BMW MINI Cooper fitting new clutch without removing subframe R50 R52

MINI Cooper clutch replacement. How to fit a new clutch kit without having to remove complete subframe.
Parts list
Clutch Guide Tube BMW OEM 23111044105
Borg & Beck 3 piece Clutch Kit HK7794
Gearbox/Transmission Oil 75w/80 GL-4 MTF 4
I've had this Mini sat in my yard for 2 years. After fitting new clutch & overhauled front & rear brakes. I took car for MOT test & PASSED no problem. :)

[@TheMetalliblob]

Great video, really appreciate your excellent guide. Using this I changed my R50 clutch and replaced my damaged Midland gearbox. It was perfect from start to finish. Thanks!

[@PaulsTechChannel]

Great to hear!

[@iainhay2823]

Many thanks for this, after lots of stress with rounded bolts etc I got the clutch out on my mini today using this method👍

[@PaulsTechChannel]

Glad it helped

[@leonstry]

Great video! used this today for a few pointers to switch the clutch out in my R50 with success.

[@PaulsTechChannel]

Glad it helped!

[@jimmer1976]

Got my mrs R50 to do very soon, the clutch is just starting to slip. Thanks for the vid 👍 I can use it as reference as I’ve never done a mini clutch before.

[@PaulsTechChannel]

You're Welcome

[@blackfrost273industries4]

Bruh, the rust level...wow. anyway, is what it is, no hate from me. I appreciate the video. Good stuff. Never heard of that sleeve you replaced. I'll look into that. Trying to do a clutch job without the engine removal seems taxing, but I think I can do the method you did. I found it very helpful. Thank you for your time!

[@alijani6184]

Wooooow big job after seeing this I will call the scrab yard tomorrow

[@stuartdenty3163]

Absolutely brilliant video! Thank you.

[@PaulsTechChannel]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gado6438]

Fantastic, exactly what I needed. Same as mine.

[@PaulsTechChannel]

Glad it helped

[@davidkennett444]

Brilliant video followed every step job done well impressed thank u

[@PaulsTechChannel]

You are very welcome

[@stemartin6671]

Seen a few of those with exploded original thrust bearings!

[@Draxindustries1]

Just replaced the clutch on mine but didn't realise you could do it without removing the subframe which I did. I replaced it with a LUK clutch. 148k miles on the original so can't complain..!

[@EssexSilvering]

Great video, ... I am about to do my girlfriends clutch tomorrow so this video is a great guide, thanks for sharing.

[@PaulsTechChannel]

Glad it was helpful!

[@devlinmaguire8074]

Jeez what a palaver mini cluch change back in the day, 2 hours max including a tea break

[@EpixxRSProductions]

What a fantastic video.

[@PaulsTechChannel]

Many thanks!

[@Megalocade]

Nice work, so much cheaper when you do it yourself, good clutch too, I won't put anything other than a Borg in my motors.

[@PaulsTechChannel]

Thanks 👍

[@snoozer009]

I put the LUK clutches in. Better quality. I wouldn’t say Borg and beck are good quality but for what it is it will still do 80k.

[@Megalocade]

@@snoozer009each to thier own, luk do good dmfs but their slave / release bearings are very hit an miss, we used to get a fair few returns at the motor factors i used to work at due to them leaking or just very noisy granted we used sell a lot, also sold Sach and Borgs very rarely got returns on those brands, i have no problem with fitting luk dmfs they the best but their clutches I would be a bit hesitant if it was my vehicle.

[@dodge_walks]

Great video thanks, got to change out the clutch and gearbox on my wife's R56 next week so good research. Wow that clutch and release bearing were shafted!

[@PaulsTechChannel]

No problem 👍

[@wolfgang6028]

Did you find that also on R56 it can be done without removing the subframe ?

[@jurr1414]

Im replacing the clutch at the moment… very informatieve video… i didnt drop the subframe at all… and it also worked… Maybe for reinstalling the gearbox…

[@MarkYoungIW]

Excellent video, have just followed it through and gearbox is out, also thankyou to jurr for mentioning that you don't need to drop the subframe at all. Came out for me without touching the subframe, just a bit of a wiggle. Non AC model if that makes a difference. Same W10 engine and Midlands box. Thank you for this video, made life much easier.

[@MarkYoungIW]

Just to confirm the gearbox went back in fine without dropping the subframe at all too. Very pleased, car is working fine.

[@aazt5792]

super great job thank for the tutorial and i loved you work keep posting mini's video please

[@PaulsTechChannel]

Thank you, I will

[@rockyravine1155]

Williams Mobile Clutch Service does it without removing the radiator; just pulls assembly forward a bit.

