Grand Umpah

Having gone through some very fine dust during a recent off-road trip, I decided to pull out the filter and at least blow it out.

Taking off the 4 spring-loaded tabs from the housing did not permit removal of the lid to get at the filter. It was only after I removed two bolts from the air hose anchors to the area of the radiator that I was able to pry it open far enough to get at it.

Is this right? Am I missing some trick? I've never had a vehicle that was such a pain for the air filter. Oil filter, yes; but you expect that (at least the Wrangler makes up for that on the '12).

Canito is1

You aren't missing it. I was stumped by this for a while too until the dealer told me that you must remove "those two" bolts...

MrFish

Was going to do a "quick check" of my filter the other day. Much cursing.

RedRockJeeper

Hmmmm then I guess CAI will be in the works as soon as I find one that is CARB approved.

LordEgg

i just dealt with this today. its the damndest thing. i looked like a monkey reading War and Peace for about 15 min. I was convicned i was missing a clip. nope. damn thing is bolted down on the hose. crazy. why would they do this?

RoysRig

+1 But I've seen similar set ups so I knew 4 clips were not the only obstacle to get to the filter.

MACCTM

Had the same puzzled look until I noticed the two bolts holding the intake tube down. Removed them and then had plenty of room to remove my new 2012 stock filter to put my K&N in I stole from my '07 prior to trading it in. Lucky it was the same exact filter.

Gort

Call me cynical, but I'd bet that the 2 bolts are just a way to get the automotively-ignorant into the dealer for filter changes...

Liquid741

this sounds about right...

JTE

Or maybe to keep the engine mounted tube from rubbing on the body mounted shroud which would squeak until it rubbed through and sucked dust into your throttle body. The Banks CAI uses those mounting points as well.