Community Forums

mvintx · 07-17-2021, 02:08 PM

I want to replace the filters in my return ducts but I'd like to know if there's a technique to removing the round grilles. I can't get my fat fingers in between the louvers to get a good enough grip. Do I just pull them straight out or do they have to be rotated to a particular spot before pulling. Maybe a pair of needle nose pliers can be used?

I can see my gorilla technique would just break something.

scbwr · 07-17-2021, 02:24 PM

I think they are pretty much standardized. Mine just pull out....they can be a little stiff. The "filter" can be washed very easily. You can get replacements online. I'm thinking about getting an extra set so I can put clean ones in right away and wash the dirty ones, let the dry and just store for the next rotation.

Dutchstar411 · 07-17-2021, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mvintx

I want to replace the filters in my return ducts but I'd like to know if there's a technique to removing the round grilles. I can't get my fat fingers in between the louvers to get a good enough grip. Do I just pull them straight out or do they have to be rotated to a particular spot before pulling. Maybe a pair of needle nose pliers can be used?

I can see my gorilla technique would just break something.

Straight down, they hold in place in the center of the louver screwed to the ceiling, with angles at the top center shaft that hold it within the center round hole or the ceiling portion. When pulling down, they come together in the center and pull out. Try using two hands, finger sets, one on each side of the louver for your first pull. Once out you'll see what I'm trying to explain.

Skip426 · 07-17-2021, 03:55 PM

I'm always afraid that my old vents are brittle enough to snap if I just pulled on the grill , so I drop the whole vent and squeeze the two tabs to release the grill and filter . Yellow circle .

mvintx · 07-17-2021, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutchstar411

Straight down, they hold in place in the center of the louver screwed to the ceiling, with angles at the top center shaft that hold it within the center round hole or the ceiling portion. When pulling down, they come together in the center and pull out. Try using two hands, finger sets, one on each side of the louver for your first pull. Once out you'll see what I'm trying to explain.

Do you pull from the center or you try to pull from the edges?

wildtoad · 07-17-2021, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mvintx

Do you pull from the center or you try to pull from the edges?

Yes. Grab close to the center and pull straight down. Take the filters and wash them in warm water in the sink. Reverse process.

ByeTheWay · 07-17-2021, 04:37 PM

Mine pull straight down from the center or fins. Have not broken any in the process. One quick pull.

Mr_D · 07-17-2021, 04:44 PM

On our 2 Dutch Stars I just went to a local Fred Meyers store (Kroeger owned) and got sheets of cut to fit filter foam. A little work with some scissors and I had lots of filters.
Now have a Country Coach and did the same although the filters are much bigger.

mvintx · 07-17-2021, 06:51 PM

Thanks everyone. I'll have to gird my loins and go out there and start yankin'.

NCC-1701A · 07-17-2021, 08:14 PM

While they will pull straight down, I personally like to twist it a little as I pull down. Some seem to be a little harder than others to come out and a little rotation seems to help for me. I dislike those things, but they are what they are.

I kinda miss just popping in a standard 14 x 20 house filter for the basement central air in my prior two diesels.

hohenwald48 · 07-18-2021, 06:03 PM

Pull straight down from the center. But if you will turn them at the same time they let go without so much pulling force. Reinstall the same way. I do mine about once a month.

tom chelbana · 07-18-2021, 07:23 PM

Over the many years we have owned Newmar's have found that a twist before pulling down makes it easier and less chance of breaking the ears off. The ears seem to stick over time and by giving a twist makes the ears move to a new position and the vent cover comes off easier.
Newmar Man

mvintx · 07-19-2021, 03:14 PM

Alright, I did it. Thanks to all the suggestions, I'm a pro now. I managed to squeeze two fingers into each side, pulled and gave a twist and out they came. I thought I had 4 return ducts but there are 6. Good thing I ordered the 8-pack of RV Air filters. The stock filters are pretty wimpy...one had been sucked part way into the duct.

PetesMH · 07-19-2021, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mvintx

I want to replace the filters in my return ducts but I'd like to know if there's a technique to removing the round grilles. I can't get my fat fingers in between the louvers to get a good enough grip. Do I just pull them straight out or do they have to be rotated to a particular spot before pulling. Maybe a pair of needle nose pliers can be used?

I can see my gorilla technique would just break something.

They just pull straight off. Just keep pulling.