[mffarrell]

Before I removed my air cleaner assembly, the air cleaner assembly was tightly secured. It wouldn't move up or down or side-to side.

There are two feet with rubber gromments on the underside that fit into two holes in the fender well, and one mounting bolt on top.

I reinstalled the air cleaner and now, it's definitely loose. I took it to the dealer and he said that the losseness is normal, even though I showed him two GTs on the lot with air cleaners tightly secured.

My air cleaner now is very loose. I don't think it's a big problem, but I was wondering if this is normal? It seemed when I removed it, the rubber grommets held it tightly into place.

Have any of you removed your air cleaner and reinstalled it with the same problem as mine?

Here are the instructions from the service manual:

303-12-1 303-12-1 Intake Air Distribution and Filtering

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

Air Cleaner

Removal and Installation

1. Loosen the clamp and disconnect the air cleaner
entering the engine. outlet pipe from the air cleaner assembly.
To install, reverse the removal procedure. • To install, tighten to 3 Nm (27 lb-in).

2. Disconnect the mass air flow (MAF) sensor
electrical connector.

3. Remove the air cleaner assembly bolt.
• To install, tighten to 8 Nm (71 lb-in).

4. NOTE: Make sure that the 2 rubber grommets
are retained to the air cleaner assembly feet.
Remove the air cleaner assembly.

5. NOTE: Make sure that the 2 air cleaner
assembly feet rubber grommets are seated into
the locating holes in the fender.

NOTE: The air cleaner outlet pipe should be
securely sealed to prevent unmetered air from

Copyright 2004, Ford Motor Company
Last updated: 7/29/2004 2005 Mustang, 12/2004

[5twenty]

Originally Posted by mffarrell

Before I removed my air cleaner assembly, the air cleaner assembly was tightly secured. It wouldn't move up or down or side-to side.

I reinstalled the air cleaner and now, it's definitely loose. I took it to the dealer and he said that the losseness is normal, even though I showed him two GTs on the lot with air cleaners tightly secured.

My air cleaner now is very loose. /2004

I've had my stock air cleaner on a couple times since I put on an aftermarket intake and I definitely noticed what you describe. The bolts are tight yet there are rubber bushings that give it some "give". I, too, thought it was looser than it was originally. But I also don't think it's a problem. It's not loose enough to hit anything and rattle, right? The bolts are tight so it's not going anywhere.

What did they say when you showed them the others that were tight?

[mffarrell]

Originally Posted by 5twenty

I've had my stock air cleaner on a couple times since I put on an aftermarket intake and I definitely noticed what you describe. The bolts are tight yet there are rubber bushings that give it some "give". I, too, thought it was looser than it was originally. But I also don't think it's a problem. It's not loose enough to hit anything and rattle, right? The bolts are tight so it's not going anywhere.

What did they say when you showed them the others that were tight?

What did they say when you showed them the others that were tight?

The mechanic and service advisor couldn't explain why. They told me to make an appointment. I am wondering if the initial tight fit was caused by the gromments sticking to the newly painted surface?

It just seemed a little weird that is was much tighter before I took the damn thing apart.