I would like to thank Kevin for this video tutorial as it saved me the expense of paying someone else to undertake the work. I followed the tutorial to change a clutch on a Mini Cooper R56 2007. It took me two full days to complete the work and admit it had its challenges. The notes below are not intended to discredit the video in any way but to point out my observations and experience to help others up for the challenge. (1) First of all rule No. 1 - disconnect the battery. I did not do this and ended up producing a massive spark. Fortunately, no damage was done. (2) I struggled to knock through the drive shafts from the wheel hubs. This took a lot of whacking with a heavy mallet and perseverance before these knocked through (video timings 8:54 and 10:25). Regarding loosening the hub nuts, this would be easier whilst the wheels are still on the ground to prevent the hub from moving. (3) Loosening the Clutch housing bolts required Torx/star socket sizes E10 and E12. There are two E10 bolts that hold in the starter motor. Although the top bolt is pointed out at timing 10:46, this was missed out in the video and was discovered when I was unable to remove the clutch housing. This bolt is a real challenge to remove but again can be done with a lot of perseverance and without removing the inlet manifold. It was not as time-consuming to put back (timing 39:49). Good luck with this bolt. (4) Once removed, I was unable to move the clutch housing as far apart as shown in the video, but managed to create enough space to replace both the lever and clutch plate. I used a Sachs branded clutch plate. (5) Removing a bracket next to the clutch cable bracket was missed out in the video - shown to the right in timing 19:14. Also this bracket and a cable shown in timing 20:26 were both missed out when putting the car back together. (6) I had some difficulty tightening the wheel hub bolts whilst on the stands (timings 42:30 and 45:02). I waited until the wheels were fitted and dropped to the ground before tightening. (7) Regarding the gearbox oil, I used 1.75 litres of 75W90. The oil quantity removed was measured to confirm the refill quantity (video timing 47:05) Apart from the minor points above, it is doable. I’m no car mechanic but do have the time, the tools and have some experience in fixing minor issues with cars. None of the above can take away the brilliantly filmed step-by-step video produced by Kevin.

Has to be one of the most challenging cars to work on. Hats off to Kevin and his skill to do this on someone's driveway.

I know this is an old video but wanted to comment! I have done many of the older mini clutches, which are similar as you know. But I have never done one without completely removing the gearbox. I never thought about pushing the box into the gap - I do other cars with full subframes like that but never tried it with a mini. Good to see you can do it this way and without removing the coolant and air con gas! Your videos are great to get a few good short cut tips, so thank you! Watching you do some of the clutches on the floor is surprising - I’m smaller build so I have to have help to remove larger gearboxes, and lots of different jacks! Not quite as awesome as yourself! 👍🏼

Thanks Man! This answered a few questions I had moving forward on my car. Taking my time and getting some rust out of the way while I have things out. Thanks again from New England.

It takes a lot of effort to film a complete job like this, repositioning the camera every few seconds and/or minutes especially when it's an outdoor job like this and you just want to get it done. Great video, thanks very much.

Thanks Kevin! I followed your video for the most part but I used an engine hoist to get the tranny back in. My bench press is not what it used to be. Anyhow, it went well, I start the car and the horn goes off. Stupid Mini used the same plug for the two horns and the side light so I flipped it and now all is well. Thanks! I sent you £10 for a beer (a few weeks ago when I decided to take this on). Thanks again mate!

Thanks Kevin and l appreciate that every time I have made a comment you take the time to reply 👍👍

I have been a mechanic for 40 years ,if a get a job on a car i have not done before i look at youtube for a few tims that i would have not thought of This bloke has got it down to a tee

When I saw the title of this video I thought its a mini of with the front end. Never done one myself but can imagine it's quite labour intensive. Great job.

Not the easiest car... A lot of removals. Congratulations for your videos and for your great and hard job. You are very well organized and efficient, even with sometimes the typical British weather :-)! I learn a lot about so many car types. Many thanks for that and the time you spend recording those videos. Cheers from Toulouse, south of France.

The best mechanic in UK !

EXCELLENT TRÈS BON TRAVAIL MÊME PAS BESOIN DE PARLER TOUT EST CLAIR MERCI POUR LA QUALITÉ D'IMAGE

Superb Technician sharing vast knowledge. Thanks for another great video.

Thanks for the vid!!! Lot of good tips saving work that you don't have to do. I'll be doing mine (2008 mini cooper clubman 1.6L) in the spring if it lasts that long.

Ahhh... inspiration to get the one I am looking at. Needs a clutch replacement and I was looking for the motivation to do it in my driveway. Looks like I found it! Nice.

I'm not sure if this makes me want to do the job myself or not 😂. Great to see a clean navigation of the process - thanks! I have all the tools/etc to do it, but when the time comes I can't say I'm looking forward to his many things you have to dig through to start the actual job...

Nice job Kev, I've done this one a few times - they aren't difficult to work on but it really is a lot of faff to get the box out

I’ve subscribed and I’ve been watching your videos and I love them

Very clever: partial removal of front end and leaving the bell to rest on the chassis!

Thank u very much. That’s the best tutorial have I ever seen

Nice job thought the early minis were a pain these are well a pain 😂

Great stuff thanks for sharing

You earn your money, that's one heck of a job just to change a clutch. Some engineers should have to spend a year working in the workshop before they are allowed to design anything! Fair play to you, you show no fear! 👍

carement bien ce que tu fait cest professionnelle !!!

Nice one, thanks. Some great tips there.

