Helix Short Shift Kit Install Guide - MINI F56

Step 1. Remove the Center Console

1a. Remove the Shift Knob. With a firm grip, grasp the shift knob and pull up. The shift knob should pop off without too much effort. If you’re reinstalling the OEM shift knob, do not concern yourself with separating the Shift Knob from the Shift Boot. Regardless of what the following images show, they will be removed and reinstalled together as a unit.



1b. Remove the Shift Ring/Boot. With a Trim Panel Removal Tool or Flathead Screwdriver, pry the shift ring loose and unplug the wiring before lifting away.



1c. Remove the Center Console. Begin by removing the kick panels on either side of the foot well. Each panel is held in place with a Torx screw and panel clips, and they should pull off without too much effort. Once the kick panels are removed, they will expose a single Torx screw on either side of the center console. Remove these two screws.



1d. Remove the rear cup holder. Pull the rubber insert from the center of the rear cup holder to expose the Torx screw. Remove it and the 2 Torx screws on either side of the cup holder and then lift it out and set aside.



1e. Removing the Center Console Cont. Remove the Torx screw holding the rear of the center console.



1f. Detaching the Parking Brake Boot. Pull your Parking Brake up as far as it will go and use the Trim Panel Removal Tool to pry the Parking Brake Boot loose. Do not attempt to remove the Parking Brake Boot assembly from the vehicle as it’s not necessary to do so.



1g. Removing the Center Console Cont. Beginning with the rear, lift the center console up and out of the car. While you are doing so, you will need to maneuver the Parking Brake Boot back through the console. It can be a bit tricky, but it’s not unmanageable.

Step 2. Remove the Shifter Lever

2a. Detach the Reverse Pivot Assembly. Gently pry around the clip with a Flathead Screwdriver until it’s free. Do not damage this clip as it will be reinstalled.



2a. Cont. The Reverse Pivot Assembly only needs to be moved out of the way so that the Shift Lever can be removed. It is not necessary to disconnect it from the linkage.



2b. Disconnect Shift Lever. The linkage connecting to the bottom of the Shift Lever will need to be disconnected. Use a non-marring punch and a mallet to tap the ball cup off of the lower Shift Lever ball. (We used a piece of aluminum round stock wrapped in blue tape)



2c. Removing the Shift Lever. Compress the 3 clips on the white plastic Shift Lever pivot retaining bushing, and pull your stock Shift Lever up and out. It’s a bit of a juggle with one person, but not impossible.

Step 3. Install the Helix Adapter

Install the Helix Adapter. Now that you have the Shift Lever removed from the vehicle, remove the set screw on the side of the Helix Adapter so you can see it fully seat past the lower pivot ball on the bottom of the Shift Lever. Apply a drop of blue Loctite to the set screw and thread it into the Helix Adapter. Tighten with the 3mm Allen Wrench.