this is embarassing but I can't seem to figure out how to take it off in order to clean it. I didn't install it so I don't know how it went in.
I got under the car, removed a couple of screws and pulled the plastic guard aside. Then I loosened up the screw on the retaining metalic clip around the filter until it started moving freely. The filter then became loose but I can only slide it about 1" and then there 's something still holding it in place and it won't come out all the way. Like something is still inside preventing it from sliding out. How do you take this darn thing off?
I have 11k mi. on it but it doesn't look too bad. How often do you guys clean yours?

 

Ok this is easy you have the Adjustable velocity stack on your AEM so above that should be another clamp lossen that and the whole thing should slide off. Make sure you use a K&N cleaning kit along with K&N oil when you recharge it

 

thanks but I did that! I went to the other clamp next to it and loosened that too, but that didn't do anything! This black tube that slides into the filter actually has 2 clamps on it, and then the clamp on the filter itself is the 3d one. Do I have to remove this black tube with the filter on it, and then try and remove the filter from the tube while I have it all out? I still need to take the filter off this tube, don't I? I can't clean it and rinse it with this tube attached. I think I should be able to take it off without removing this black tube it attaches to..
I have the K&N Recharger kit, thanks

 

Ok tighten the bottom clamp and loosen the 2 top clamps a bunch then play with it gently and it should loosen up on yah

 

I used a chain saw to remove mine once upon a time.. came off pretty easy actually.. LOL just funnin....

 

Hey harry.

We got our AEMs at about the same time so they should be the same. The filter and the black rubber part are 1 piece with the new-style AEMs...you take them off the siver tube together. The pipe of the AEM has a slight protrusion on the end so that the filter assembly doesn't slide, but it should only take a little effor to slide the filter off.

Steps:
1. loosen the 2 brackets with a screwdriver
2. slide the filter/stack assembly off the metal tube
3. clean the filter with the K&N recharge kit

 

Thanks Steve! I had a feeling I 'd probably have to remove the black tube that the K&N is attached to. This tube is hard plastic though and not rubber like you mentioned. It goes into the silver AEM intake.
This seems harder to remove from the bottom of the car because it is behind the bigger splash guard and I can't get to that clamp screw that attaches to the silver pipe without removing more splash guard crap.
So once I have the whole assembly out then all I have to do is pull the K&N out? But why won't it come off now that I 've loosed up the clamp on the K&N? I put almost all my strength into but it was an akward position since I was on my back and probably didn't have enough strength to get it over that protrusion..