How to Replace & Bleed Clutch Slave Cylinder MINI Cooper 2002-2006 

All I can say is you sir are single handedly keeping so many Minis on the road. As much as it sucks to be back on the RU-vids again because something else has failed, we are all super lucky to have these absolutely fantastic DIY tutorials to walk those of us that aren’t mechanics easily through. Not sure if you still post and monitor your page, but just wanted to give a huge thank you.

It's always good to find videos out there that go straight to the point and skip all the talking of just nonsense. Thanks for the great info on how to replace this part on my car

You're the best! I've lost count how many things I've boldly tried and succeeded with no experience or business trying simply by watching your videos (head gasket, super charger, transmission, clutch, flywheel, fuel filter, sub frame/ control arms/ grommets, drive shaft and a/c squirrel cage motor to name a few). Though I've watched countless videos for my beloved/and occasionally hated R53, I could not have done it without you and your calm and occasionally wry humor. Thank you so much!

This video is excellent. Mod MINI, you have the best-edited and most informative videos out there! Well done.

I just installed a new slave cylinder in my 2005 Mini Cooper S because it was "sticky" as I let the clutch out. I figured that the slave cylinder was worn out, so I replaced it. Worked for 3 hours trying to get the air out. Finally gave up and made an appointment at my local Mini Cooper dealer. I really hated to do that, so I Googled this subject and this was the first video to come up. IT WORKED!!! I followed these steps and got the air out. I promptly ran into the house and happily cancelled my appointment. Thank you for a great video!!!

I'd like to thank you as yesterday me and my son was struggling to bleed his clutch. I watched your video last night and this morning I made the tool and bled great a huge huge thankyou from the UK 🇬🇧

When you try and put 2 seals inside the line and cylinder you can fight it all day and it will never go together! Thankyou for saving my day and money!

person helping me is an automotive student. He is now considering career change. we started this project 8am finished 6pm and it was most definitely slave as once the old got in my hands it just crumbled broken plastic. however saga continues i still need to bleed it it as its still not running. we watched your video on complete clutch replacement once we saw this video we finally found it. thank goodness as we considered turning car on its side. lol

Thanks a million. Bled mine after watching. Earlier that day bled brakes and struggled with clutch slave cylinder. The only way for me to do the bleed is with a hand vacuum pump as the 2 person method doesn't work here . Jacked-up the front with the driver side jack higher than the passenger side to get a little more slope and reduce the chance of getting air into the clutch slave cylinder line at the master cylinder. I used the pipe strap and screws as you. After 3 tries I got it done. Thanks!

Thanks for the video, I did this very same job a couple of days ago on a 2013 Mini Cooper D, I was initially going to use the method you show but decided to prime the slave cylinder instead. Left the old cylinder attached to the pipe but hanging detached from the gearbox, using a small funnel I poured in fluid to the new cylinder with its piston extended, poured in until it was brimmed with air bubbles rising and out, I also worked the piston back and forth a little (not sure if this helped push any air out), then unscrewed the bleed nipple to let a bit run out there, locked it off, connected the new pipe whilst keeping the slave cylinder vertical, opened the bleed nipple again to allow a gravity fed bleed, locked that off and fitted to car. Clutch works well now with no pedal sticking to the floor, it's also much smoother.

I"m still not sure if this is my problem or not, but I'm VERY thankful for this video. The most complicated thing I've ever done on a car was change the spark plugs, so I'm not all that much of a car guy. But this makes me think that I can actually handle this job if it comes to it. Thanks for going into such detail with the whole job.

You are THE GUY!!!! I can't thank you enough for getting me through a few jobs with my mini including my clutch!! Without you it would not have been possible! So thank you. Saying that, I'm wondering if you have a video or if you can do one on adjusting the clutch? I can't find one that will walk me through it like your videos Do. Thank you in advanced!

