So I was halfway through installing my new coil-overs on my 06 r53 when I realized that I could not get the shock/upper mount off my old front shocks. BMW thought that it was an awesome idea creating a $100 socket/allen wrench combo. Anyway, my car has 40k and I was wondering if I would be better off skipping out on the BMW tool by purchasing new mounts or going a different direction (IE fixed camber plates???)...

I'm not planning on slamming my car or at least just yet, because this is my first time with MINI. I'm looking for a modest drop, say 1.5". My budget is mainly for the street so I'm not looking to break my piggy bank open on just the installation.

Any advice would be nice. Thanks

 

MINIng
There are some good threads on this if you do a search. Their are two easy ways to get thru this. There are some spark plug sockets available that have a place to put a wrench on the out side leaving you the open end where the rachet would go to place the allen wrench. I don't particularly like this method because, unless you have open end wrench adapters for your torque wrench, you will not be able to torque it properly.
The other method is to sacrifice a deep socket and cut a window in it, making it like the BMW tool, with a high speed dremal and cut off wheel.
This is the way I did it and it works great. This method allows you to torque it properly.
Steve

 

Or use an impact wrench - works a treat and it's quick too. They even have them in cordless/drill form now too. Buy one of those instead of the BMW tool and you 'll have a tool you can use on everything, not just your MINI.

IIRC that nut is a nylock, so absolute exact torque when tightening it is not really that important, just make sure it's tight and you're good to go.

 

Just use an impact, that is how we do it.

 

There you go, that's how the pro's do it!

 

+1 for impact wrench. Or in a pinch using the long end of an allen wrench to reach through the socket along with a wrench to hold/turn the socket.

 

Bring the old shock/spring to a shop with the new coilovers and they'll swap 'em for you.

 

Thanks guys. I'm going to go bum off my friends for an impact wrench