Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
MINI Hatchback (R50, R53) One, MINI Hatchback (R50, R53) Cooper, MINI Hatchback (R50, R53) Cooper S, MINI Hatchback (R50, R53) One D, MINI Hatchback (R50, R53) Cooper S, MINI Hatchback (R50, R53) One D, MINI Hatchback (R50, R53) One … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change a front shock strut on MINI COOPER 1 (R50, R53) [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

Alternative products

Shock absorber

Replacement: suspension strut – Mini R50, R53. List of the tools you'll need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      Copper grease 
                    
                      Combination spanner #16
                    
                      Combination spanner #18
                    
                      Drive socket # 13 
                    
                      Drive socket # 16 
                    
                      Drive socket # 18 
                    
                      HEX bit No.H6.
                    
                      HEX bit No.H7.
                    
                      XZN socket bit # 14 
                    
                      Shock absorber socket
                    
                      Wheel impact socket #17
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Flat chisel
                    
                      Hammer
                    
                      Tap wrench
                    
                      Crow bar
                    
                      Hydraulic transmission jack
                    
                      Hydraulic strut spring compressor
                    
                      Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: suspension strut – Mini R50, R53. Tip from AUTODOC experts:

Both shock struts of the front suspension should be replaced simultaneously.
The replacement procedure is identical for the left and right shock struts of the front suspension.
All work should be done with the engine stopped.

Replacement: suspension strut – Mini R50, R53. Take the following steps:

Step 1

Secure the wheels with chocks.
Step 2

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 3

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
Step 4

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

Replacement: suspension strut – Mini R50, R53. AUTODOC recommends:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when unscrewing the bolts.
Step 5

Remove the wheel.
Step 6

Clean the fasteners of the shock strut upper mount. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 7

Disconnect the wiring and the brake hose from the bracket on the shock strut.
Step 8

Clean the fasteners connecting the stabiliser link to the shock strut, and those connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 9

Unscrew the nut and remove the stabilizer rod from the shock strut. Use a combination spanner #16. Use HEX No.H6. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 10

Unscrew the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use XZN #14. Use a ratchet wrench. Use a tap wrench.
Step 11

Release the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a special drive socket to remove the shock absorber. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 12

Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 13

Disconnect the steering knuckle from the shock absorber strut. Use a flat metal-working chisel. Use a hammer.

Replacement: suspension strut – Mini R50, R53. Tip:
Make sure that the steering knuckle is not released from load.
Step 14

Unscrew the upper fastening of the shock absorber strut. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the suspension strut while unscrewing the fastening bolts. Mini R50, R53
Step 15

Remove the suspension strut.
Step 16

Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

Replacement: suspension strut – Mini R50, R53. AUTODOC experts recommend:
Note that when using a spring compressor, spring coils need to be securely gripped, compressing the spring on the opposite sides.Ensure the correct position of the spring in the retainer.Make sure that the spring coils tightly entered the lock handles.
Step 17

Compress the spring.
Step 18

Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use HEX No.H7. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 19

Remove the shock strut mount.
Step 20

Release the coil spring.
Step 21

Remove the spring.
Step 22

Remove the old shock absorber from the hydraulic coil spring compressor.

Replacement: suspension strut – Mini R50, R53. Tip from AUTODOC:
Τhoroughly examine the shock absorber mount, dust boot, bump stop. Replace them if necessary.Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 23

Install the new shock absorber on the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
Step 24

Install the dust sleeve and the bump stop on the new shock absorber.
Step 25

Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 26

Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing. Use a crowbar.
Step 27

Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #18. Use a combination spanner #18. Use HEX No.H7. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 64 Nm torque.

Replacement: suspension strut – Mini R50, R53. Professionals recommend:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 28

Decompress the spring.
Step 29

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 30

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 31

Secure the upper fasteners of the shock strut (3 pieces). Do not tighten it.

AUTODOC recommends:
Mini R50, R53 – To avoid injury, hold the suspension strut while screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 32

Treat the shock strut mounting seat on the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 33

Fix the shock absorber strut on the steering knuckle.
Step 34

Install and tighten a new bolt of the steering knuckle. Use XZN #14. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 81 Nm torque.
Step 35

Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.
Step 36

Secure the stabilizer link on the suspension strut. Use a drive socket #16. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 56 Nm torque.
Step 37

Connect the fastener of the ABS sensor cable to the shock absorber strut. Fasten the brake hose on the strut.
Step 38

Clean the wheel rim mounting seat. Use a wire brush. Treat the contacting surface. Use copper grease.
Step 39

Install the wheel.

Replacement: suspension strut – Mini R50, R53. Tip from AUTODOC experts:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 40

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 41

Tighten the shock strut top mount. Use a drive socket #13. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 34 Nm torque.
Step 42

Treat the shock strut rod. Use copper grease.
Step 43

Lower the car and working in a cross order, tighten the wheel bolts. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 110 Nm torque.
Step 44

Remove the jacks and chocks.

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