Decided today that it was probably time to change the Cabin Air Filter (Pollen Filter) on my 2014 Sport. Doing this job on most every other vehicle my wife or I have owned is usually a 15 minute job. Not today! According to the shop manual you need to remove the passenger knee bolster air bag in order to get to the hinge pins for the glove box door which must be removed also in order to get to the filter door.


Warning! Warning! Warning!


Or something like that. There are pages of instructions about how to deactivate the Supplemental Restraint System (airbags) prior to unbolting the air bag module along with dire predictions of exploding air bags if you don't follow them to the letter. Then you start on the procedure to remove the glove box door. Then you remove the filter compartment door. Oh and by the way, don't let the spring loaded lanyard that lifts the door get away from you after being unhooked from the glove box door!


Now the easier way. Having a second set of hands helps here.


Hook a wire tie around the door lanyard so when it snaps up into the dash you can retrieve it later.


Take the four bolts out of the air bag mounting bracket and lower the air bag module. DO NOT DISCONNECT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TO THE AIR BAG MODULE!!!


Use the second set of hands to support the air bag while you remove the 2 hinge pins and remove the glove box door. Remove the filter door and replace the filter. Replace the glove box door and its hinge pins.
Lift the air bag module back into position and reinstall the 4 bolts.
Use the wire tie to pull the lanyard back down and install it on the right side of the glove box door. Cut the wire tie and discard.


Every video I could find on the internet that showed the replacement procedure conveniently ignored the air bag issue by pretending that its not there.


Now you know why the owners manual wants you to take it to the dealer every 20K miles and pay $$$ for the replacement.

 

Curious..what does "$$$" mean exactly?

 

Many more than a few $

And that is CRAZY to put a maintenance item behind an exploding air bag !!!

MY jeep was a 10 minute job, the hardest part was bending down and under the dash

Hope our 13 aport doesn't have a filter, so I don't have to change it ! without one, it's ALMOST like riding with the windows down - DOOH !!!!

 

The dealer wants $32.95 for the filter and $95.00 for one hour of labor to install.


I purchased the Ford OEM filter on Amazon for $13.97 and it took me about 25 minutes to install by NOT powering down and disconnecting the airbag.

 

If you had seen how much crud was in the filter I removed after 2 years you wouldn't even think about riding around without one. It was filthy! That's a lot of crap that didn't end up in the heater and evaporator cores.

 

understand.... but somehow we made it this far without one

 

And we have so much more $$$....

 

I did the filter in my 2014 Edge, and it was a breeze. Five minutes. I did the one in my 2015 Explorer and it was a PIA. Same system, but nowhere near the same easy access. I didn't read any manuals, so I didn't really pay attention to what was in the way in the Explorer - it was probably the air bag? But I did get the filter replaced ok, just took some extra tools. And some extra curse words. ;-)

 

i just did the one of my wifes 2013 explorer..lost my balance and pushed down on glovebox..snapped the right side hinge piece that attaches to the pin...any easy fixes? it says it will close fine without it but I dont want to snap it off and find thats not the case..help please

 

Have enough of it to use some epoxy or something if it doesn't have too much stress on it ?

OR call a junk yard to see what a replacement would be - many have locator services to find your part.

 

the clip is attached to the door..not buying a new door..it is cracked but no pieces are missing..im going to have to drive the pin out and slide it through..maybe super glue?

 

Super Glue doesn't work very well on certain plastics. Use JB Weld.