Mine has been leaking and today the clutch felt extremely light, all of a sudden i couldn't get it into 1st, what a great video, I wonder how my mechanic will react when I suggest he watches a youtube video on how to bleed it right, lol! thanks !

Its all good even though i did not get my Cooper going again yet and we spent all this time on it with all this info you post and posted I certain I will. I just don't know anything about cars but thanks to good honest people like yourself I'm learning fast. My mechanic student friend after working on this isn't sure repairing cars is for him. He's in his first semester of school but in 4 years he will be a pro, that and I'll always have a mechanic I can count on. So I'll keep encouraging him lol. oh my to disassemble once again and get the thing bleed lol. Should cut the time down considerably 2nd time around lol

This cylinder only fits Minis to production date: UP TO 7TH MONTH OF 2004. After this date a different cylinder is used! The newer slave cylinder has the bleeder valve coming straight out of the end of cylinder, not on top of cyl. Another tip, pressurise the system to 15 PSI and watch the pressure to see if it drops (leak). This should also show where leak is, if any. Now you can bleed system as per Mod Mini, which is a great video.

Blew my seals up whilst tryna lauch it from a standstill; amateur af i know. thanks for the video i couldn't bleed it properly before and this helped alot

Huge thank you. I just did mine today on my '06 R53. I'm not sure it was my issue yet or not, but your video made it easy to swap the part. I've had some notchyness going into 3rd and swapped the slave cylinder in hopes of fixing my issue. I've got a set of shift cables ready to go in as my next attempt if this didn't fix the issue (it's not always notchy, just sometimes.). Regardless, you're vid gave me the courage to bang this one out in an hour on a Sunday afternoon. Thanks again!

you rock..... changed out my clutch about 15k and about a week ago I started noticing some shim while going into first. Not a lot but noticeable. Driving once I got going not an issue. I was on a main road and pushed in the clutch a few times just out of worry and boom went right down to the floor. Clutch went first time car would not start, period. Now it starts but cant change gears. So I had it towed and noticed some fluid leaking. Anyway long story the spring under the clutch pedal came out and after your discription with the trouble getting into first I'm 100% sure its the slave line that burst while pumping clutch. I dont work on cars but I'm going to do this today, you made this look easy... I started changing out my own pads, well why not this as well... I have nothing to lose the car is just sitting there, you rock

It's repairable I see... Stretch that spring out a bit and replace the O'Ring. THANK YOU for the bonus footage.

You have the best videos! Great info, key video shots, excellent explanations, and the content is always what I'm looking for as a MINI Cooper owner. Thank you so much!

Thank you very much for this video. It helps me a lot. The clutch on my tuned MINI R53 doesn't work any more. Under my car I have seen, that this safe cylinder is bleeding. Brake fluid is droping out. Now I have all the things to replace this safe cylinder. In a few hours I start with this work. I hope the clutch works with the new safe cylinder :) Greetings from Germany

I did mine today. thanks to you. Your videos are awesome. keep up the good work and keep those videos coming.

I bought an 02 mini S for my son. Hard to get into first and third. Had a mechanic look at it. He says clutch is fine, not sure what the problem is. Found part on ebay for $30, doing it ourselves. Thanks

Great Video, really useful. We have a Mini 2003 & the gearknob has started to rattle a bit. Hoping it's not the Gearbox so 1st of all I will check the condition of the Clutch Master Cylinder to see if there is a leak. Thanks.

Usual excellent calmly explained video from mod mini. I see that there are currently 70 viewers who have their thumbs on the opposite side of their hands to everybody else.

Hey there! Two weeks ago my clutch pedal fall to the floor. Watched this, your very informative and easy to follow instructions. Soon I got the parts and tools. tackled the job. followed every single step. after the first 3 attempts of bleeding and putting it back = no pedal tension.. all over again.. this time I'm able to shift into gear. drove the car although I noticed the shifting is not smooth. needed a second press to get in gear sometimes.. any thoughts? thanks

Hi, Do you have any videos on how to replace a clutch master cylinder on a 2002 Mini Cooper (Non-S)?

