How ironic, I literally just ranted about this exact thing in my build thread.

 

I watched "videos" too (as in more than 1). The first thing I looked at was the instructions with the filter. Those raised more questions than they answered. Then I found a YouTube for a 2016 XLT. That didn't have the wood trim to remove. Then I found a Lariat video that did have the wood so that was useful. None of them tell you what to do with the damper. The instructions that came with it basically say to remove the glovebox but in retrospect, I am not sure that was even necessary. To make matter worse, the overcast day all the sudden turned into stare-at-the-sun bright when I went out to do the filter. Not to mention it decided to have gale force winds at just that time. It was not a happy time to be around me I'll tell you that!

 

Yeah I screwed up that stupid damper too. The whole thing dropped out of the socket and rolled about 20 feet from the car. 10 minutes of pretending to be a sailor later, I found it and put it back together. Like yours, it only seemed to work in reverse with no damping going down. I am not sure exactly what I did, but after 5 minute of fiddling with it, it worked correctly and I reinstalled it. What a tarded design.

One thing if you notice the socket part that holds the gear is directional. But, you can install it either way. Perhaps reversing it reverses the damping?

 

You would think it should be at least as easy as changing the engine air filter.

 

Cabin filter on the F150 seems to be an after thought by the designers. Cabins filters on my other vehicles are much easier to change.

 

Yeah, it’s a pain in the *** process that doesn’t encourage one to replace it. I’m glad I did so because this is what I found:




Yep, no cover and just a crumpled up dirty filter.
I bought this truck used & decided to look because I didn’t believe the dealer did any of the things they stated had been done.
Anyway, my opinion is after a few times & years things will probably start breaking ...

 

Wait no cover? Did you note a loss in airflow from you vents?

 

Must be a Ford thing, my Escape is even more difficult, the F 150 is straightforward just lots of pieces to remove first.

 

I haven't looked at how to replace one in the F150 yet but after replacing the wife's in her jeep this is on my list. Good to know I need to drink a few beers beforehand lol.

 

And a few Margheritas after!