Gearbox Removal

[ghv]

I have to remove the gearbox to replace the clutch and all has gone well so far.
I have the box off the engine but it seems to be 'trapped' main culprit seems to be the gear selector lever which prevents the box moving the way I think it needs to go. Front sections of subframe are off as I guess this is where it needs to drop out from.
A/C compressor has been dropped out on the pipes and I think I have the maximum amount of room I am going to get.
Is it possible to remove the box?
Any hints and tips would be most welcome!
We are talking 02 Cooper with air conditioning

Alan

[mab01uk]

Some links here with photos which should help:
Early MINI Rover Midland Gearbox - Forums

http://personal.stevens.edu/~jdunn/F...heWeakLink.pdf

Interior/Exterior :: Girl's Guide to Removing Bumper, Carrier, and Front End (MFE) - North American Motoring

Drivetrain :: Clutch, Flywheel, and Quaife Install Overview - North American Motoring

[ghv]

Thanks for that, I had spent a couple of hours trying to manouvre the box out!
My 'Haynes Manual' make NO MENTION of removing or lowering the sunframe - once done it came away ok, new clutch fitted, box back on and engine hanging on its mountings - just got to put the rest back together!

Alan

[mab01uk]

Haynes manuals often seem to leave out some quite important steps!

[Mike Edwards]

My personal favourite from Haynes is for an air-cooled VW where it tells you to pull the engine back off the gearbox having missed out the fairly important step of undoing the bolts that hold the engine in place...