'05 Cabin Air Filter Change DIY - Page 3

TurboedMSP · Jan 7th, 2006, 11:22 AM

Looks like yours is the same situation as my '05 XE... After pulling down the glovebox, noticed that the hold-down bolt wasn't there as described in the manual, so all your left with doing is pulling out the black pastic cabin filter cover.. and you're right, it's a pain in the ass to open, the upper tab that you're supposed to depress feels like it's bolted on, and it's very cramped in that crevice where that cover is so you don't have enough space with fiddle around. I ended up actually breaking the upper tab as well as one of the 2 lower hooks, so now it's back in place with only the one remaining hook holding the cover on... I'm going to get a bolt/screw from Autozone to put on, and that alone should hold the cover in place. If need be, just go to a hardware store or auto parts shop and get a screw/bolt, but if you don't break off the upper tab or lower hooks, you probably won't need one at all.[/quote]

I had no bolt either, The bolt tab looks like it will not take a screw either. The
threads start and end really quick inside the bolt tab. I will try to find a screw for it. I broke the tab as well, and also my filters were installed upside down. but they do show alot of crap that they have caught and not let in my cabin.

Gerald · Jan 7th, 2006, 07:15 PM

Q-Tip,

I used their instructions, but it was not clear to me how the cover part releases. It sounds like it is a problem for others too judging from the breakage.

I am beginning to wonder if this is worth it for those of us who have trouble seeing in dark restricted areas.

After all, I have driven a lot of miles in a lot of vehicles without this filter. Maybe that is why my lungs are in the shape they are in.

OkieScot

Quote:

Originally Posted by Q-Tip

Courtesy Nissan has the installation i
nstructions posted on their site.

http://www.courtesyparts.com/Merchan...de=999M1-D4005

The pictures are a little small, but seem to be pretty straightforward. I might have to do this to my truck next. Easy and cheap!!!

One question though -- the instructions refer to a Warning Label?? What gives??

Q-Tip · Jan 7th, 2006, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerald

Q-Tip,

I used their instructions, but it was not clear to me how the cover part releases. It sounds like it is a problem for others too judging from the breakage.

I am beginning to wonder if this is worth it for those of us who have trouble seeing in dark restricted areas.

After all, I have driven a lot of miles in a lot of vehicles without this filter. Maybe that is why my lungs are in the shape they are in.

OkieScot

I also took notice that their instructions say to use an 8mm wrench to remove the screw holding the cover on. Doesn't say anything about "pressing tabs to release the cover" or some such. Seems like some confusion between the instructions and the actual trucks.

Could this be related to some kind of mid-year design change?? Kind of like the chrome door handles & mirrors, maybe the early trucks have tabs and the later ones have the screw?? Or vice versa??

Maybe that's what the warning label is for?!?!?

***WARNING***
Instructions May Not Properly Reflect Reality!!

If Your Truck Looks Like This Then You Got Lucky!!

If Not Then Too Bad!!

-

05 NISMO 4X4 · Jan 7th, 2006, 09:04 PM

After reading this thread I had to go take a look at mine, and wouldn't you know it, I pressed down on the little release tab and SNAP, off it came! I found a small screw in my spare screw jar, so now I just remove the small phillips head screw and replace my filters! I guess I took care of that!

Gerald · Jan 7th, 2006, 11:21 PM

I guess Monday I'll just get rough with it and if worse comes to worse I can always order a new cover. If I see
the cover open I'll see how to open it the next time.

OkieScot

Quote:

Originally Posted by 05 NISMO 4X4

After reading this thread I had to go take a look at mine, and wouldn't you know it, I pressed down on the little release tab and SNAP, off it came! I found a small screw in my spare screw jar, so now I just remove the small phillips head screw and replace my filters! I guess I took care of that!

Reverendbiker · Jan 8th, 2006, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerald

I guess Monday I'll just get rough with it and if worse comes to worse I can always order a new cover. If I see
the cover open I'll see how to open it the next time.

OkieScot

Now settle down here, Gerald--no sense is using the "bigger hammer" method yet. The filter box cover actually comes off pretty easily if you talk to it nicely. Here's what I did:
1. Open the glove compartment door, squeeze in on the sides to allow it to swing down and out of the way.
2. Set a flashlight or small worklight on the top of the door, pointed at the filter box; that leaves both hands free for working.
3. Locate the tab at the top of the filter box cover; you'll see that you need to push in on it to release the cover. It's very stiff, and you'll break it off if you pull too hard on the cover without depressing it.
4. Since it's close quarters under the dash, use a long screwdriver or dowel rod in your right hand to push in on the tab. At the time, use your left hand to lift the filter box cover off. Mine came off easily, first try. The long screwdriver will also come in handy when you have to position the filter in place on the right side of the box.
5. If that fails, just bust the thing loose and, after replacing the filter, use duct tape to hold the cover in place. I understand that said remedy is the solution of choice for most repairs in Oklahoma anyway

Gerald · Jan 8th, 2006, 10:14 AM

Reverendbiker,

Thank you for coming to my rescue once again. I have a
long screw driver so I'll try that tomorrow. And yes, thank you, I also have a roll of Okie required duct tape.