Very awesome video. Basically followed the same steps to do my slave cylinder on my 2003 Jetta. Works like a charm. Appreciate the info.

Great video! But How do you know if the master cylinder should be replaced?

you sir just helped me out bit time! i wasted couple of hours trying and failing... did it your way and worked like a charm. you tha man! i owe you!

So I followed all the instructions and got it to work. thanks! However, the pipe leaks. I have a little rubber gasket that fits on the end of the pipe. It comes off and I have to dig it out and put it back on. It is not an o-ring, but a 2mm "tip". Is that all I need or is there another o-ring?

Just did this myself. For RHD cars you really need a power bleeder and fill it with brake fluid, because the clutch line is high in the reservoir air will creep into it, so best to have that fluid being pumped in. Also just use a tie down strap to compress the plunger, worked well for me.

Hey minimod, I did just as you explained in the video to replace the slave cylinder, which is great by the way, but the clutch pedal is still on the floor. When I start the vehicle, it has a high pitch whine like metal on metal scraping. I can't even get the vehicle into gear to take it in to get it looked at. Any thoughts on what it could be or things to check? It's bled properly, no leaks or anything like that.

clearly the best video detailed and how to explain everything in detail. i will do same job on a citroën c4 and it should be the same.

Thanks for the video , very good camera angles makes this easy to understand. You should invest in some nitrile gloves though, what a messy job!

What an excellent video, thank you. At the beginning I was like, nope that's beyond me, but I think I can do this

Another great video. I'll be doing mine shortly and this gives me the confidence to do the job on my own

ok it should move about an inch, that helps... I'm thinking I have to move the control arm to engage the piston or something... When I had it bled it was only moving the whole part but piston was not going in and out... ok this helps as I thought this was the case but helps to have your verification ... these instructions you gave are awesome.. Ill over the pressure bleeder for sure... The traveling mechanics I offered them $50 to bleed all the parts are removed all the work is done just a bleed so they didn't show based on money and one says he had to look at it... When I hear this all I hear is $$$ $50 done I'm driving... No more leaks at all now that the part is in but I'll have to go through the entire process again, I'm becomnig a pro... You know I'm going to get this done.. I can do this...Thank you again I do not think I have any other questions but yes the pressure bleeder makes the most sense to me.. I love this dam car

Ok, so I pressed the clutch pedal, and it went to the floor and left a puddle under my 2002 Mini S. I watched your video and knew I could do this, as this has been a five-year project from a wrecked Mini that I have slowly been tinkering with. Anyway got the slave cylinder and climbed under the car, and it revealed a corroded line where it clips into the cylinder; ugh. Could not find a video on how to replace the line, so I had to wing it. That took 2 hours to figure out as you have to disassemble the airbox and throttle body and are left with the "octopus" harness directly above clip I, where two lines meet. Would really like to submit a video on how to do it to help others, but you are much better and have the know-how to address this to others via video. Would you please do a clutch line replacement? Also, this completely drains out all fluid in the clutch hydraulic line via gravity (even from the cab so it took quite a lot of bleeding, even with the pressurized bleeder. Cheers, and keep up the good work.

Pressure bled system after replacing slave and master cylinders. Still no joy after several attempts. left car overnight jacked up on slave side with piece of wood wedged between seat and pedal to hold it firmly to the floor. This morning its perfect. Car had none of the usual signs of failing clutch but garage said yep deffo clutch. Its so easy to get ripped off.

hello i know im a little late haha, i followed this procedure perfectly as u shown and my clutch is dragging, and i can not engage gear while the car is on, I'm going to try and bleed it again soon but i was hoping you might have some insight to share

No problems shifting gears but when I accelerate sometimes under heavy load the engine revs go up but the car does not go any faster. Does this sound like a worn clutch or otherwise? Thanks

wait so i just replace the clutch, bearing and sleeve and ive tried 3 different slave cyl and they all leak from the boot after doing this what am i doing wrong?

