Rant - Air Filter check

[Pitterpat]

Who in the H -* - L - L told GM to have screws, torx screws at that on the Air Filter enclosure? That is the DUMBEST idea I have ever seen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What happened to clamps to keep it closed????

 

[RST Dana]

Who in the H -* - L - L told GM to have screws, torx screws at that on the Air Filter enclosure? That is the DUMBEST idea I have ever seen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What happened to clamps to keep it closed????

Welcome to 2007

 

[iamdub]

I understand your frustration, but it's not like you have to open it up at every fill-up. Where the filter box is located, clamps would probably be just as much of a pain. I couldn't tell you the number of clamps I've had pop off and fall somewhere that required me to remove the whole filter box assembly just to retrieve it. Them mid-90s cars were the worst.

 

[drakon543]

anything to add extra trouble for people who want to start doing thier own maintenance. torx are easy to get but most people just dont have those tools.

 

[gooffeyguy]

Are they only torx, or torx with a slot through the center so a flat blade screwdriver works too?

2001 Yukon SLT
2012 Yukon Denali XL
2011 Yukon Denali RIP 5/20/18

 

[SnowDrifter]

tbh I don't even bother "checking" mine. If I'm going to pull it apart for inspection, for the couple bucks a filter is, I'd just assume install a new one.


I do mine annually as part of my "going into winter" maintenance checklist.

 

[Pitterpat]

Are they only torx, or torx with a slot through the center so a flat blade screwdriver works too?

No, just torx screws, luckily (as a female) I have all of these tools, but it was just a pain in the rear. Luckily I have a 12" 3/8 extension and a 1/4" doohicky to put on the end to be able to use the torx bit from a Stanley rachet kit I carry in the Yukon.

It's just ridiculous, there should be an easier way.

2001 Yukon SLT
2012 Yukon Denali XL
2011 Yukon Denali RIP 5/20/18

 

[Pitterpat]

tbh I don't even bother "checking" mine. If I'm going to pull it apart for inspection, for the couple bucks a filter is, I'd just assume install a new one.


I do mine annually as part of my "going into winter" maintenance checklist.

I've never looked at it like that. I've had this veh. 2 years and I haven't changed it yet. When I did look at it today it was very clean, should have taken a picture but I was trying to check it b/4 it started to rain. I'll pick one up week after next.

Thanks for the tip.

 

[Pitterpat]

anything to add extra trouble for people who want to start doing thier own maintenance. torx are easy to get but most people just dont have those tools.

I have the tools but I did think it was something to keep people from doing it themselves too.

 

[gooffeyguy]

It must be my 2001 that has the torx/slotted type screws then

2001 Yukon SLT
2012 Yukon Denali XL
2011 Yukon Denali RIP 5/20/18

 

[drakon543]

I have the tools but I did think it was something to keep people from doing it themselves too.

the less inclined someone is to do thier own work the more they will use a garage. if you have a newer vehicle you also more inclined to use a stealership.

 

[Mickey_7106]

I don't see what the problem is. It's a screw, it turns in the same directions as others

 

[drakon543]

I don't see what the problem is. It's a screw, it turns in the same directions as others

people are lazy and manufacturers know it. lol im not really one to talk tho i just had a part ordered through Amazon for my other car. i spent more time getting someone i know to order it for me than make my own Amazon account for one part. if i didnt do car work on the side i probably would go buy a tool for a one time use either.

 

[R3cord303]

It threw me for a loop when I checked mine for the first time after buying it. Got out three 1/4 ratchet extensions and a torx socket and they came out. Took 3x as long as it should have but its not something you check every oil change so I don't see what the big deal is. I might pick up a long torx screwdriver though for it.

 

[Mickey_7106]

If they have prime, split the cost with them. I think you can have up to three sub accounts

people are lazy and manufacturers know it. lol im not really one to talk tho i just had a part ordered through Amazon for my other car. i spent more time getting someone i know to order it for me than make my own Amazon account for one part. if i didnt do car work on the side i probably would go buy a tool for a one time use either.

 

[drakon543]

If they have prime, split the cost with them. I think you can have up to three sub accounts

in the past 3 or 4 years ive ordered a total of twice off Amazon. i generally find anything i want at a comparable price with free shipping already so i have no need for it. i really only ever use it when i find an item i want but i dont trust the original website. or like with my civics door latch Amazon was the only place that had one in stock.

 

[Doubeleive]

I've been a broke bastard for most of my life but I wisely purchased small tools here and there as I could afford them (tools last forever unless you break them), I remember one time in particular the timing jumped on my 79 trans am I barely had 2 nickels to rub together and the cheapest place I could find to do the job was $600-700, that TA was my only transportation, I leaned real fast how do a timing chain, I dreaded it going in and figured screw it either I will be successful or I will still be totally screwed anyway so why not? it worked out perfectly and it was a pretty good feeling that I managed to save that much money by doing it myself. I still have those tools 30 years later and they still save me money.

 

[Rocket Man]

I hate to tell you but you will be buying more tools forever if you want to do your own work on your vehicles. Seems every time I work on a different part of my rig I need another tool. You’ll never have everything you need. I just had to buy a dial caliper to check crankshaft end play. Last month I didn’t even know what either of those terms meant. Hey just for fun, go look at what holds your seats in. Torx screws are one of the most basic items and have been used on crap forever. As well as reverse torx. Or torx plus like the T55 torx plus that hold the bell housing to the trans that I just had to deal with. I stripped out 2 of them , ordered replacements by part number only to find out they have been superseded by something called Mortorq. I didn’t have that tool, and it was cheaper to buy used torx plus bolts from eBay than buy the Mortorq socket.Then there’s security torx which have a raised dot in the middle. Oh man now you’ve got ME started lol.

 

[Tonyrodz]

I hate to tell you but you will be buying more tools forever if you want to do your own work on your vehicles. Seems every time I work on a different part of my rig I need another tool. You’ll never have everything you need. I just had to buy a dial caliper to check crankshaft end play. Last month I didn’t even know what either of those terms meant. Hey just for fun, go look at what holds your seats in. Torx screws are one of the most basic items and have been used on crap forever. As well as reverse torx. Or torx plus like the T55 torx plus that hold the bell housing to the trans that I just had to deal with. I stripped out 2 of them , ordered replacements by part number only to find out they have been superseded by something called Mortorq. I didn’t have that tool, and it was cheaper to buy used torx plus bolts from eBay than buy the Mortorq socket.Then there’s security torx which have a raised dot in the middle. Oh man now you’ve got ME started lol.

They use those security torx in jails alot--obviously.

 

[gooffeyguy]

They use those security torx in jails alot--obviously.

And to hold the chrome running horse grill emblem on mustangs since about '93/94

2001 Yukon SLT
2012 Yukon Denali XL
2011 Yukon Denali RIP 5/20/18