Cabin Air Filter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 755
Likes: 143
help with wood trim piece removal on Lariat
can anybody give me advice on how to remove that darn "wood trim" piece in the Lariat to get to the screws when you install the cabin air filter? 
everything so far was easy... disconnect and drop glove box, remove the rubber piece.... but now.... i'm sitting in front of a wood trim piece and have literally no idea on how to remove it. I tried to pry it out but it's held by some clips (?) which i have no access to. Obviously I stopped before i broke something...
any advice is highly appreciated...
everything so far was easy... disconnect and drop glove box, remove the rubber piece.... but now.... i'm sitting in front of a wood trim piece and have literally no idea on how to remove it. I tried to pry it out but it's held by some clips (?) which i have no access to. Obviously I stopped before i broke something...
any advice is highly appreciated...
5 Year Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,642
Likes: 651
From: Durham, NC
can anybody give me advice on how to remove that darn "wood trim" piece in the Lariat to get to the screws when you install the cabin air filter?
everything so far was easy... disconnect and drop glove box, remove the rubber piece.... but now.... i'm sitting in front of a wood trim piece and have literally no idea on how to remove it. I tried to pry it out but it's held by some clips (?) which i have no access to. Obviously I stopped before i broke something...
any advice is highly appreciated...
everything so far was easy... disconnect and drop glove box, remove the rubber piece.... but now.... i'm sitting in front of a wood trim piece and have literally no idea on how to remove it. I tried to pry it out but it's held by some clips (?) which i have no access to. Obviously I stopped before i broke something...
any advice is highly appreciated...
Good luck!
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 755
Likes: 143
I hope I can explain it properly.....
1. Dropped the glove box (take everything out).
2. Unlatched both sides of the filter door.
3. Not sure exactly what did it but lifted the left side out of the bottom latch. Then when I titled the door the other bottom side came off.
4. Removed filter by pulling it back while slightly giving some upward pressure on the pocket (but not a lot). Just enough to manipulate the filter out. **The filter did have to squeeze/bend a little but nothing that deformed it permanently.
5. Put filter back in. **a little squeeze/bend but nothing to deform. Very slight, just enough to fit between the pocket and filter opening area.
6. Tricky part.... put door back on. Had to get the bottom part on by feel and adding some slight pressure on the pocket (again, not much). Used a flat tip screwdriver to help get those bottom notches to clip properly. Took a minute or so of trying to get it to work. Could probably do it faster next time around.
7. Latched the end clips and put glove box back to normal.
I did not have to unclip anything else beside what is needed to drop the glove box and to unclip the filter door portion.
1. Dropped the glove box (take everything out).
2. Unlatched both sides of the filter door.
3. Not sure exactly what did it but lifted the left side out of the bottom latch. Then when I titled the door the other bottom side came off.
4. Removed filter by pulling it back while slightly giving some upward pressure on the pocket (but not a lot). Just enough to manipulate the filter out. **The filter did have to squeeze/bend a little but nothing that deformed it permanently.
5. Put filter back in. **a little squeeze/bend but nothing to deform. Very slight, just enough to fit between the pocket and filter opening area.
6. Tricky part.... put door back on. Had to get the bottom part on by feel and adding some slight pressure on the pocket (again, not much). Used a flat tip screwdriver to help get those bottom notches to clip properly. Took a minute or so of trying to get it to work. Could probably do it faster next time around.
7. Latched the end clips and put glove box back to normal.
I did not have to unclip anything else beside what is needed to drop the glove box and to unclip the filter door portion.
I cannot get both bottom notches to clip in properly even with flathead screwdriver help. I pushed pretty hard but every time I think they are latched they pop out again when I try to clip in the sides. I gave up after trying and sweating all over my leather seats for 15min. The door is now somewhat latched but open at top because sides are not clipped in. Any downside of leaving like this - assuming there are no rattles ?
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 755
Likes: 143
Thanks! I've seen that video - helpful.
I'm just curious how dealerships change the filter... there's NO way they are unscrewing , disconnecting , prying out the wood trim, change filter and then redo everything. I could bet they do the other method and just remove / manhandle new filter in and then somewhat close the filter door and done ...
I'm just curious how dealerships change the filter... there's NO way they are unscrewing , disconnecting , prying out the wood trim, change filter and then redo everything. I could bet they do the other method and just remove / manhandle new filter in and then somewhat close the filter door and done ...
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 755
Likes: 143
So - solution : I broke the useless two bottom clips of the filter door off and now it goes in and fits nicely being clipped into the side latches. No play - nice and tight fit. Going fwd filter changes will be a matter of minutes - drop glove box, open door , replace filter and pop door back in, hook glove box back in - done. Plus : no more trying to line up bottom hooks while attempting to squeeze them in so side latches can connect.
Not sure why the filter door needed bottom latches AND side latches to begin with
Not sure why the filter door needed bottom latches AND side latches to begin with
5 Year Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,642
Likes: 651
From: Durham, NC
So - solution : I broke the useless two bottom clips of the filter door off and now it goes in and fits nicely being clipped into the side latches. No play - nice and tight fit. Going fwd filter changes will be a matter of minutes - drop glove box, open door , replace filter and pop door back in, hook glove box back in - done. Plus : no more trying to line up bottom hooks while attempting to squeeze them in so side latches can connect.
Not sure why the filter door needed bottom latches AND side latches to begin with
Not sure why the filter door needed bottom latches AND side latches to begin with
