How to Repair or Analyze a Hayward Navigator Pool Cleaner that is Not Moving Correctly

Check out my updated video for hayward navigator. • Hayward Navigator Fix ...
Does your hayward navigator have problems moving around the pool or not move at all? This video will show you how to take it apart and what to check out. My issue was sand started causing the bearings to stop moving which made the vacuum go no where.

[@peternewman3847]

The situation you diagnosed was exactly the problem with my elderly lady neighbor's cleaner. Using your video as a guide I quickly took her unit apart and cleaned out the bearings. The plastic turbine shafts that the bearings ride on were a bit rough - I sanded them smooth and it is working like a champ now! I'm sure the pool store is going to be disappointed that she won't be buying a new cleaner. Nice job, Sir!

[@mitchcarlson4978]

Thanks for showing what you are doing above the camera so we can’t see. Loads of help. Did you watch the video before you uploaded it?

[@gman9801]

Nice picture of your screwdrivers, now if you would redo this with the unit in the picture

[@jacobczyz6207]

great job fixing the pool cleaner. 👍🏻🙂

[@tweetiebird]

I replaced all moving parts except the very top turnbine that allows the hose to rotate which rotated smoothly. These parts are all intwined with each other, so if one part fails they all fail to work properly as follows: little gear box connected to the black Turbine that has bearings, contected to the A Frame that has bearings, connect to and moves each Pod (feet), also each pod works in conjuction to each other (when one goes up, the other goes down) and needs good soles on the shoes and wings or it damages all the exposed parts in contact with the pool.. After doing all this, it was now moving but slow, so i bought new flaps and adjusted the side adjustment to 2 (that controls the blue bar position under the rear flap and controls tension). Before i hooked it up again, i bought a Hayward suction gauge, great little device and worth every penny. I hooked up a couple sections of hose only to the side of the pool (follow directions) and then you take the end of the hose and attach it to the gauge which has a C clamp to attach it to the first section of hose making sure you can see the min/max lines. Then I cleaned out all my baskets to insure max flow and turned on the pump, guess what I was at min suction level, so I went to my pool suction controls and adjusted it a fair amount, checked the gauge again and it was right in the middle between min and max, awesome. Now I hesitate for a moment before looking to see how the vac is working and I spot the hose on top of the water moving like all get out so I go check it out and it was a Hurrah the vac is moving like it's brand new. Also before putting vac in the pool, I double checked the pods were moving smoothly which they hung up every so often so I gently exercised them a bit so any plastic etc is smooth out (BTW, the bearings are water lubricated not grease or WD which you don't want to use that on it, so might account for that out of the water behavior too). I used all original Hayward parts you can find on Amazon and got them in 24-48 hrs. I am 70 and a women, so anyone can do this if you enjoy mastering something new and beating people out of gouging you for repairs then use cheap after market parts telling you it's fixed when you take it home and it still doesn't work and you go back and forth with them until they wear you down. The time I spend learning how this pool equipment works is time that will pay for itself many times over now. I even bought a 20.00 lifetime Craftsman rachet set, whoo hoo! One last thing, I replaced all my hoses too so all in I spent about 175.00 to rebuild it completely new vs 400.00 for a new one. That's the great part about Hayward vac all parts are replaceable! I will maintence mine once a year now before summer hits....it's a bear doing this in the heat of AZ. Tip I discovered the hard way, be sure you put the bearings for the Turbine in correctly; there is a grove you have to match to the case surrounding the bearings for them to be stable or they will not stay in play. Also you have to hold the base very still to put the cover back on without making them fall out again, it took me 2 or 3 times before I was sure they didn't move.

[@WVUTampaAlum]

Mine actually came with one of the suction gauges. Good tip... I think I did the same thing. My is running in the pool right now. I used to leave it in all the time and probably run it for days on end but we refinished the pool last year w/ a pebble and I really only get it out/use it when start getting leaves in the pool. I live in FL my pool is completely open -- no screens or anything.

[@dat295]

You might watch a couple other KZbin videos to see how this is done correctly. There was no reason to disassemble the pods for the turbine cleaning. Also holding the parts right side up would prevent the small pieces, bearings etc from falling out or get misaligned.

[@carlobaronetti6774]

It appears as though one of the blue bearing spacers fell off the unit as you were moving it around. Watch the last third of the video to see it.

[@cg1564]

Wish you could have placed the camera on the actual part as you explained what was wrong.