Could you also just replace the bad seal? I'm from the old school of many classic Minis and Mokes owned and used to rebuilding stuff.

Do you know how far cyl rod travels when extended? Can cylinder have internal leak where brake fluid goes past the piston but not leak externally? My clutch is not releasing fully. I can shift through all gears with motor off, but not with engine running. Any thoughts?'

Hi thanks for the great videos really helped me out. I have a quick question about this one, if I don't have a power bleeder but I do have a helpful uncle to push down on the clutch pedal. Is it ok to bleed the clutch in the traditional way while its clamped down ? thanks

Would it make a different if my car was only jacked up on one side? I only have two axle stands and can’t jack it up without the back end lifting off the floor? (Question meant for the bleeding stage)

cheers for this video, just gave me a good idea how to bleed my clutch that has no bleed nipple and bought my self a cheep kit like yours but use the air from the tyres :)

Whats with the 66 thumbs down..perhaps they are from the southern hemisphere.

Thats a very handy spot for the slave cylinder easy access. Cheers for the good video

You said in another video not to mix old with new fluid. Should I drain my system before refilling the brake fluid.

Thanks Bud i have a porsche and this helped better visuals and your explaination is way better...

As I wrote in another comment, I have changed brakepipes, hoses, calipers, pads, rotors and brake fluid in my belowed R53. Thank you to MOD MINI for your advise. You were right. Everything OK now. Another question from me: some recommend changing the fluid every 2-3 years. Is tthis a good interval, or should I get a glykol tester to check if I can postphone my next flush even longer? Should I also flush the clutch slave cylinder now to change the fluid in ths pipe?

2009 Mini Cooper 100,000 miles, manual transmission. With the engine running, when the clutch is released, it sits like it is in neutral. Does not even try to move. With the engine running I can run through the gears without the clutch and I hear no grinding. The shifter feels normal, not tight, not sloppy. Any ideas?? Please help.

Great thanks again mod mini. Let the project commence

I got inspired to buy a mini because of your videos. I have no other way to contact you. so here it goes. I purchased a 2011 MCS, but looking to get a 03-06 for track use. I know you made a video on what to look for when buying a mini r53, but is it possible for you to make a video on major common problems r53 have and at about what mileage the problems developed. I mean problems like the power steering going suspension/engine problems (was think of an r56 07+, but this car are lemons from factory).

Hi Mod Mini Love your vids. Helped me no end in fixing my 03 MCS. Do you by any chance have a video on how to replace the Brake Servo/Booster ? I have hissing coming from the brake pedal when not pressed. I believe a seal has gone in the booster.

Hello, really enjoying your videos! New to the Mini community as I just bought a '05 S with 69k miles. Been reading up alot and watching videos about these cars to educate myself. Question though my clutch is what I think is very stiff, is this normal for these cars? Shifts fine and nothing wrong just never drove a Mini S before. Thanks

Hey Modmini, just a quick question! I did a clutch replacement on my 06 R53 from stock to a solid valeo kit. While watching this video to bleed my new slave cylinder, I noticed that the arm for the clutch fork was compressing the slave cylinder pretty far, almost fully. I put a valeo clutch kit in mine and I noticed that the slave cylinder is only compressed about halfway. I can feel the spring return when I let off the pedal, so I do believe it’s installed correctly. I guess my question is: does the valeo pressure plate have less travel than the stock? I’m scared I’ll have to drop the whole subframe and transmission again if I installed it incorrectly, thanks!

Hey thank you for always post great mini content. Question…have you ever run into one of the slave cylinder mounts breaking free from the transmission? If so, will welding it back on work and hold?

