How To Repair a Hayward Navigator or Pool Vac Ultra Pool Cleaner

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If your automatic pool cleaner is not operating efficiently, it may be time to replace the parts that are designed to wear. If you see significant wear on your cleaners shoes, wings or flaps, replace these parts to improve performance, and to prevent damage to the more costly components.

Click Here to View Hayward Navigator Replacement Parts

Video

Step by Step

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Step 1

Turn your Navigator/Pool Vac Ultra pool cleaner over and look at the cleaner's shoes. The picture at left shows an example of badly worn shoes. When the shoe is pushed up against the end of the pod, the shoe should extend above the surface of the pod or the pod will start to rub against the pool floor. This shoe should have been replaced before the surface of the shoe had worn below the surface of the pod.

Click Here to View Hayward Navigator Replacement Parts

Step 2

This picture shows a Navigator/Pool Vac Ultra with new shoes. Note how far the shoe extends above the pod surface.

Step 3

Next inspect the Navigator/Pool Vac Ultra's wings for wear and cracks. There is a wear line on each of the wings. When you can no longer see this line, replace the wings. The picture at left shows an example of a badly worn and broken wing. At 1, the wing has worn through by the peg that holds it in. At 2, the hole in the wing has worn to the point of breaking. Not shown - the tip of the wing has worn beyond its replacement line.

Step 4

Now inspect the Navigator/Pool Vac Ultra's flaps (rear and front) for wear and cracks. The picture at left shows an example of a worn rear flap that needs to be replaced.

Click Here to View Hayward Navigator Replacement Parts

Step 5

When replacing Navigator/Pool Vac Ultra parts, consider purchasing a pool cleaner tune-up kit. If one set of parts requires replacement, it's probably a good time to replace all of these parts. This kit includes a set of 4 shoes, a set of 2 wings, a set of 2 flaps (front and rear) and a screwdriver and brush to install the parts. When you purchase this kit, check to make sure you purchase the kit with the correct shoes. Shoes for concrete or gunite pools are different than shoes for fiberglass of vinyl pools.

Step 6

For ease in replacing these parts, disconnect the pool cleaner from its hose. Pull the hose straight off to avoid breaking the internal gears.

Step 7

To replace the shoes, first turn the navigator on its back. Then insert a screwdriver between the shoe and the pod to pry the shoe off.

Click Here to View Hayward Navigator Replacement Parts

Step 8

Next dip a new shoe in the water for lubrication and press it onto the holes in the pod. Note, the two plugs on the shoe fit into two different size holes, one bigger that the other. This ensures that the shoes are properly attached. Press until you feel it snap into place. Repeat for the other three shoes.

Step 9

To remore the wings, first remove the plug above the wing from the pod.

Step 10

Remove the old wing by bending it slightly and lifting it off their hooks on the pod. Note: If any of the wing hooks are broken, you will have to replace the pod. See other "How To Guides".

Click Here to View Hayward Navigator Replacement Parts

Step 11

Place a new wing onto the pod hooks. There are markings for "R" or "L" on the wings and each pod. Make sure these match up.

Step 12

Replace the pod plug and tap then into place with the screwdriver handle. Repeat this process for the other wing.

Step 13

To replace the rear and front flaps, insert the screwdriver between the flap and the lower body, near the pivot point of the flaps. Gently pry the flap pivot point out or the hole in the body and slide the flap out. Repeat to remove the other flap.

Click Here to View Hayward Navigator Replacement Parts

Step 14

Note that the new flaps are marked "Rear" and "Front". Make sure to install the proper flap in the front and real of the unit. The rear of the unit has the screen in it. When installing the front flap, be sure that the extended leg of the spring is inserted into the notch on the front of the lower body. Push the flap in place so that the pivot nibs engage the pivot holes in the body. Fold the flap in towards the bottom of the cleaner. There will be some resistance until the flap snap into place. Check that the spring is in place and that the spring action works freely.

Step 15

When installing the rear flap, make sure that the spring leg is placed on the cam on the rear flap adjuster. As the rear flap is pushed into place, it will snap into its normal operating position. Check that both flaps move freely and that they both spring up.

Step 16

Turn the Navigator/Pool Vac Ultra right side up and look at the lower left side of the unit. Look for the blue rear flap adjuster, a round knob about the size of a pencil eraser with an arrow slot. You will see the Roman numerals I, II and II around the adjuster. With a screwdriver turn the slot so that its arrow points to the II. This is the normal operation level for the cleaner. I setting slows the Navigator/Pool Vac Ultra down if it's climbing the walls or sticking in corners; III setting speeds the Navigator/Pool Vac Ultra up if it can't climb the slopes.


Step 17

Use the long-handled brush from the kit to clean the screen at the rear of the Navigator/Pool Vac Ultra. This screen allows water to flow into the Navigator/Pool Vac Ultra's steering mechanism. If the water flow is obstructed, the Navigator/Pool Vac Ultra steering cannot function properly.

