was able to put on my new shift boot.

Never thought that the parts went together like that!

Dave

 

By the way, I should add in here that I have an R53 MINI, and it worked just like the R56 shifter.

 

What are people doing once they have the shift **** removed on the Auto?

 

Well, to be truthful, I looked at it for a while, played with the button to see the cool lock go up and down, then tossed it on the dash while I did my work.

OH...so why did I take it off?

Seriously, I got a really cool four panel red and black shift boot from redlinegoods.com. They don't normally do four panels for automatics, but I begged them and they did it. It looks SWEET.

Dave

 

IS THIS REALLY TRUE TO REMOVE THE SHIFTER?

 

We Have A 2004 Cooper Automatic. I Have Read The Post Of Removal By Just Prying Or Pulling Up With Brute Strength. Is This For Real?

 

so an almost 3 year old thread was opened randomly, i'll add to it, does anyone make aftermarket shift ***** for the automatics?

 

i did it before but now i the little clip has no function, i can just move from P to D without holding on that clip...

something must be broken....

 

I have a 2007 automatic R56 Cooper S. To release the **** I put my fingers on either side of the chrome "Park" release lever and pulled it toward the dash while wiggling. The assembly pulled free as a unit. The chrome lever and black plastic housing (including the pin-lever that releases the Park engagement) slid right out of the shifter.

Then I did the pull technique as described. After reassembly of the shift **** on the shaft, insert the chrome park release assembly back into the shift ****. Flex the chrome lever while doing so to seat the pin-lever into the hole in the Park release shaft. If you do it wrong, the "Park Lock" release will not function. This simply means the vehicle could be accidentally knocked out of park and roll.

Hope this helps

 

can you give me a little more detail on how to put it back? the shift lock isn't working on mine, i just tried again in many way of putting it back, the shift lock still doesn't work.....

 

is there any reason the locking mechanism would not work???? a friend of mine had some work done at the dealer and it came back not working,.....tried complaining, got no where. So i ordered her a new one for christmas but before we install it i would like to make sure the one thats on there is not still usable.....im not really understanding what the person two posts above this one is saying, it sounds like the shift **** is two seperate parts ???????? since i dont have the mini here i cant go really examine and the new **** is not here yet, and if i am not mistaken, the new one comes attached to a long rod that goes to the shift linkage?? ....is this correct?

 

You're correct - the AT **** has the **** itself plus the button which is connected to the rod that sticks out of the bottom. Normally the rod reaches down and engages the locking mechanism, and when the button is pushed the rod is pulled upward and unlocks the gear selector.

The easiest thing to check is whether the **** is pushed all the way down onto the stem. Give it a firm whack and see if that pushes the **** into place.

If not, it's fairly easy to take apart the ****/button to see if you can find the problem. How to take it apart depends on which model she has. I think Justas use a BMW ****, so Post #8 instruction 3 from here might help. Instructions for taking apart am MCS **** are here.

PM me if you need any help.

 

I was picturing this as I read this posting and it sounds positively dangerous if you're a guy! I couldn't help but wince. LOL

 

Thanks for the reply kirby.
Do you know if the **** coming from the factory that I ordered will be assembled correctly and that all I need to do is pry off the current one in which the rod comes off with, and then just put the new **** and rod in place and tap it with a mallet? Just getting my eggs in a row here, dont want her to think I don't know what I'm doin LOL.
What is It that the rod attaches to?????? This is so different to me compared to hondas

 

Yep if the **** is where the problem is, you should be able to pry the old one off and pop the new one on. You'll be a superstar!

Picture attached which might help to visualize what you're dealing with. I have no idea how the rod engages the lock mechanism though.

 

awesome, thanks kirby. hopefully it makes more sense when the new **** arrives

 

i tried again, i departed the **** and removed the clip on the top...push the whole thing down, still can move it freely. Then, use a flat screw driver, stick into the hole and give is a little more push, it did lock the selector, but when I put the clip back, it can't unlock...... :( can you take a photo of both when it arrives?

thanks