I screwed in some long bolts, pulled the front section out (into service mode), and clamped on a small set of Vice-Grips to keep the front end fully extended.
Hi Cliff, Sorry I don't have those slider bolts otherwise I'd bring them over. I'm in N. Raleigh with our '08 Clubman S. I tried to put my mini in service mode last evening so I could do several gasket and hose replacements. Are those slider bolts absolutely required? I have followed the "How to" steps on this forum for preparing for service mode and also consulted the Bentley Publishers video on Youtube - MINI Cooper (R55, R56, R57) 2007-2011 - Radiator support service position placement DIY - how to, but I can't get the front end to budge forward. Double checked all the fasteners, hoses and connectors. Everything looks free to move, but it seems the crush tubes are wedged onto the frame. We had two people pulling forward while shifting side to side and it still would not come lose. I must ask the forum, is there a trick to this? Seems to be real stubborn not to move.
The crush tubes are held in by 4 bolts from the bottom. One of mine pulled out after I smacked it with the palm of my hand. The other one needed to be smacked around a little with a rubber mallet while pulling on it. It might help to spray a little PB Blaster on it to free it up.
Sorry Jono, can't help you much on getting your Mini into service mode...with all the work I'm preparing for (head replacement, S/C service, many related belts, gaskets, and bits), I'm leaning toward going ahead and pulling the whole front off rather than just placing in service mode. I do plan to make up some service mode bolt pieces for use down the road on simpler jobs as it is a simple lathe job....but priority has moved out since I won't need them immediately.
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