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!
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.
