k-huevo
11-15-2008, 12:43 AM
The MINI has shifter cables rather than direct hard linkage to the gear box. Over time the cables operate less smoothly, in my case some gears required more effort during selection; especially on cold mornings. Almost six years and over 100,000 miles on my MINI.
There are two shifting mechanisms for the R53 variants; one is called condition “A” and the other condition “B”. Unfortunately there is no clear demarcation date for the later "B" build. You must look at the shifter box under the shifter boot or at the cables under the air box. Condition “A” has a white shifter box with three ribs on the top front and the cables have plastic sleeves on each end, condition “B” is grayish, flat slope on the shifer box top, and has metal sleeves on the cable ends; look before ordering.
Put the vehicle on stands, disconnect the battery.
http://www.lonestarminiclub.com/gallery/files/2/0/DSCN1265.JPG
Disconnect the ECU by pulling back on the connector sliders.
http://www.lonestarminiclub.com/gallery/files/2/0/DSCN1266.JPG
http://www.lonestarminiclub.com/gallery/files/2/0/DSCN1267.JPG
Remove air box.
http://www.lonestarminiclub.com/gallery/files/2/0/DSCN1268.JPG
Remove the cat back.
http://www.lonestarminiclub.com/gallery/files/2/0/DSCN1269.JPG
Left front heat shield removed; two 8mm screws & two 10mm body nut fasteners.
http://www.lonestarminiclub.com/gallery/files/2/0/DSCN1270.JPG
Remove middle heat shield covering the shifter box and the shifter box dust cover.
http://www.lonestarminiclub.com/gallery/files/2/0/DSCN1271.JPG
Pop the cable clips off the selector arm & shifter shaft and pull the cable sleeve retainer clips. I’m using the OEM tool, but a screwdriver over another screwdriver serving as a fulcrum or hose clamping pliers used in the same manor, can also do the job.
http://www.lonestarminiclub.com/gallery/files/2/0/DSCN1272.JPG
http://www.lonestarminiclub.com/gallery/files/2/0/DSCN1273.JPG
Pop off the cable clips at the gear box, squeeze the wire retention clips to unfasten, and pry the cable sleeve up & off the bracket.
http://www.lonestarminiclub.com/gallery/files/2/0/DSCN1275.JPG
http://www.lonestarminiclub.com/gallery/files/2/0/DSCN1276.JPG
Pull the old cable from under the vehicle. The new cables have rubber dust boots. Both original cables were rough moving plus had a binding point.
http://www.lonestarminiclub.com/gallery/files/2/0/DSCN1277.JPG
When installing, transfer the wire retainer to the new cable and be sure the wings have connected with their retainer grooves; also be sure the boots haven’t slipped off their collars and are where they’re supposed to be.
http://www.lonestarminiclub.com/gallery/files/2/0/DSCN1278.JPG
http://www.lonestarminiclub.com/gallery/files/2/0/DSCN1279.JPG
Push the cable mounting grommets into their clips in the exhaust channel,
http://www.lonestarminiclub.com/gallery/files/2/0/DSCN1280.JPG
put the sleeve retaining clips back in and press the cable clips back on the shifter and selector ball joints.
There are two shifting mechanisms for the R53 variants; one is called condition “A” and the other condition “B”. Unfortunately there is no clear demarcation date for the later "B" build. You must look at the shifter box under the shifter boot or at the cables under the air box. Condition “A” has a white shifter box with three ribs on the top front and the cables have plastic sleeves on each end, condition “B” is grayish, flat slope on the shifer box top, and has metal sleeves on the cable ends; look before ordering.
Put the vehicle on stands, disconnect the battery.
http://www.lonestarminiclub.com/gallery/files/2/0/DSCN1265.JPG
Disconnect the ECU by pulling back on the connector sliders.
http://www.lonestarminiclub.com/gallery/files/2/0/DSCN1266.JPG
http://www.lonestarminiclub.com/gallery/files/2/0/DSCN1267.JPG
Remove air box.
http://www.lonestarminiclub.com/gallery/files/2/0/DSCN1268.JPG
Remove the cat back.
http://www.lonestarminiclub.com/gallery/files/2/0/DSCN1269.JPG
Left front heat shield removed; two 8mm screws & two 10mm body nut fasteners.
http://www.lonestarminiclub.com/gallery/files/2/0/DSCN1270.JPG
Remove middle heat shield covering the shifter box and the shifter box dust cover.
http://www.lonestarminiclub.com/gallery/files/2/0/DSCN1271.JPG
Pop the cable clips off the selector arm & shifter shaft and pull the cable sleeve retainer clips. I’m using the OEM tool, but a screwdriver over another screwdriver serving as a fulcrum or hose clamping pliers used in the same manor, can also do the job.
http://www.lonestarminiclub.com/gallery/files/2/0/DSCN1272.JPG
http://www.lonestarminiclub.com/gallery/files/2/0/DSCN1273.JPG
Pop off the cable clips at the gear box, squeeze the wire retention clips to unfasten, and pry the cable sleeve up & off the bracket.
http://www.lonestarminiclub.com/gallery/files/2/0/DSCN1275.JPG
http://www.lonestarminiclub.com/gallery/files/2/0/DSCN1276.JPG
Pull the old cable from under the vehicle. The new cables have rubber dust boots. Both original cables were rough moving plus had a binding point.
http://www.lonestarminiclub.com/gallery/files/2/0/DSCN1277.JPG
When installing, transfer the wire retainer to the new cable and be sure the wings have connected with their retainer grooves; also be sure the boots haven’t slipped off their collars and are where they’re supposed to be.
http://www.lonestarminiclub.com/gallery/files/2/0/DSCN1278.JPG
http://www.lonestarminiclub.com/gallery/files/2/0/DSCN1279.JPG
Push the cable mounting grommets into their clips in the exhaust channel,
http://www.lonestarminiclub.com/gallery/files/2/0/DSCN1280.JPG
put the sleeve retaining clips back in and press the cable clips back on the shifter and selector ball joints.