[@andreolson5982]

Well done

[@joolzhud]

Great video thankyou

[@PaulsTechChannel]

Very welcome

[@wmn682]

Great video! You saved me lots of time. It's funny that the title mentions fitting the clutch without removing the subframe. You may as well have, everything else has to be removed.

[@prototype9000]

Ive seen it where people only removed on tire and one side of the car

[@janostallas4541]

Thank You..👍😎

[@PaulsTechChannel]

No problem 👍

[@carliernicolas2417]

Hello for the 1.6 90cv?

[@martinburbridge7545]

when you did this was your mini stuck in gear as one I've just brought is and I'm got clutch kit as it came with car but I think it has gearbox issues too

[@PaulsTechChannel]

I could not select any gear whilst engine was running. After fitting new clutch kit everything work fine & all gears where perfect.

[@martinburbridge7545]

ok I think I'm going to get clutch changed and see what gearbox is doing as if it does select gears I will have one of cheapest mini coopers in the UK with it being 12 mot and clutch kit was included with car

[@vladgradinariu30]

Hi Paul, a quick question for you... Did you drain the gearbox, replaced the clutch kit then proceeded with refilling the gearbox? Thanks!

[@PaulsTechChannel]

Yes drain gearbox 1st at start of job , Then refill once completed

[@Seaanooox]

Hi, a friend of mine has just followed the instructions in this video BUT unable to get the car into a gear when vehicle is running. Any ideas on what this could be? Thanks!😊

[@PaulsTechChannel]

Make sure clutch slave cylinder is fitted & operating correctly.

[@wizzywilson]

My god these old minis rust something rotten..! I've covered mine in lanoguard so hopefully it'll keep the rust at bay

[@PaulsTechChannel]

Yes unfortunately they do rust.

[@leehedger5056]

Hi, did you need to remove the power steering motor to get to the rear parts ? Thankyou

[@PaulsTechChannel]

No, No need to remove power steering pump :)

[@beauellerson8668]

Is there a parts and tos list for ur video? If not, u should consider adding one to ur description.

[@PaulsTechChannel]

Parts list added to description.

[@TheMontygrant]

Hi. Great video. Thanks. Do you just have to remove the near side drive shaft or both? Thanks

[@PaulsTechChannel]

Yes both drive shafts have to be removed

[@tomkinsella3719]

Hi which subframe bolts did you leave in? I assume just two on the engine side? Or leave them all in on engine side but slack them off as much as possible

[@PaulsTechChannel]

I slackened off subframe bolts on Offside (UK Drivers side) and removed all bolts on near side (UK Passenger side)

[@kamilwojcicki.3796]

Will You be able to drop off OEM number for clutch guide tube? thanks

[@PaulsTechChannel]

BMW OEM number 23111044105

[@alessio6280]

Hello, quick question from italy. Did you also bleed the oil of the clutch pump? Isn’t there something that connects the DOT 4 oil to the gearbox? Or is the gear oil the only oil that you need to bleed and replace? Thank you!

[@PaulsTechChannel]

Yes gearbox oil was drained and replace with new oil. I removed Clutch slave cylinder from gearbox and move it to one side. There for, no need to bleed clutch.

[@jasonsargeant6483]

Looks a bit daunting to me, is it easier to remove the subframe and just accept itll take longer.

[@chrisfoliaki8153]

what you use to clean the fly wheel the the gear box? this video I can follow can I do my own to change my clutch disc mine was R52 was replace the master clutch and still hard and mechanics tell to change the clutch disc that why the master clutch broken because of the clutch disc

[@PaulsTechChannel]

I used brake and clutch cleaner

[@aftabazad371]

Hi there Great video in detail Do you have to remove both of the starter motor bolts Thanks

[@PaulsTechChannel]

Yes remove both bolts

[@aftabazad371]

Thanks 🙂

[@aftabazad371]

Thank you Last question Do I have to disconnect the steering rack from the subframe to remove the gearbox

[@snoozer009]

@@aftabazad371 no

[@donlorinsharp]

I've taken all the bolts off my gear box, but it won't budge. It's like it is welded together. Any ideas?

[@PaulsTechChannel]

Double check all bolts have been removed. including location of starter motor. It should pull away easily.

[@christophergooden2873]

Is it possible to do this trick on the r53 (S model)?

[@shanemulder3505]

You ever found out if you can or not?

[@christianhalsall3668]

Does this video also apply to the facelifted R50 without the midlands box?

[@PaulsTechChannel]

Yes I've done it no problem

[@pretzelmeister3836]

​@@PaulsTechChannel Hi. I have a 2007 Mini One with the Getrag 5 speed box. Will this approach work for that also?

[@kafesukindness8672]

Please help I have a mini cooper R50 2002 model, i cant get reverse gear ,whenever I try to engage into reverse gear ts like im hitting a wall , tried changing shift linkages but no luck.

