So you take apart the other trim and pull that glove box piece out. I mean I thought about doing that but it's alot more involved than replacing the filter on my Explorer. SO I didn't.

well ****.

Meanwhile I'm 3 weeks of driving without the filter box cover in place and I haven't had any real issues.

 

You should try it on my fusion. There's actually a small torx screw holding the lid in place on the filter box.... WHY

 

It really was pretty simple, after watching that video...YOU CAN DO IT !!!!

 

Well got around to changing mine out. Followed that video. Word of caution though, if you don't get the tool in far enough, it can slip. Anyone with doubts that the Platinum trim is real wood, well, it's real wood. I found that the tool goes in so far and you would think, far enough, wrong, wiggle it side to side and push again until you hear a pop or snap, NOW it is in far enough to where you can pry it out.



I was able to find the chip that came out and put it back on with some CA, then waxed the entire piece and can't tell that I chipped it. WHEW!

This is the original filter after 11 months and 29K miles



Here is the new carbon filter,

 

I'm glad you were able to get your cabin filter changed, and were able to repair your trim piece!

 

I changed mine out to one of the Amazon "charcoal" ones a few weeks ago. It was filthy, but I drive around in South Texas quite a bit and it is very dusty there.

I have noticed that the little rubber tray over the glove box wasn't a tight fit to start, but it is even worse now and I can't get it to close the gap at all. Also, the two screw tabs were broken when I took them out, so I assume that it was broken at the dealership since I bought it new. Overall, it wasn't horrible but I think that the procedure should be easier for a disposable item....but this is coming from the same engineers that made the headlight bulb change a 30min procedure.

 

I found the rubber piece needs to be installed a certain way or it doesn't go in all the way. The part on the right has a hook that is inserted first under the vent, then roll the rest into place.

 

I did the same thing when replacing mine. Fortunately mine chipped really close to the base. I colored it in with a sharpie. It was low enough that the rubber covers up the chipped pieces. When I put it back together I took a few of the white plastic clips off to make it less of a PITA next time. We'll see. I could also stop being cheap and just buy the right tool for the job. I used a screwdriver with electrical tape around it : /

 

I did use the right tool, and still chipped it.

 

Changed mine today for the first time at 15,000 miles. A trim panel tool and 7mm socket was all it took to get everything out. Re-installing the trim panels took a little longer to make sure everything lined up. Otherwise, not too bad a process.