I know this sounds really sad but I cannot remove my stock air filter element. I tried following the instructions in the owner's manual and I cannot find it in the service manual. I unfastened the two clamps on the front of the cover but the cover does not want to move. I can force it just enough to get my fingers inside but no where near enough run to actually remove the element.

All I want to do is replace the filter element.

 

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-easy-removal-air-filter-box-54827/

But the first time I tried I couldn't do it either.

 

I read somewhere that the trick is to simply push straight back on the cover, collapsing the corrigated tube... versus trying to just lift it straight up. Supposedly no need to remove the actual airbox this way.

 

The best thing to do is keep the clips in the front fastened and pull up on the back of the box to get the back 2 bottom nipples out of the rubber grommets. Then push back on the front of the air box to get the top front nipples out of their rubber grommets. then you can unclap those metal clips to get the air filter out.

before you put it back make sure the rubber grommets are in their holes.
Dont worry about pulling or pushing too hard, you really can't break anything.

put the air box back in the reverse order above.

 

as the above poster said, pull up on the back to dislodge the groomets then push towards the trunk really hard and the whole box will p0p out... i had similar problems at first

 

K got the front and back out of the holes. Undid the clamps in front but the top of the housing still won't come off to allow access to the air filter. There are two hooks underneath that are preventing this. I have pushed and pulled in every direction with no luck. Why did they make it this hard to do such a simple think as change the air filter.

 

Not sure what you mean by the "top", but all you need to do is open it up like jaws and reach down to remove/reinstall the filter element. You don't need to completely disassemble the box.

 

pics?

EDIT

ok, got that damn stock air filter out. Why is it such a HUGE pain in teh *** to replace it? Fvkcing stoopid

 

Too late for you, but this might help someone else. VIDEO

It's about 5 1/2 megs and you will need Quicktime 7

Here it is in DivX (.avi)

It's kind of hard to explain, you just have to get it right once.

 

damn, i had no idea you had to push it that far back. Great vid!!!!

 

the K&N filter is not as thick as the OE one and much easier to get in/out, it also doesn't have to come out anywhere near as often

 

thankx alot for that vid and the quick replys. but anything about that airbox mod thats out now...? said to put some more grunt to the intake sound. but will it harm anything? thanks again

 

At my last oil change, my dealer told me the air filter will have to be replaced soon. I figured I'd do this myself. If I just want to replace the air filter with another stock one, what kind is it and where can I get it?

 

dealer?

 

thanks for the info everybody. I was finally able to change the most difficult air filter in the world.

 

It sure looked easy in that video. I still can't get the bottom back ones out of the grommets: the car was practically shaking when I was trying to pull the box upwards as recommended, I was afraid I'd break something. Yeesh!

 

Your really can't break it just give it a good yank, the rubber grommets must be dry.

 

+1 here. Shitty design. Whoever designed this part is a total moron.

 

If I taped the first time i tried you wouldn't say that.

 

It is super easy to push the 2 bottom rubber grommets through the hole and have them drop into the fans below. Chances are most people will push them through and not know it. I did it twice and they are bitch to get out. So be warned.

 

It's a royal pain in the ****.

 

is there any way of just separating the box by uncliping it without taking the whole box out of the grommets?

 

Thanks for the video dude, that made it clear.

 

yep,

but it is better the other way,, as you can get the filter out..

beers

 

Thanks, expo.