[@PaulsTechChannel]

Fault is gearbox itself. Common problem with Midland gearboxes fitted to early Mini's

[@kafesukindness8672]

@@PaulsTechChannel thanks for your reply , is this problem fixable??

[@edschofi]

Hi Paul, do you need any special tools for removing/aligning the driveshafts and clutch etc. great video i'm just at the point of removing the driveshafts.

[@edschofi]

another questions Paul - so my gearbox doesnt select any gear, it will go into reverse but the drive only moves about an 1inch. would you say its just the clutch or could it be the slave cylinder

[@PaulsTechChannel]

Clutch alignment tool required for clutch, No special tools require for driveshafts.

[@gsoup7850]

Do you think this is any easier / quicker than just taking the subframe out? Regassing a/c etc. etc.

[@PaulsTechChannel]

It's alot quicker doing it this way, it give you more access to gearbox.. Considering steering rack, powers steering pump, anti roll bar and front crash bar is all bolted to subframe.

[@JoshTHankins]

I'm about to change my clutch. You might not know this, but does a LHD steering box/linkage get in the way if I don't remove the subframe?

[@masonshear9139]

Did you figure this out? I'm about to do the same

[@JoshTHankins]

@@masonshear9139 no, I was told by a bunch of people in the mini community that is possible, but it’s a heck of a lot easier to drop the whole subframe. I’ll find out in 2 weeks.

[@masonshear9139]

@@JoshTHankins I just got my transmission out. I didn't touch the subframe and it came out easily. I did have to remove the AC compressor from the block and move the lines out of the way. then I just slid the tranmission over and out the front

[@hipoman8087]

R53 that easy ?

[@bentos117]

Did you support engine somehow as well?

[@PaulsTechChannel]

Yes. a few blocks were used to support engine

[@andrewjunk687]

ah. not so easy on US vehicles. Steering wheel being on the left side of the car makes it a bit more difficult

[@erykkuld7139]

You didn't replace the flywheel? i am having the same issue i think with our mini cooper 2002 1.6l, do you recommend a new flywheel? car has done 123000 miles do you still have the car? if so how many miles is it on now?

[@PaulsTechChannel]

Clean and inspect flywheel for any damage. Mine had no damage so didn't need to replace it.

[@erykkuld7139]

@@PaulsTechChannel Alrighty, and how long did that car last? is it still rocking? Just found out the 5-speeds are quite weak transmissions

[@PaulsTechChannel]

@@erykkuld7139 Yes still running perfectly, done more then 10,000 miles so far since new clutch.

[@richardwatson5719]

Did u unhook steering rod

[@PaulsTechChannel]

No, left steering column in place

[@pedridemperi9872]

Its mad the way we dont have 'drop in' clutch plates that are like replaceable cartridges and lock into place thtough a gearbox window in this day and age. What a load of nonsense to go through to replace a wearable part. The industry has done nothing to change things for decades.

[@roderickarnold760]

Very good thanks

[@PaulsTechChannel]

Most welcome

[@snoozer009]

Instead of replacing the callipers. It’s cheaper to buy the calliper rebuild kits. £30 to do both sides.

[@Ben_dillon]

How long did this take to do?

[@PaulsTechChannel]

It took me 2.5 hours

[@Ben_dillon]

@@PaulsTechChannel I’m sat here 2 days into it and I’ve only got the clutch out 😂🤣

[@dimos5422]

How many miles should I expect out of a clutch?

[@PaulsTechChannel]

It depends on driving style.

[@ricardocuellar5995]

🤣😂😅😆😆😅🤣 asi no compa desmantelaron el carro nomas para camvier el clotch 😆😆😅🤣😂 no era necesario acer todo ese terremoto y desmantelamiento que varvaro jijiji😅🤣😂😂😆😅🤣

[@brent3569]

Your mini is made of 50% Rust

[@PaulsTechChannel]

Yes, looked rusty, but only surface rust. Cleaned with ease off and treated. Mini passed MOT with no problem as still on the road today :)

[@Soopa_Coopa_S]

This is a stupid method... so much extra work just avoiding taking out a subframe you gotta lower anyway. It’s a 10 minute job and makes life much easier.

[@ig6713]

I just replaced the clutch on my 2003 this past weekend, and it took me three days to get the whole thing back together. First time, but I can’t imagine taking out the subframe in 10 mins. I wish

[@dougiemiller5030]

10 minute job!! How come indie garages charge in the region of £350-400 for the Labour alone on a mini Cooper clutch? Mini needs done and this video is great

[@idribbledonyou]

Obviously you've never tried to drop a sub frame single handed without lift. Your a tool. Great video.