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what the heck! been looking for that diagram forever! lol. I tried sliding it off... Hmmmm
As you can see from the photo the screw looking thing is blocking the ability to just slide off the damper. It looks all scratched up too. Like someone tried to do it before me.
You could put some electric tape on the jaws of a regular size pair of pliers and gently squeeze the tapered end of that damper stud, then pull off the damper. Better yet, if you can find the correct diameter of plastic tube, you could slide that onto the end of the damper stud to compress it while you pull off the damper.
The instructions forgot to mention to press the two tabs together to slide off the damper. I find using wooden clothes pin or a plier covered with a cloth works well to press them together.
The instructions forgot to mention to press the two tabs together to slide off the damper. I find using wooden clothes pin or a plier covered with a cloth works well to press them together.
I was able to pull the cabin filter out without completely removing the glove box. Once you have the glove box open. On the top, squeeze the 2 sides and it can open up another 2-3 inches while still attached to the dampers. It was enough to put my hands in to take the filter cover off and just pull the filter/tray out of it.
Didn't need plyers to open it up. I just pulled it out and it gave way. Nothing broke.
Now, as far as the filter size, this is what I researched:
871390E040
Only the online dealers have it.. For 30 bucks!
Some websites said this would fit:
FRAM CF10285
I can confirm that it DOES not fit. It is too short
If anyone knows anywhere to get the air filters cheaper that would be great!
For what its worth, I did buy some CF10285, not from Fram though, thinking it would fit but like you. I found it did not. As far as I can tell. Lexus changed the tray design and there is a guide in the middle of the tray that I assume keeps the filter in place and centered. This guide is actually flipped or the filter pleats are flip so it will not go in and sit in the tray (Pleats are up and down instead of side to side if you will or vice versa). I'm not about to hack this tray and remove this guide even though I have a dremel that take care of it easily. I'll just wait for Fram or someone to make one that fits properly. The CF10285 will just go in to the CT so not a completely waste of a buy for me.
According to Amazon, This one from Fram should fit. Is this the one you bought?
For what its worth, I did buy some CF10285, not from Fram though, thinking it would fit but like you. I found it did not. As far as I can tell. Lexus changed the tray design and there is a guide in the middle of the tray that I assume keeps the filter in place and centered. This guide is actually flipped or the filter pleats are flip so it will not go in and sit in the tray (Pleats are up and down instead of side to side if you will or vice versa). I'm not about to hack this tray and remove this guide even though I have a dremel that take care of it easily. I'll just wait for Fram or someone to make one that fits properly. The CF10285 will just go in to the CT so not a completely waste of a buy for me.
The Cabin Air filter needs to be changed about 1/year. The vehicle cost is $40K US$+. Is that extra $10 per year really that much??
I would say that it's more an issue of design or "nickel-and-dime"-ing. Why make previously compatible parts incompatible so you can squeeze out $10 for a brand known for ease of maintenance?
How to remove glove box to change cabin filter
For 30 bucks! 
