F56 Door Handle Fitment Gremlin

[Foxdropper]

Hi, started dechroming wifes Cooper S today,
Light surrounds off/on no issues, front rear badges off/on
no issues, Thunder Grey mirror caps off/Black caps onon no issues,
Passenger door handle chrome one off/in no issues,
Driver door of no problem, but do you think I can get the
Allen screw that goes through side of door to line up with
the little bracket that goes over key local to keep handle on,
not a hope, no matter what I do this just will not catch the thread
on bracket, I have take Allen bolt out and checked threads on both
parts, no problems both threads are good and go together when
off the car, on trying to reassemble, same problem, gave up after
few hours, watched umpteen YouTube videos etc , and doing
everying correctly, just wont thread/line up, so have now left
till tomorrow as I'm just about to start nightshift, hopefully a
the Gremlin will disappear over night...anyone any suggestions,
please feel free to comment.

Thanks in advance, Steve.

Now got bit of trepidation on attempting full front grill replacement
(honeycomb burst by pigeon) so new top grill to replace, plus fit
new black grill surround, think that maybe 2 man job, again any
tips on this wild be great, also considering replacing OE side/fog
lights with Halo replacements, (as it will be off anyway) anyone done this ? Best ones to get?

[JOHN MILNE]

To renew grille surround remove grille along with surround by taking off top bolts pull forward slow access to retainers of bottom
Once removed to grille put in lower retainers and then bolt back on

[MINI William]

Changing the grill me grill surround isn’t a huge job and done as John has described.

Cant help with the handles I’m afraid. Have you held both handles up to each other to make sure the holes are in the same place.

[Foxdropper]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the replies, eventually got handle sorted, had to get longer allen bolt and cut it down as the OE bolt (obviously put in at build) just would not catch the plate at back of handle as it was just too short, longer bolt solved the problem.
With regards to new grill and black grill trim, I just dropped the whole front end, once off, grill/trim came off easily enough, without breaking any clips, think it would have been nigh impossible to get this off without breaking something otherwise.
Also had one dodgy fog/drl light anyway, so certainly easier to fit the new pair of halo drl/fogs that way also, wrap the front crash bar etc, everything done in one hit.

[MINI William]

Pleased that you got it sorted