Is there any other way to replace the filter without taking off the damn plastic guard in the wheel well?

 

mmm... not unless you wanna take off the front bumper. taking the headlight off helps as well. actually taking off the headlight is one of the only ways, at least without pulling off the wheel and fender liner.

 

You don't have to take the whole plastic guard off. If you just undo the bottom clips and a couple on the front of the wheel well you should be able to pull the cover out of the way enough to get to the filter. There is no other way to do it. Removing the headlight and/or the front clip is NOT easier.

 

removing the headlight takes all of 3 minutes and it is easier...

 

absolutely, and you're unfastening bolts rather than those plastic body panel holders than never hold tight once you remove them

 

Thanks for the info guys I was hoping I could just take the headlight off and get to it that way because I really dont feel like dealing with that splash guard again