2001 Subaru Forester CAB air filter replacement

ADOBESIGNS

MEMBER
2001 SUBARU FORESTER
4 CYL
AWD
AUTOMATIC
115,829 MILES

Hello,
I have a 2001 Subaru Forester I want to replace the cabin air filter in. Not the engine compartment air filter, this I already completed in about 10 minutes.
I looked under the glovebox, located the access panel for the air filter, removed the two small c-clips from the front of the access panel which held it in place and removed the access panel itself (also removed the large removable rubber gasket that was attached to the access panel too).
I looked inside the canister at the cabin filter within and saw the filter is extreamly dirty. Also saw an enourmous amount of pine needles and misc debris inside the canister that are stuck onto the filter too. It's obviuos this cabin air filter is the original and has never been replaced.
From my general observation there appears to be no easy way to get at the cabin air filter to replace it without an extensive amount of disassembly. I have no concerns about tackling this project as I am very mechanicaly savy but I was wondering before I attempt this procedure myself, and in the hopes there may be an easier way, but was wondering if there's a particular set of instructions/procedures or visual how-to aid for doing the actual replacement of the cabin air filter?

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thankyou,
Ed

3 Replies

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,870 POSTS

I posted the instructions and some diagrams it looks pretty straight forward.

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Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011 AT 5:11 PM

ADOBESIGNS

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thankyou but a couple things need clarity please. Let me explain.
First, according to figure#1 the filter looks as if it's right there after removing the access cover and it'll comes straight down and out. But with the access cover removed and looking into the canister you can see the filter tucked up against the left side of the canister wall (if sitting in the passenger seat looking straight ahead facing the dashboard. Imagine then that the filter is inside up tight against the "left" wall of the canister). I can stick my fingers into the canister, barely able to touch the filter but have no way of gripping it. How's it supposed to come out if you can't get to it, not to mention how would the new one go back into place?
Second, figure#2 shows a rear and front filter assembly. Is there supposed to be (2) filters in the canister because clearly from what I see there's only one inside right now.

Thankyou,
Ed