Click Here to View Hayward Navigator Replacement Parts

Comments

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(1 to 40 of 156)

 Posted: 5/7/2019 

Hi there. My Hayward pool vac is not climbing up the walls all the way. I tested the pressure, which is fine, and recently replaced pods and shoes. Any thoughts as to why this is happening?
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 5/7/2019 

Hello Linda - suction cleaners like the Hayward Pool Vac are sensitive to changes in flow rate. A few of the top causes for a dip in pump suction are the skimmer basket, pump strainer, and filter need cleaning; skimmer vac plate is not sealing; pump hoses have pinhole leaks that pull in air.
 Reply

 Posted: 4/23/2019 

I have a new navigator pro. Used twice. It moves straight ahead and climbs up the wall but never turns. I have freed up debris from the gear/turbine dealie, and adjusted the suction on I II and III. I bought this to make cleaning the pool easier NOT to make a different and longer lasting chore. Help.
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 4/24/2019 

Hello Bob - You mentioned cleaning out a "gear/turbine dealie". Did you clean out the gear box? A small piece of debris can get stuck in one small gear and that will prevent the cleaner from turning.
 Reply

 Posted: 1/24/2019 

I need to know what type of feet to use on a pool that is concrete underneath, but has been coated in fiberglass. Currently the old worn down ones are yellow-ish. They are not clear /white and they are not cork. The pool fiberglass is slippery, which do I choose so that the vac can make it up the sides of this very deep pool?
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 1/24/2019 

Hello Lacey - Hayward recommends the cork shoes for fiberglass pool surfaces.
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 8/22/2017 

Eileen - If you have diverter valves, try closing off the main drain a bit to provide more water flow to the navigator. This should make it more faster on the pool floor. And the "leader" hose is designed to fit into the top of the cleaner. Also, see Step 16 of this guide. Set the green adjuster to the III level.
 Reply

 Posted: 8/19/2017 

Reading all comments below they all seem to have like problems to my cleaner. I also have the navigator with good pressure, but it will not move & it is brand new. My Is it like that with all of the cleaners or is this something unique?? What is the difference between the cleaner hose & the lead hose?? My lead hose had a small crack when it came a couple of weeks ago, but I cannot see any difference between the 2. No problem I used the "leader" hose from my old pool vac x l. Though I really don't see a difference between the 2.
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 7/12/2017 

doug b - See Step 14 again. Once the front flap is inserted into the body and the spring is inserted into the notch, fold the flap in towards the bottom of the cleaner. There will be some resistance until the flap snaps into place.
 Reply

 Posted: 7/10/2017 

have put on the new front flap but it still wants to extend straight out and not stay in the down position. is it possible that i now need the piece that it connects into, like the housing?? Thanks
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 4/8/2017 

ZB - Not sure what is going on here. The same water flow that makes the cleaner move provides the suction to pull up the debris. If you didn't have that suction due to some obstruction in the water flow path, your cleaner would not move. Try calling Hayward on this one at 866-722-2100.
 Reply

 Posted: 4/3/2017 

My vac moves fine throughout the pool, however this last weekend it started not picking up any of the debris on the bottom of the pool. Out here in West TX there is a fair amount of dust that gets in the pool each day and having this little guy work for a few hours usually does wonders. Now he is just cruising around and not picking anything up.
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 1/19/2017 

Les - You might check the A-Frame Assembly that makes the feet move. Sometimes it binds up when any pressure is put on it. See our guide on "How To Replace the Navigator Pool Cleaner A-Frame Assembly".
 Reply

 Posted: 1/18/2017 

My Hayward Vac XL is only a few months old. Holding it under water everything appears to run great. Those little feet are moving very fast. As soon as it touches the bottom of the pool nothing moves. It just sits there. I've changed the RPM of the pump trying from 700 rpm to 3200 rpm. No change. I had the pads and the wings replaced just in case. Still nothing.
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 12/5/2016 

Mark c - It sounds like you may be right at the edge of required suction pressure so that any resistance in the line (like a cartridge) may reduce the suction pressure to the point that will not support the cleaner. If you have diverter valves to control water sources from the pool to the pump )skimmer, main drain, cleaner suction port), try adjusting the flow so that more suction can be diverted to the cleaner port. Also, check to see if your pump impeller is clogged. See our guide on “How to Clean out a Pool Pump Impeller”.
 Reply

 Posted: 12/1/2016 

My pool sweep was barely moving. I had a guy out, he remove the filter and the pool sweep started flying. He said I needed a new filter. I went and bought a new filter, put it in and it ran slow again!! what is wrong with this thing?
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 10/11/2016 

TerriB - If your cleaner has a adjustment screw like the one shown in Step 16, try that. Otherwise, try adjusting your diverter valves to reduce the flow from the main drain or skimmer and increase flow to the cleaner.
 Reply