[@WVUTampaAlum]

Try my updated video I recommended in the Details section. Hope this helps more. kzbin.info/www/bejne/noi7oaacp5xjers

[@psfgtech]

If it’s a better version, take this video down- jeez

[@rski1036]

"but don't worry 'bout it ..." Why not, there are more gears etc. in there. You only patricianly disassembled it. Mine is not properly turning. Seems like there is something worn with the gear that causes it to revolve.

[@WVUTampaAlum]

R Ski check out my updated video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/noi7oaacp5xjers

[@rski1036]

Again. There is that gear box and there are others that contribute to it turning, but not addressed. I got the parts; now to figure how to replace them.

[@WVUTampaAlum]

R Ski last summer I did replace the little gear box that had the red plastic piece on top. Got the part from Amazon. I did take apart the old gear box first but very hard to troubleshoot that part. What is your question

[@flytebandtampa2499]

Ironically the part i wanted to see was where the blue piece fell. It was never addressed.

[@raymichaels6672]

I've replaced the a-frames, the transmission, and the feet and it still moves in a small circle

[@HeyMikey29]

Gear box needs to be replaced

[@raymichaels6672]

What would you check out if one pod moved a bit better than the other?

[@WVUTampaAlum]

How old is your navigator? The easiest thing would be the replaceable rubber feet. Maybe switch the left and right feet and see if any difference. I just uploaded a new video few days back on putting in a new aframe and bearing kit. Watch that video also (kzbin.info/www/bejne/noi7oaacp5xjers). Try the feet first and if that doesn't work open yours up and see if anything is worn a lot. In that link I posted I found when taking the old parts out one of my bearing on an aframe was completely gone. Let me know what find and good luck.

[@raymichaels6672]

My pool vac just works in a small circle and tangles the hose, the notch is worn off the slot for the bearings that may be the problem, the one pod works harder than the other.

[@WVUTampaAlum]

+Ray Michaels It sounds like you replaced everything. What notch is worn by the pod where blue washer goes or one of the black plastic bearings? I never had a transmision problem so that would have been my guess but you already,dis it. I really don't like the design of the cleaner with these massive amount of moving parts.

[@tweetiebird]

Sounds like it's tim to rebuild it if you had it for a few years. Mine works all year round when my varrible pump in on high speed only. You might have problem next week with something else fails and any integrated part that fails to work properly disrupt your vac from working properly

[@GidieeUp]

Can U explain wut that black ornamental steel grate insert, jus beyond the tips of your screwdrivers is ?? It would really help me to repair or analyze a problem with this pool device thing I'm tryi'n to fix that could or should be taken apart to look at a black spinning thing or some white piece of plastic .. er.. or red thing with sum notches in it... but don't worry 'bout it ... Does yer mommy know yer' using her tools you took from the kitchen drawer ?? Mr DIY Home Repair and Improvement guy ??

[@WVUTampaAlum]

+New GOogle name That is just part of the table. It can hold an umbrella. Try my latest video on navigator which might help for your issue. kzbin.info/www/bejne/noi7oaacp5xjers

[@stevenhorvath6860]

Nice picture of your screwdrivers, now if you would redo this with the unit in the picture. second opinion

[@WVUTampaAlum]

I completely agree with you. It didn't end up like I wanted. Well yesterday my navigator stopped moving again and multiple ball bearing were falling out of it. I ordered a full AXV621DAT Pool Vac A-Frame/Turbine Kit and I will re-film the video. I am 10 years in on my navigator and this is my first bearing replacement.

[@WVUTampaAlum]

New video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/noi7oaacp5xjers

[@tweetiebird]

@@WVUTampaAlum 10 years dang that's good. Nice thing all parts can be replaced and doesn't break the bank. I would of just rebuilt it and be done with it, parts and new hoses cost me about 175.00 also invested in a Hayward pressure guage tester too great little tool help me know I didn't have enough pressure and how much I needed to adjust it as you don't want the presure to high either. It had some frustrating moments, but worth the time I invested and a shout out to all you youtube video makers or this DIY wouldn't have been possible.

[@psfgtech]

Your camera needed adjustment, I’d like to see what your doing!

[@WVUTampaAlum]

I have a newer video linked in the description. Hopefully this is a little better for you. kzbin.info/www/bejne/noi7oaacp5xjers

[@rosemarywalker4675]

You need to hold it in front of the camera

[@aly1672]

terrible pictures of what you are doing. Can not always see what you are doing.

[@user.A9]

Audio not good.

[@PRGuanica]

Camara angle horrible

[@tweetiebird]

Darn, everything you're talking about I can see it's out of camera shot even when I expanded the screen !!!! So frustrating to watch this video when everything is out of view! If you can't do a video right, don't bother it's a waste of time to watch it.