I have replaced shocks on may vehicles but never struts and dont want to f*** up anything.

I jacked my 2004 MINI up, loosened the nuts and lowered the wheel and assumed that it would lower on it own so I could install the lower plate. but of course it didnt. how do I persuade it to lower ?

Thanks.

PS it may me a dumb question, but rather ask the mess something up.

 

The Craven instructions require two people because you don't unbolt the front sway bar.

Look for the instructions for the Mini Madness plates, they recommend undoing the sway bar so that you can drop one side at a time.

I got the Craven Speed plates on without undoing the sway bar, it was difficult and required two people.

Second to last link under R53
http://www.mini-madness.com/html/dealer-resources.html