| Lightninrod |
I feel so stupid as I have done maintenance and modifications to a lot of vehicles in the past. I just got a K&N air filter for my 2007 SL and when I went to install it, I could not get the top of the air filter housing off.:banghead: I freed the two clips on the wheel side but I was scared to force the three retainers off of the engine's side of the housing.
What's the 'trick' in getting the top to slide over/off/up? Please:confused:
And yes, I ran 4 or 5 searches but came up empty.
Dan |
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| intrglctcrevfnk |
| It's been a minute, but I believe you undo all 5 clips, then push the top toward the MAF sensor while pulling up. |
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| Lightninrod |
Thank you for the reply but the engine side has three 'arches' with a tab that's part of the upper housing fitting into each of them. I can't get the tabs to pull out of the 'arches':confused:
Dan |
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| intrglctcrevfnk |
Yep. I know what you mean now.
They're so small and tough to bend.
Try a flat head screwdriver to make the leverage for you.
It'll probably give right before you think your gonna break it...:D |
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| njjoe |
Lightninrod-
I simply open the filter housing like a clamshell and then slip the tabs from the arches. Easy as 1,2,3.
-njjoe |
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| Lightninrod |
| Okay and thank you Joe but believe me, I tried that. Should I remove the sensor(?) that is bolted to the housing first. I couldn't get the wheel side of the housing upward enough to slide/force it out of those arches....:confused: |
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| Corin |
I struggle with this too, every time I change my oil. Actually makes me frustrated when I finally get the filter out and it's clean. All that work for nothing... :rolleyes:
I do what intrglctcrevfnk does, force it. Every time, I think "it's going to break this time" but it does just pop out. One of these days it WILL finally break, and hopefully I'll have a "dammit tool" close by.
No need to feel stupid about it, that's definitely a tricky bugger. Makes me really appreciate my wife's car, that is SO easy to access the filter.
By the way, I was unable to do what njjoe said as well. Can't get quite enough clearance to get the filter out/in without taking the whole thing off. |
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| njjoe |
Oops. :rolleyes:
I forgot one little detail.
I unfasten the "perfect circle" clamp that connects the intake tubing to the top of the filter housing, THEN the top hinges open.
Sorry.
I just went outside and lifted the hood to make sure I wasn't missing something.
-njjoe |
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| Corin |
quote:
Originally posted by njjoe
I unfasten the "perfect circle" clamp that connects the intake tubing to the top of the filter housing, THEN the top hinges open.
AH HA! Yes, that would make it easier... I haven't done that, but every time I tell myself that I should. |
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| Lightninrod |
Thank you so much for the help. I will give it a try again tomorrow or Sat.
And, thanks for saying it's not that easy. I've changed filters on many different vehicles in the past and this just seemed like I was going to have to break off the tabs to get it off, ruining the air-tight seal of the filter housing. |
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| BikerJohn |
quote:
Originally posted by njjoe
Oops. :rolleyes:
I unfasten the "perfect circle" clamp that connects the intake tubing to the top of the filter housing, THEN the top hinges open.
-njjoe
And the winner of the $64,000.............njjoe!!!:D
Yes; that stainless steel band clamp needs to be loosened(don't worry, it won't fall off-it's attached to the airflow tubing).
Once loosened; pull apart the tubing away from the air filter housing at the same time. Then pop off the retainer clips on the filter housing and unhinge the top cover.
Just be careful with the connected wiring on the cover.:4: |
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| Lightninrod |
Thanks again. Joe and BJ's posts were the answer.
I just made the change with the mileage at 18,350 miles.
If I may, I will add a few pointers:
1. Loosen the stainless steel clamp(5/16" nut driver works) that attaches the rubber intake tube to the air filter housing. No need to remove the clamp.
2. I used a flat blade screwdriver to break the seal between the tube and the housing, sliding it off of the housing. Move the tube upward until its end is above the housing connection.
3. Free the rt. side clips. Pull up on that side of the housing, tilting it upwards and then just slide the lft. side away from the three 'arches'. That tabbed side will come free allowing for getting the housing away enough to lift the old filter out.
4. Blow out trash, bugs that are lying in the bottom of the lower housing.
5. Place the new filter in place and reverse the removal movements. Don't over tighten the clamp; just past 'snug'.
6. Start up the engine and listen for air leaks.
7. Write down the date, mileage, and the change in your Maintenance booklet.
Dan |
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| Warhammer |
Interesting...
When I tossed the paper filter and replaced it with a K&N I did not have to do any unscrewing of anything. I just removed the silver tabs around the airbox and lifted while pushing towards the MAF sensor.
Hood popped and done in less than 5 minutes. |
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| Eric L. |
| These parts are now gone from my MO since I have a JWT cone in there, but from what I remember, if the top cover is stubborn to lift even after you unfasten the metal tabs, just grab the whole thing and shake it side to side, that should jar it loose enough to attempt to hinge it open. Joe's idea to release a clip further up is also a good one. Alternatively you can also detach the bottom part of the airbox from the resonator below. I think its just a friction fit. |
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| bluemurano |
| Yah! I am afraid to do this my self can someone post pics on step by step replacement... Just like how to on cabin airfilter? Thanks! |
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| Lightninrod |
quote:
Originally posted by bluemurano
Yah! I am afraid to do this my self can someone post pics on step by step replacement... Just like how to on cabin airfilter? Thanks!
What did I leave out?
quote:
Thanks again. Joe and BJ's posts were the answer. I just made the change with the mileage at 18,350 miles.
If I may, I will add a few pointers: 1. Loosen the stainless steel clamp(5/16" nut driver works) that attaches the rubber intake tube to the air filter housing. No need to remove the clamp.
2. I used a flat blade screwdriver to break the seal between the tube and the housing, sliding it off of the housing. Move the tube upward until its end is above the housing connection.
3. Free the rt. side clips. Pull up on that side of the housing, tilting it upwards and then just slide the lft. side away from the three 'arches'. That tabbed side will come free allowing for getting the housing away enough to lift the old filter out.
4. Blow out trash, bugs that are lying in the bottom of the lower housing.
5. Place the new filter in place and reverse the removal movements. Don't over tighten the clamp; just past 'snug'.
6. Start up the engine and listen for air leaks.
7. Write down the date, mileage, and the change in your Maintenance booklet.
Dan
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