Many people on SL.com with the K&N CAI have experienced the breaking of the mounting bracket....

I've recently become one of those people.

My bracket broke a couple weeks ago. So, when I finally get some time to fix the bracket, I notice that my stupid K&N has a small hole chipped into it from where it was rubbing/bumping on the wheel well. Not to mention that its scratched up and looks terrible. And it was only driven that way for a couple days...

So, I contacted K&N via their website and asked for a warranty replacement on the lower pipe. Since so many people have had this problem - and so few with other intakes have - its obvious that it's a design flaw by K&N. Where too much pressure is exerted on that support bracket....

I feel that its right for me to ask for a replacement in this case... I dont want any un-filtered air to come into my intake through the chipped hole. I have some sticky velcro over the hole now to protect it and hopefully cover up the hole, but that is a BS hack of a fix...

So far i've received no reply from K&N - and i'm very dissappointed about that. It's been nearly a week. I know they have quick responses because i have contacted them before through the website. I feel like i'm being ignored, and its very frustrating.

If I dont hear any thing soon - i'm going to say screw K&N and buy an Injen CAI. Now that my bracket is fixed and more sturdy... If K&N would just respond I would spread the word on how they have great customer service and are always willing to help (which i'd love to do) - but so far all i have to spread is lack of response on their part.

K&N if you're listening, i'd like to stick with your product... but I need some help on your part.

 

I would try calling them.

 

I thought about that... I'll give them till tomorrow to respond, then i'll call. I put alot of work into writing them an email, (i put links in it to all the threads i could find on SL.com about the bracket breaking.)

We'll see what happens.

 

I am also a victim of the mounting bracket flaw. Mine also broke the nut off in the wheel well so I had to fix that too. Good luck with K&N dispute.

 

I see what you are saying, it just seems to me that it takes a long time to get any response from an email (if any). Good luck!

 

I hope the bracket doesn't break on mine. I looked at it yesterday and it's cracked, but it didn't quite snap yet. I guess I'm going to have to weld a new piece on soon.

About the rubbing on the fender problem: I have it also but I fixed it with a small piece of rubber in between the fender and intake, you can't see it at all and it doesn't rub anymore.

I think K&N kind of rushed this intake out because it was the first one on the market for a tC.

 

IMO, they all suck in the fact that they mount there.. they should not mount any of them to that peice to start with.. even with a rubber bushing. The stock airbox is mounted in two other places, so it doesnt put that much stress on that point , since it is not moving with the engine.

Keep in mind, a CAI is looks and sound.. that is really it. Mine was free, and I liked it for those reasons, but obviously felt no effect with or without it. So mine is in a box right now. It also almost rubbed a hole in the pipe. Once the bracked breaks, it begins bending the other bracket in the fender well, it rattles, it potetially wears holes in it.. etc. It is just terrible engineering all the way around. I thought about making a good bracket that actually ties to the fender where the stock holes are, and then using a nice soft bushing to make it flex without breaking.. but that is not high on my priority list for something that does little to nothing but look and sound good.

Sorry more people have had the issue.. but it is common with the K&N, and I have heard of it happening with the Ingen, just not near as often.

 

I have had the CAI for almost a year now and have no issues with it at all. Maybe the luck of the draw there.

 

Go AEM.. it's pretty much identical to the TRD CAI but like half the price.. I installed it myself, fits perfectly, looks extremely sturdy and sounds awesome (above 3k rpms)...

 

Just wait... it will bend... then crack... then break... I fi had it to do over again i would weld a piece over that bracket (or JB weld) right from the get go to give it some more strength.

Still no word from K&N. if nothing by tomorrow, i'm calling.

Will keep all posted.

 

Mine broke too, among other problems I had with it such as missing pieces. After quite a conversation, I got them to take it back for a full refund.

 

whats the dealer charging for the cracked piece?

 

good thing AEM comes with a lifetime warranty.

 

its the piece from the car thats breaking not the intake.

 

Yep, it is the bracket on the motor mount.. not the bracket of the actual CAI. The issue is that they designed the CAI's to mount to a point not made to support a moving peice like that. The stock airbox has two other mounting holes other than that one, that keep it steady so it does not do this.

As far as what the dealer is charging.. I would say quite a bit, since you have to replace the entire motor mount if you want to replace that bracket.. it is all one peice. As mentioned, the best bet would be to do what I did and take the intake off your car or build a proper mounting bracket adapter to make it work.

 

I agree you don't feel much of a difference but you do gain 6whp from a K&N CAI.. It's not much but it's something.

 

Possibly, but it is over a very small part of the band.. which is even more reason you dont feel it.. and why it will do next to nothing to help on a track.

Manufacturers feed off the lack of knowledge people have in the realm of "area under the curve". They produce something that may hurt in some areas, produce a higher peak at one small part of the curve, and make people feel that it is really helping something, when in reality thier times are getting no better.

I pay no real attention to peak dyno numbers, and even less to manufacturer claims.. which are typically WAY off from real world numbers.

but either way, the intakes are nice for the other reasons I mentioned, if those things are worth the dough to people. Its just too bad that these companies rush out under-engineered and obviously under-tested parts to people just to make another buck.

 

im glad im not the only one i also never got the first bracket in mine they never responded to me about sending me a bracket for the first one

 

I broke the upper mount on the car, not the actual CAI itself. where the 90 L bracket comes down to a rubber bushing then to the car, i broke where that attaches. no biggy as long as the lower mount doesnt break i guess.

 

the bolt on the lower one broke 2