Great video, just had someone change the slave clutch for me and now am not able to put into gear at all. He said "looks like the clutch was ready to go out" ( I don't think so). I'm going to redo the job myself. Can you tell me what the o-ring size is, I think he probably didn't remove from the old part. Thanks!

extremely helpful thanks!!!

I have a 2005 Cooper S and I just got done following your EXCELLENT video and successfully replaced my clutch. When I went to install my new slave cylinder- I inserted the line from master cylinder into slave cylinder and I’m getting fluid shooting out of connection point. You mentioned an o ring being down in the hole on slave cylinder but all I have on mine is the cone shaped black plastic piece that is on the end of the line that inserts into slave cylinder. When I attempted to install I did not have slave cylinder compressed - is that my problem?

Very nice job! START TO FINISH! 👍🏼👍🏼+👍🏼

Very good narration and explanation!

Wonder if you could help me. I had to replace my booster, master cylinder, and slave cylinder on my 03 mini that had been sitting for a few years. I bled the braking system, then proceeded to replace the slave clutch and bleed with a power bleeder. Now the clutch pedal is super soft and only pushes the slave a tiny bit, after fully depressing the clutch. Nowhere near enough to even start the car. What did I do wrong?

I would like to rebleed my peddle for a piece of mind, do i just simply compress the piston all of the way in first, then loosen the bleed nipple and get someone to press the clutch pedal slowly? Then tighten as the fluid flow stops, then release pedal? Thanks again buddy

Excellent, well-edited video. I know how to do this job now. Thanks.

This is great but do you have a video on the clutch master as well? I understand that it is best to replace master and slave at the same time

Thanks so much for your help! I've now got my Mini with a real Mini/BMW shop and not the thieving dealership!

Hi bro my mini is not going to any gear wht do u think maybe be thanks for the video

Perfectly executed, and exactly what I needed!

Can you please show us a master pump replacement and inner operation thanks

Awesome video! It is really helpful. My issue is that after replacing the slave the piston/rod seems to warp or bend. Gone through two now. It will drive/shift great for about 15! Minutes then back to not shifting after removing the slave cylinder for inspection the rod/piston is bent. Happened twice. Not sure what to do about this. Any idea?

Your a star. Thanks for the video.

Firslty ,Thanks for this video.I also have a2002 r50 cooper it is really hard to get reverse gear and also sometimes, first gear.Furthermore , the biting point is quite high and actually bites in the 1/4 of the clutch motion range.So ,I was just wondering that damaged clutch slave cylinder can cause high biting point. Thank You...

hello. Im looking at a mini. But the clutch pedal engages all the way at the end. shift fine. but the pedal is soft and catches at the wall. the seller says it just needs to be bled cause its a high performance clutch. your opion. thank you again.

When I did the clutch on my car, to bleed it properly without using a power bleeder, I had to rotate the slave cylinder 90 degrees while it was on the line so that the bleeder was just a little higher up than where the line goes in, as shown at 9:26, and let it gravity bleed for a few minutes.

Hey MiniMod. I just change the clutch on my R50 with no problems but now it has to be forced into gear. This wasn't a problem before the repairs and the slave cylinder has no leaks. I did bleed the slave but before I buy a new one do you think I should bleed it again?

yes not so bad but complete filter and housing needed to be removed and complete battery and housing removed. I mentioned getting clutch being replaced today not so sure as the old slave although crumbled once removed it sure looked new?? This is why I didn't bring it to a garage to begin with.

I have yet to see a video or thread but this looks like the same one that is INSIDE my R53 under the clutch pedal and it is leaking and wet any suggestions or info on this.

I got a new clutch slave cylinder and it leaks at the connection of the hydraulic line. How do I fix it?

why was this zykudner exchanged? what were the symptoms?