I have done it once but end it up taking the whole transmission out. I like your way leaving it hanging on the subframe and having that special pilot bushing tool that screws in tightly. I felt you weren't tightening the bolts enough and for some not using torque wrench lol....

Gotta do mind 2012 s , don’t to bad ! Thanks for video

Impecable!!! Muy buen trabajo!! El Volante de inercia se lo veía mal, no los haces rectificar antes de montar el embrague nuevo?

Kevin, its amazing you can do this work on the fly like that. I just followed your steps and replaced my clutch in my driveway. When I went to drive it I couldn’t go from neutral to reverse. The gears shift fine when the engine is not running. So I replaced the clutch slave cylinder and bleed it numerous ways but I have to get in reverse when it’s not running. I start it up that way and can drive but shifting is tight, it’s like the clutch is not disengagement fully to get a smooth shift. I’m about ready to bring it to a BMW shop. Have you or anyone have this problem after replacing the clutch. Thanks

Great video well done. Going to tackle this myself next week. Can this be done the same way on the Cooper s turbo model ?

Bravissimo

nice video again ,i still need to get that 1/2 to 3/8 extension

Little monster of a car. So much stuff to remove O_O Nice 1 mate :)

Hi Kevin, thanks for posting videos on your channel. I could watch them for ages! The lack of talking and music makes them immersive to watch and I like the way you let your work do the talking. I've got questions if you dont mind?!?! 1) If you did this today would you use your quickjack or still just use axle stands? 2) I cant quite figure out how you drop the subframe and whether it affects the steering rack, dogbone engine mount and the steering column pinch bolt. It looks like you mainly slacken only the gearbox side of the subframe, leaving the steering rack fixed to the subframe and steering column, and the subframe just droops a bit on one side? 3) My partner has a 2010 mini cooper 1.6 petrol. I'll find out if its a dual mass flywheel. If it is, would you always replace with the clutch? Its done 116,000 miles.

Hi Mr. Kevin: Hope everything is o.k. these days. Thanks for your videos and for sharing your knowledge. I Have a 2016 Countryman S All4. Do I follow the same steps, or there is something different? Thanks again.

I did a clutch replacement this way on my 2008 KIA Rio but didn't have to remove any body trim.

another cracking video kevin, same car as my mabel pity your too far away from me here in margate because i would definately be getting you on the case when the time comes!!.

Great video, I was just wondering, does the gearbox wedge up ok or do you hold it in with something?

I also noticed you filled the transmission fluid from the top little fill cap? is that possible? Or it was for something else?

Brilliant work and brilliantly filmed . Where are you based if I need your services.

Great work! Would this method also work for 2012 Mini with N16B16 engine? Also is there difference if the car is left hand drive?

Hello Anyone know if you have too drain the gearbox oil when doing this job? Is it done to reduce the weight of the gearbox when man handling it off the engine and then reinstalling it? Or is it just good practice to replace the the gearbox oil when you fit a new clutch? Great video by the way many thanks for taking the time to make it and share it.

Based on the video, that flywheel was an aftermarket and you just installed Valeo aftermarket pressure plate and disc?

do you also carry around cv boots as I would guess you probably have seen many of them split and do you replace the or advise the customer, just curious about how you work

Hello Kevin, I have a question for you. I have the same car and I replaced the clutch with a luk one. I have a ticking/squeaking noise in neutral and the noise goes away when pedal clutch is pressed just a little bit, same noise when in gear and moving. The noise is fairly loud. What it could be?

Hi K.A.W; which, in your opinion, are the easiest clutches to replace on 'modern' cars? Thanks.

Hi mate cool vid! Got to do a clutch on my 2008 Mini Cooper petrol at some point is the flywheel solid or dual mass?

Any idea how much the transmission weighs when you bench press it off? I'm at that point on a 2010 Cooper. Just a little nervous to be under it.

Think I can answer my own question here just watched another video posted by a guy in the US on how to remove drive shafts. He never drained the gearbox and on removing the first shaft gearbox oil came flowing out. So guess it is a yes to draining the gearbox.

Got a clutch to do on a 03 plate mini one diesel? Any difference between the petrol or diesel when it comes to removing gearbox? Subframe out or just lower it?

Cobweb central, how long has that car been sat doing nothing? What a pig to work on, much nicer vehicle in the background! Very old style release mechanism, looks like the one in my old Capri ! Now there was an easy clutch to do 👍. What do all the bolts way back in the body do?

Hi great video , how long does it take to do this in total normally. Many thanks

is there much diference with doing the diesel as opposed to the petrol ?

Hello, how long does the repair take? Thanks

Top bloke, but don't you just love working on minis.

Can u still put axel stands on the sill and still okay ?

is this method quicker than drop the entire subframe and box?

Hi why did you remove the front end? Is it for space or is it necessary?

Can you tell me why you have 2 sets of stands?

Hello, is it possible without remove the front bumper and all the parts install on it?

Can you please supply a part number for the clutch alignment screw type tool?

This car is punishment!!!!

How long it took you to do?

What's a fair price for an operation like this ?

For a mini cooper s is there much different?

can i reuse the pressure plate bolts?

Having done one on a ramp not a nice job let alone on the floor, as I’ve said before this guy earns his money. Mini or should we say small BMW are awful to work on .

الإفادة

23:04 this bolt i missed, i was very confused XD

How much for do the same job on my home...in Chile 🙄

Référence Valeo number? 826?

Never bought Mini cooper.

Not an easy job !

worst inventoin transverse engine