R56 MINI Cooper S Front Strut Replacement DIY (2006-2013 MINI Cooper, S, John Cooper Works)

►The MINI Cooper uses a MacPherson strut to control the front suspension's damping. Over time, the strut will lose effectiveness, giving the front end and bouncy, clunky, and vague feel. When that happens, replacing your MINI R56 front struts will revitalize the front end and put some control back in your suspension.
Replacing your MINI's front struts is a relatively straightforward task. It only takes a few hand tools, patience, and this video's help to complete the job quickly and correctly.
In this video, FCP Euro's Professional DIY'er, Mike Hidalgo, tackles a front strut replacement on an R56 MINI Cooper S.
00:00 - Intro
02:00 - Tools Needed
03:10 - Job Start/Wheel Removal
03:28 - Front Strut Removal
07:27 - New Front Strut Assembly
13:18 - Installing New Front Strut
17:25 - Wrap-Up
Buy Parts Used Here -
Strut Mount Kit: www.fcpeuro.com/products/mini...
Front Strut: www.fcpeuro.com/products/mini...
Mini Cooper
2007 Mini Cooper Suspension Strut Assembly
Body: Hatchback, Position: Front Left
2008 Mini Cooper Suspension Strut Assembly
Body: Hatchback, Position: Front Left
2009 Mini Cooper S 1.6L L4 Suspension Strut Assembly
Body: Hatchback, Position: Front Left
2009 Mini Cooper Base 1.6L L4 Suspension Strut Assembly
Body: Hatchback, Position: Front Left
2009 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works 1.6L L4 Suspension Strut Assembly
Body: Hatchback, Position: Front Left
2010 Mini Cooper S 1.6L L4 Suspension Strut Assembly
Body: Hatchback, Position: Front Left
2010 Mini Cooper Base 1.6L L4 Suspension Strut Assembly
Body: Hatchback, Position: Front Left
2010 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works 1.6L L4 Suspension Strut Assembly
Body: Hatchback, Position: Front Left
2011 Mini Cooper S 1.6L L4 Suspension Strut Assembly
Body: Hatchback, Position: Front Left
2011 Mini Cooper Base 1.6L L4 Suspension Strut Assembly
Body: Hatchback, Position: Front Left
2011 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works 1.6L L4 Suspension Strut Assembly
Body: Hatchback, Position: Front Left
2012 Mini Cooper Suspension Strut Assembly
Body: Hatchback, Position: Front Left
2013 Mini Cooper S 1.6L L4 Suspension Strut Assembly
Body: Hatchback, Position: Front Left
2013 Mini Cooper Base 1.6L L4 Suspension Strut Assembly
Body: Hatchback, Position: Front Left
2013 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works 1.6L L4 Suspension Strut Assembly
Body: Hatchback, Position: Front Left
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[@jimgia]

Hi Mike! Thanks for your video, it's been 12 years since I last changed springs / removed and reinstalled the front strut assemblies on my Gen 2 2012 R57 and earlier Mini Gen 1, and I looked up found your video to remind me that 1). I need to remove the front sway bar linkage, and 2). I need to remove the bottom of the front struts first, from the hub carrier, before unbolting the struts' top mounting plates.
Just to let people (do it yourself owners like me) - know they really don't need any special tools like the Pass Through Socket Set (great for full-time mechanics) to remove the Sway Bar Linkage, or the Spreader Tool for the knuckle clamps to loosen the bottom of the struts from the hubs. 1). The backside of the Sway Bar link bolts have machined flats that can take a 17mm open end wrench, to hold the linkage bolts to keep them from spinning while the nuts are loosened. So no need for an open-end socket to insert a hex wrench in there to hold it. 2). And the bottom strut clamp on the Hub Carrier can be opened up with a medium side flat heat screwdriver hammered into the clamp. And spraying some penatrating oil in the strut / hub carrier clamp will help it slide out more easily.
I've been running H&R lowered Sport Springs on first my Gen 1 Mini, and then on my current Gen 2 to make it look and handle so much better. But I made a big mistake in retrospect, in ordering the original Mini HD Sport Suspension with my Gen 2 Mini back in 2012. I assume this is what came on the John Cooper Works option? Either way, it kept the stock ride height and increased the spring rate and added much stiffer shock damping and it handled horrible on the street - way too stiff and bone jaring, and the car sat way too tall in ride hight for good cornering.
So I immediately installedwhen it was new, the H&R lowered sport springs and it handled and cornered much better, but the OEM Mini HD shocks / struts still rode terrible and are too harsh on public roads. I hated it! Then I drove a buddy's Gen 2 Mini that was set up for Autocross with H&R Springs and Bilstein Sport shocks and it handeled and rode so much better. So I went and ordered for my car new Bilstein Stage 3, B12 Pro Kit "Nurburgring" Shocks and Struts. These are shorter units with less travel to compliment the shorter H&R springs, with much larger diameter strut shafts for the demands of racing. The damping is firm as you would expect for a racing shock, but these Bilsteins still ride much smoother and are more complient, and with much better car control than the OEM Mini HD and Standard Struts & Shocks. I highly recommed switching to Bilsteins Stage 1 Street, Stage 2 Sport, and Stage 3 Sport & Track for any Mini shock and strut replacement. And the Bilsteins are not that expensive. You can get a set of 4 under $1000. And get the H&R lowered Sport Srings as well for better handling and looks. I buy my suspenison and Brake components from Tire Rack, who has among the best prices and fastest delivery. Enjoy the improved ride!

[@Joe_kickass25]

Let's go Mini gang 😂

[@michaelvanna8982]

Thanks cool Mike❤❤☕🤩

[@LucioNapolitano-mb5wm]

Can you do a video showing how to replace anti roll bar D bushes?

[@adrianloo3986]

Nice video, for F56 with EDS, is it similar process? Possible to show how to remove the EDS connectors on the top of the strut tower?

[@frankz1758]

👍👍👍

[@jamesgarage4327]

It’s a lot easier to just put the strut in the base hole by the wheel bearing followed by alignment of the top three holes.

[@xxxnobodyxxx64]

Why not just buy the whole assembly

[@spannersautoandcomputerser1649]

Quality is why

[@CCROSS5882]

Nice clear and concise, you mentioned adjust ride height, can you elaborate on that a little?

[@jimgia]

There is no ride height adjustment with the OEM springs or struts / shocks. You will want to get H&R perfromance lowering springs. Just Google them. I buy mine from Tire Rack. Higher end replacement racing Strut / Shocks will offer threaded adjustable spring perches for lowering the ride height and adjusting the handling setup of the car.