Can you do this by pumping the clutch pedal to bleaed

Quick question, just went to do this job on my R53 this week and after pressurizing the system (I made it to about 11-12 on the power bleeder and it blew a crack into the back side of the master reservoir. I didn't think it was that much pressure as you have 15 on yours in the video. Was that just due to the reservoirs age/wear perhaps? I have a parts car so no biggie, but I don't want to blow another one.

How much play should there be in my clutch fork leaver I have a 2006 engine with 2003 trans

Will a bad slave cylinder on a r53 cause clutch to slip

Hey Kirk! So I don't know if my clutch is dying or my slave is dying or I am actually just getting use to my clutch. So it feels like my clutch is activating a lot sooner closer to the floor.... It's not slipping, but just feels light with my foot, I still cannot press it down with my hand easily. I know the mini's have short activation and not that long of clutch travel.

This guy is awesome and VERY SMART MAN !!!

Hey Mod Mini thanks for the video I'm doing an 02 non S throwout bearing can you give me a list of parts and #s thanks a lot for the video you really explain things well

Thank you for the video. Forgive my ignorance but should I be pressure bleeding with the clutch pedal down or up? I've bled it multiple times (or so I think) with the pedal up and my clutch pedal still goes straight to the floor with no pressure. I've also replaced the clutch master cylinder with no improvement. any thoughts on what I'm missing?

I have to thank you again for your super informative videos you make it very easy for someone to tackle their mini.. However today i dropped my car off at the Mini dealer ship for them to warranty my power steering pump when i came back to pick it up it was very hard to get it into first gear i had to press the pedal all the way down to the floor and force it in as i was driving and came to my forst stop i noticed the car was slighltly rolling it worried me so i got onto the highway to get home as quick as i could as i was exiting i go to hit the brakes to come to a stop and my brake pedal went straight to the floor pumped it got a tiny bit of pressure and creeped to a stop.. that was fun.. but anyways i understand the clutch and brake system are tied together is it possible its my slave cylinder thats also affecting my braking? and also if it is what process to i go through to bleed. now if it is the slave do i bleed the slave first then all the calipers? again thank you so much for being extremley informative im learning about minis ive owned mine about a week now and running into a slew of issues but you have helped me tackle 7 out of 10 lol thank you.. bu the way i have a 2002 non s and it will be getting its tranny rebuilt 2nd grinds 3rd is non existent and reverse grinds also the tranny was grinding and all that mess before i brought it to the dealer but did not have these brake and clutch engagement issues

Awesome video very informative doing my clutch slave thank you so much

My R53 shifts fine when the car is first started, but after it gets warm it will become very stiff to shift- especially into first. I lubricated the selector levers at the top of the transmission, the ends of the cables, and under the shifter boot inside but this did not change matters. Could this be a slave cylinder issue or would you think this is something internal to the transmission?

To reduce the amount of air in the slave cylinder, can the new part be filled on the work bench? Would still plan on bleeding it, but would love to reduce the air at the start if possible.

Thank you for this video. The whole of the engine oil sump pan appeared to be covered in a film of oil. Is this likely to be a symptom of a leaking crankshaft position sensor O ring or leaking valve cover gasket?

Thanks for doing these videos. Is the slave cylinder procedure any different for a non-S?

what am i doing wrong with the power bleeder, i bought the same one you are using and it won't stop leaking at the stupid cap

Great vid. I just repaired my 02 mini head while watching your head replacement video. It works! Problem now is we have a 5 speed trans issue with trouble going into gear and getting worse. When doing the head job I noticed the white plastic master cyl had a cracking sound like an old crusty deteriorating milk bottle. Could this have caused the system to loose pressure in that slave? The clutch "feels" fine as normal. No "to the floor" action and the clutch was replaced 9M miles ago. Does a faulty slave cyl = pedal to the floor?

So...can you technically do this as a two-person job? Similar to bleeding breaks where one person lightly pumps on the brake pedal and holds it while the other bleeds the caliper? Only, with the clutch slave cylinder, the piston would still be in the compressed position. Is this an option?