Need Help with Replacing Cabin Filter.... - Subaru Outback

newbert · 11-15-2012, 02:23 PM

I'm trying to replace the cabin air filter on my 2011 Outback, and am having trouble lowering the glove box. I got the dampener on off with no problem, but I can't seem to lower the golve box any farther to get to the cabin air filter. I've tried squeezing both sides of the glove box and pulling down, but that's gotten me nowhere.

Is there a "trick" to lowering the glove box that I'm not aware of?

FWIW, I'm trying to follow the steps in this video:

Cabin air filter replacement- Subaru Outback - YouTube

Thanks!

wutbürger · 11-15-2012, 02:43 PM

There's no trick- damper off, then grab the "flimsy" inside panels while pushing in and down and it should eventually go down once you clear the lips on the inside. You're not going to break those flimsy side panels either, so just push around in all directions and they'll drop down. The whole process took me about 60 seconds start to finish, you'll get it

bfoutch · 11-15-2012, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newbert

Is there a "trick" to lowering the glove box that I'm not aware of?

FWIW, I'm trying to follow the steps in this video: Cabin air filter replacement- Subaru Outback - YouTube

Thanks!

Yes, I found a 'trick' that worked for me. I reached back and pulled the back edge (top) of the glove box towards me. By By deflecting the back towards the passenger seat you will also notice the sides will pull inward. Doing this on each side while pushing the sides inward at the same time, I was able to more easily move each side inward far enough to slide them past their stops. Look at where the guy's left hand thumb is in the video and you will see where to grab the back to pull towards you.

foxrider68 · 11-15-2012, 03:12 PM

Just wiggle it around a bit, it will pop out. It can seem like you're being ruff on it but it will come out. Just pay attention to the angle it pops out at in the video.

newbert · 11-15-2012, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wutbürger

There's no trick- damper off, then grab the "flimsy" inside panels while pushing in and down and it should eventually go down once you clear the lips on the inside. You're not going to break those flimsy side panels either, so just push around in all directions and they'll drop down. The whole process took me about 60 seconds start to finish, you'll get it

Quote:

Originally Posted by bfoutch

Yes, I found a 'trick' that worked for me. I reached back and pulled the back edge (top) of the glove box towards me. By By deflecting the back towards the passenger seat you will also notice the sides will pull inward. Doing this on each side while pushing the sides inward at the same time, I was able to more easily move each side inward far enough to slide them past their stops. Look at where the guy's left hand thumb is in the video and you will see where to grab the back to pull towards you.

Thanks guys! I finally got it out. What a PITA! It takes A LOT more force than the videos indicate, which makes you wonder whether you're removing it or breaking something.

Thanks again!

subiesailor · 11-15-2012, 03:30 PM

You clearly have never changed the filter on my 2001 VW jetta. Lets just say it involves removing sections of the car infront of the windshield - handling cheap very sharp flimsy sheet metal which fits poorly to start with ha ha.

Saint J VT · 11-15-2012, 03:55 PM

My wife helped me with our 05 OB cabin filter. As soon as I saw all that was in place from the factory was just an empty filter frame, I told her, "it is just as well, as we never would have gotten an element in there in one-piece" - as we were putting all the parts back together that make up the right dash and glove box!

upflying · 11-15-2012, 04:35 PM

The "trick" is intended to cause you to visit your local Subaru dealer where you will be charged $115.95 to change the cabin filter.

subiesailor · 11-15-2012, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upflying

The "trick" is intended to cause you to visit your local Subaru dealer where you will be charged $115.95 to change the cabin filter.

Soon to be $215 given apparently people making 250K a year are filthy rich millionairs who need to pay off our GOV debt! LOL

Scoobie13 · 11-16-2012, 01:33 AM

Any good aftermarket brands that fit? I don't like the cheap stuff they sell at most auto parts stores.

11-15-2012, 04:35 PM	#8 (permalink)
upflying Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Reno, NV (Ca transplant) Posts: 1,645 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	The "trick" is intended to cause you to visit your local Subaru dealer where you will be charged $115.95 to change the cabin filter. __________________ '12 Outback Limited 2.5i, Cypress Green Pearl, sunroof, illumination package #2, rear bumper guard, puddle lights, mudflaps, no nav '10 Nissan Frontier SE Crew Cab 4X2 long bed '98 BMW R1100RT-P '86 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS, restored, original, stock daily driver, '09 Harley Davidson FLHP

11-16-2012, 01:33 AM	#10 (permalink)
Scoobie13 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Car: 2013 Outback 3.6 Limited Posts: 147 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Any good aftermarket brands that fit? I don't like the cheap stuff they sell at most auto parts stores. __________________ ------------------------ STI 19MM rear sway bar STI flexible front strut tower brace GT Spec rear strut tower brace LED interior & exterior lights Forester stainless exhaust tips Alpine 235BT Dynamat Xtreme Subtle dead pedal Bosch ICON blades

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11-15-2012, 02:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
wutbürger Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: St. Louis, MO Car: 2012 Outback 2.5 Premium - Former: Golf TDI Posts: 202 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	There's no trick- damper off, then grab the "flimsy" inside panels while pushing in and down and it should eventually go down once you clear the lips on the inside. You're not going to break those flimsy side panels either, so just push around in all directions and they'll drop down. The whole process took me about 60 seconds start to finish, you'll get it

11-15-2012, 03:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
foxrider68 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Washington Car: 2004 Toyota Sienna, miss my eyesight. Life moves on. Posts: 982 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Just wiggle it around a bit, it will pop out. It can seem like you're being ruff on it but it will come out. Just pay attention to the angle it pops out at in the video.

11-15-2012, 03:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
subiesailor Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Francisco Posts: 11,448 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	You clearly have never changed the filter on my 2001 VW jetta. Lets just say it involves removing sections of the car infront of the windshield - handling cheap very sharp flimsy sheet metal which fits poorly to start with ha ha.

11-15-2012, 03:55 PM	#7 (permalink)
Saint J VT Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Green Mountains Car: '05 2.5i H4 4-Speed Auto w/Sportshift Posts: 511 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	My wife helped me with our 05 OB cabin filter. As soon as I saw all that was in place from the factory was just an empty filter frame, I told her, "it is just as well, as we never would have gotten an element in there in one-piece" - as we were putting all the parts back together that make up the right dash and glove box!

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