Polaris Idler Wheel Replacement

Title: Polaris 280 Idler Wheel Replacement
Published: 07/21/2022
Thank you for checking out our video.
In this quick video, we’ll show you how to replace the Idler Wheel on your Polaris 280 pool cleaner.
Like most of our mechanical devices, your pool cleaner will require periodic adjustments, routine maintenance, and replacement of certain parts. For anyone that has one of these cleaners you probably already know what a workhorse it is.
We run ours twice a day and it does an excellent job of keeping much of the debris picked up. Depending on the size of your pool and surrounding conditions, you should adjust your pool cleaner accordingly.
One thing that I strongly recommend is to keep a small bin or container of minor spare parts on hand. The cost won’t be too excessive and when a minor part breaks or needs replacing on your pool cleaner, you’ll be ready to replace it, and will be able to keep your pool crystal clean and ready to use.
Some replacement parts are expensive so it might be difficult to keep them on hand but most of the parts can be purchased online and you’ll be able to get them pretty fast. You can check out our Amazon links below or go to our Amazon store for a more detailed list of parts for pool cleaners.
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[@okiejrb]

Thanks!!!! Your videos are so helpful I can’t even tell you how much ❤ Q: my idler wheel has one side, too small for a ball bearing, and the other side too big for the ball bearings… And even if I could get them in there, the center of the ball bearing is smaller than the part I would slide the wheel onto… Therefore, I just put it back without ball bearings in it… The sweeper is working, but I wonder if either I have a different model of the 280 or if this is just a temporary working right now and it’s not as efficient as it could be. I took a video of the pieces and trying to put them together, but I don’t see how to post it here .

[@diycollaborative]

Sounds like it might be a different model or has the wrong idler wheel perhaps. Email us at [e-mail]

[@markchambers3414]

Great video. I have replaced a bad wheel because of worn gear grooves and all of the wheel bearings. The wheels all turn manually out of the pool. When I put it in the pool the wheels do not turn. The backup valve works and the tail moves side by side. I've checked the small hose that spins the impeller wheel and that is all functioning. Is there anything else I need to consider?

[@diycollaborative]

You might check the idler wheel/gear on the side. Should be the small one, between two large wheels. It also has a spring to help keep tension. Also make sure the unit is getting pressure from the booster pump. Disconnect the hose from the top of the Polaris and turn on the booster pump. There should be a good amount of positive water pressure coming out. We recently had one where the impeller wheel was snapped off inside the volute inside the booster pump. The pump still ran and put out some water pressure, but not enough to propel the unit in the pool. The Polaris is pretty easy to work on which sounds like you already know. Just keep digging and you will likely find the issue. You may even need to open the case of the actual unit and look inside at the gears, etc., inside. We’ve also replaced some of those parts over the years. These are basically good units, regardless of what some say. We got one unit going on 20 years of use now. Hope this helps. Thank you for watching and commenting. We appreciate this. 😎

[@markchambers3414]

@@diycollaborative I went through the incoming water flow path and found there must have been some small debris in the hose going to the impeller wheel. Once I flushed it I was able to start reassembling it and running a high stream from a hose to make sure there was nothing else causing the issue. Once totally assembled put it back in the pool and it is running like a champ. Thank you.

[@diycollaborative]

@@markchambers3414 That’s great news. Appreciate the update.

[@lucybowers5520]

What is the purpose of the split rings on the tail? Do they help it move?🤷‍♀️

[@diycollaborative]

When the unit is on and the tail is sweeping, it rolls on the split rings. If they are worn down or missing, the tail may get a hole in it from rubbing on the surface. Hope this helps.

[@lucybowers5520]

My question about spacer wheels showed up on the wrong video, but i still want an answer.

[@diycollaborative]

What was your question? Not sure we saw it?

[@mguerramd]

I put a dab of Magic Lube on the screw threads. I also pack those bearings with it.

[@diycollaborative]

That works. 😎

[@LupeSchoenberger]

I ordered the plastic undercase for my polaris 280 but it did not come with the wheel or spring etc... How do I replace all this stuff?

[@diycollaborative]

Many of the parts have to be ordered individually. Search Amazon and you should be able to find it. You might look online for the 280 parts manual, find that part number and search for that. I think that little wheel, spring, bracket is a kit.

[@kathya5569]

The whole wheel fell off my Polaris, I guess some bracket and screw fell off and I can't find them. I have no idea how to put the entire wheel back on. Any advice?

[@diycollaborative]

Is it the idler wheel or one of the others? Try looking at this Polaris parts manual. www.polarispool.com/-/media/zodiac/global/downloads/lp50.pdf Let us know… 😎

[@diycollaborative]

Or this. Not sure what model you have. www.manualslib.com/manual/594291/Polaris-280.html

[@kathya5569]

@@diycollaborative thank you for your response! It is the mode 280. It is the very front wheel on the side that has three wheels. The whole wheel came off, you can see the skinny gear that looks like a drill piece or something turning on the vacuum. A bracket and a screw fell off I guess because they were floating at the bottom of the pool. When I look at the wheel that was also at the bottom of the pool, the back has a grey bracket with two holes in it. I can't figure out how to get it back on. I think I am missing some pieces .

[@diycollaborative]

It sounds like it may be the axle. If so you should be able to remove the blue cover from the entire unit and reattach it if not damaged. I put a link in my first response to the owners manual that has a diagram of the unit showing all the parts. If you need to remove the cover, remove the bag, feeder hose and float. There’s a single screw at the back that attaches it to the bottom. After removing the screw you should be able to carefully lift the cover off to see where the axle attaches with two screws. It may be something else, but that’s what it sounds like. That little gear you mentioned sticking out is what engages on the inside of the wheel to move the unit when on. There should also be teeth on the inside of your wheel that line up with the small gear when the wheel is attached. Hope this helps.