I’ve been able to pull my filter out from the top. Looks like my Renix has more room than the HO. What im able to do is remove the filter, drop it down a little while holding on to it, let it fall straight up and down where you’re still holding on to it but the open end is looking at you and then you should be able to pull it up and out. The one thing that scares the hell out of me is coming in contact with the power wire from the starter. But otherwise that’s how I get my filter out.
I’ve tried the bottom way and I seem to get it stuck between the rail and engine. But I suppose you could get it out that way as well. Don’t see what not.