OkieScot

05 NISMO 4X4 · Jan 8th, 2006, 11:38 AM

Gerald, If you do get a little over zealous as I obviously did, find an old sheet metal screw laying around the garage and use it to reattach the cover! When I looked at the tab, I thought it looked as though you had to pull down on it to release the cover, and as Jack pointed out, I found out the hard way just how stiff it was! Also, it probably didn't help that the temp was in the 30's when I attempted this, so it was obviously less resilient than it may have been had I waited till summer to play with it! I never did find the piece that broke off, so I still have no idea what it looks like or how it actually retained the cover! Luckily, I had a screw that fit perfectly, so from now on, this won't be an issue for me! I just have to remember to use my magnitized screw driver when removing the screw so I don't loose it as well!

Gerald · Jan 8th, 2006, 12:42 PM

05 NISMO 4X4,

Thank you for your post. Heck, that means I won't be able to use my Okie duct tape. I think that I have an 8 mm
bolt in my nuts and bolts can.

I wonder why they would make a regular maintenance item so hard to get to. I thought I was going to break the glove box pushing it in far enough to release it.

OkieScot

05 NISMO 4X4 · Jan 8th, 2006, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerald

05 NISMO 4X4,

Thank you for your post. Heck, that means I won't be able to use my Okie duct tape. I think that I have an 8 mm
bolt in my nuts and bolts can.

I wonder why they would make a regular maintenance item so hard to get to. I thought I was going to break the glove box pushing it in far enough to release it.

OkieScot

I had the same fear, the left hand side of the glove box was a booger to get free! The sticker on my glove box recommended changing the filter once a year, or every 15,000 miles, so I guess if you really only have to mess with it that infrequently, it's not that big a deal! Of course if Nissan had foregone the brittle tab and actually put the nut in there, we wouldn't be having these problems, would we?

Gerald · Jan 8th, 2006, 04:57 PM

That is exactly what they should have done. The bolt would have made it a simple thing to change out and
maybe have a better method of moving the glove box door
out of the way.

OkieScot

Quote:

Originally Posted by 05 NISMO 4X4

I had the same fear, the left hand side of the glove box was a booger to get free! The sticker on my glove box recommended changing the filter once a year, or every 15,000 miles, so I guess if you really only have to mess with it that infrequently, it's not that big a deal! Of course if Nissan had foregone the brittle tab and actually put the nut in there, we wouldn't be having these problems, would we?

James · Jan 8th, 2006, 08:09 PM

You know what I do is every month, I take them out and shake the crap out of them and tap them against a wall to get some of that gunk out of there. I go off roading quite a bit and it collects a ton of dust in there along with leaves and other misc. stuff that the air ducts suck in.

MrFancypants · Jan 8th, 2006, 08:57 PM

Since I had everything pulled out installing a crossover this afternoon, I decided to investigate all the fuss about the in-cabin air filters...

The little door flap over the filter is remarkably easy to open... if you do it right. I pushed on it in a few directions and it didnt feel like it was going to open without breaking the tab off (like others seem to have experienced). Then I got the angle just right by placing my thumb on the bottom of the tab and my index finger on the top right corner of the cover flap. The tab actually bends diagonally to the upper right. A very light squeeze and *pop* it opened without a fuss. As with most Nissan connectors, once you figure out how to do it, it makes you feel stupid for not knowing the first time!

I didnt have a bolt in place either. A spare standard Nissan 10 mm bolt fit perfectly.

- Greg -

Gerald · Jan 9th, 2006, 04:54 PM

Thanks to all who helped, my filter elements are now installed and nothing is broken. It still is all I can do to
get the glove box door to release.

The tab was still difficult to push up, but it did so without
any damage to the tab. When I saw how small the tang is on the tab I could not believe it was so difficult to release.

The cover just fell out on the floor once the tab was released. All is well that ends well and it was cheaper than getting the filter from the factory.

OkieScot

05CCLE4X2 · Jan 9th, 2006, 06:03 PM

I just had to go out and check my truck for the Cabin Air Filter after reading this thread. Mine had no bolt or screw either, just the tab. At first I could not tell how to get the plastic cover off, but, after shining a light on the cover, it was very easy to open. I had the 2 filters in mine. The left side of the glove box was a little tight on my truck as well. SK