Just about every time I open the hood of my 99 (about weekly), I notice one or both of the latches holding the air filter housing are unlatched. They both look normal and they relatch just fine. However, they don't seem very tightly latched. And they don't stay latched.

Has anyone noticed this and is there some way to tighten these straps or change the latch tension?

 

its a common problem . I replaced mine with a cold induction

 

Yes, it's very common...and before anyone suggests using duct tape or spending money on an after market (your choice, but I'm answering your specific question)...
Remove the entire oem air intake assembly from the car by removing the worm screw clamp at the throttle body first. Remove the accordion duct from the throttle body. There are two rubber grommets on pegs on top of the radiator cover and two rubber grommets over pegs on the horizontal cross member behind the front bumper fascia.
Wiggle the rubber grommets off the pegs...do not remove the TORX pegs. Pull the grommets straight off the pegs. They may need a shot of lubricant...WD40 or WINDEX will work fine for the disassembly. Disconnect any wires to the MAF.
Once the assembly is off the car, you'll see that the ends of the straps have slight bends in them. You should also see where the ends should connect to.
Chances are the previous owner had the same problem and never addressed it correctly.
Bend the ends of the straps so they secure to the air intake assembly correctly. This will make them tight with sufficient tension that they will not come off in the future. The metal straps cannot stretch, they're just incorrectly positioned.
When you re-assemble the air intake assembly, apply some lubricant to the rubber grommets. I prefer white lithium because it will last a long time without drying out. It's the same stuff GM uses on latches/hinges.
When you re-assemble the air intake assembly, start at the cross member rubber grommets first. They should slide on easily with the lubricant. The attach the rubber grommets on top of the radiator cover. Connect any wires to the MAF and wiggle the accordion duct back on to the throttle body. Tighten the worm clamp at the throttle body. Double check everything.

 

Ive had this problem as have many others. Everyone suggest buying an aftermarket filter. But what if you want a stock one? I actually took pictures of this and how i fixed it, but because the forum is messed up i cant get to the pictures right now.

Bottom line is: aproximately 2 and 3 inches below the plastic latch, the metal strap bends over the plastic air filter housing. Unfortunately, there isnt enough bend in the metal strap and it puts tension on the strap and ultimately, a force on the latch that causes it to "pop" open. To fix this, i simply took a pair of pliers and bent each of the metal straps right where it meets the housing. It basically allows the strap to form right to the plastic housing rather than being bent by the housing.

 

OK:
Here is how mine looks after i tweaked it. Notice the bend i put in it.



You can put one bend along the red line, and if it doesnt already have one, one right at the arrow as well.


A side section i drew in paint kind of shows why this works...typically the metal strap doesnt have a bend in it, so when you latch it, it acts like a spring wanting to spring back to a normal position (which for our design is when the latch is open; not good). But when you put that bend in it it removes the spring tension and forces the metal to go where you want...which is a closed position. This is a basic section looking from the passenger side towards the driver side. Black is the filter housing and latch, red is the spring, blue is the force generated by the metal

 

I will try it - thanks!