 Posted: 10/7/2016 

I have a brand new Hayward diver Dave that moves very slow if at all and turns left to right I have a 2hp pump running it any help ??? Is there a way to adjust it ?
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 9/25/2016 

Tony Lo - It sounds like you have a leak in your hose. Check the connections in your hose for cracks. Then take one section of the hose out and see if that improves suction. Repeat for the other sections one at a time. This should help identify when and if you have a leak in your hose.
 Reply

 Posted: 9/21/2016 

Here's what's happening with my Hayward navigator at this moment. When I attached the holes to the skimmer port and I select skimmer only on the manifold and shut off the main on the bottom of the pool I get 20% suction not 100% suction with or without the navigator attached to the other and of the holes. Basically when I put my navigator in the pool with everything attached and manifold selection on skimmer only it does not move. I have so far replaced the gearbox, new A-frame, and new turbine. And I still get no movement from the navigator and no suction coming through the hose. But, when I disconnect the hose assembly and navigator from the skimmer port I get tremendous pressure 100%. Also if I select both main and skimmer suction is fine no problem. What else can I change? Do you have any suggestions? I have also inspected the hoses took them apart found no obstruction in the hose. Perhaps there may be loss of suction from all the connecting sections of the hose? Hope you can help
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 6/29/2016 

pg - There are several gears inside the Navigator that control its turning. See our guide on "How To Service the Inside of a Hayward Navigator Suction Cleaner". A good candidate is the Gear Box Assembly - step 12.
 Reply

 Posted: 6/28/2016 

My pool vac ultra is moving around the pool correctly but the hose is twisting. I was told maybe the hose had a leak in it so I replaced every section and it is still twisting ?? I'm wondering if the mechanism in the unit that attaches to the hose is moving properly as it turns in different directions around the pool ??
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 6/6/2016 

Gamera - It sounds like there might be something stuck in the throat of the XL. Try attaching the cleaner hose to a return port to blow the obstruction out backward. If that doesn't work, you may have to take the lower section of the cleaner apart.
 Reply

 Posted: 6/5/2016 

My XL stopped working. There is suction all the way through the hoses to the cleaner but when I attach the hose to the cleaner there is no suction on the bottom of the cleaner and no movement. It happened all of a sudden. What is wrong? Thank You.
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 5/23/2016 

Navigator circles - Here is one possible solution from a previous customer:
"My problem was that the cleaner was not turning, so would get stuck against the wall or corner. It turned out that there was a tiny string stuck in the gear box. I just opened the gear box, then carefully removed the stack of gears, making sure I kept track of the order. After cleaning out the debris, I reversed the process. After I was done, I was able to blow into the gear box and hear the spinning sound, as described. I suspect that some people are replacing their gear box, when it really just needs to be cleaned out."
See our guide on "How To Service the Inside of a Hayward Navigator Suction Cleaner" for detailed instructions.
Another solution might be to take the curl out of your cleaner hose. Lay the hose straight on the pool deck and let the sun heat it up for half a day.


 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 5/23/2016 

I changed out every replaceable parts, yet the pool cleaner goes around counter clock wise in fairly small circles. Why.
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 5/9/2016 

KHALED - Unfortunately, we do not sell the springs separately. You might see if a local pool store might have them from previous repairs that they might give you.
 Reply

 Posted: 5/8/2016 

ARE POD SPRINGS SOLD SEPARATELY? IF YES WHAT IS THE KIT NUMBER
THANKS

 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 3/23/2016 

Sean - First swish your cleaner from side to side to remove any air trapped in it. Then check your hose for leaks by removing a section at a time. Then look at our guide on "How To Service the Inside of a Hayward Navigator Suction Cleaner" for other clues on what might be wrong.
 Reply

 Posted: 3/22/2016 

My Poolvac has had most everything replaced within past year including pods. All replacables look OK now. But the poolvac hardly moves. It appears to be doing a kind of nose dive as though hanging up in the front. Flow pressure is within norm. Took unit apart - nothing inside and all parts seem to be fine. What is likely culprit?
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 3/18/2016 

Marianne - I doubt that you need new bearings. You and your neighbors would hear them failing. If your cleaner ran well last summer, you probably have a problem with low water flow. Try switching the inlet side of the hose from the suction port to a return port to blow any debris backwards out of the cleaner. If that doesn't work, look at our guide on "How to Correct Low Water Pressure in Your Pool System". Also, if you have a cartridge filter, try running your system without the filter to see if that improves flow significantly. If so, you might replace the filter.
 Reply

 Posted: 3/17/2016 

Yesterday, I had my Hayward pretty much rebuilt (ALL, except bearings, which they said were ok). I had my pump cleaned for the summer. My vacuum is running VERY slow. Any suggestions??? Do I possibly NEED new bearings? I live in AZ. I don't need algae!!!
 Reply

 Posted: 10/1/2019 

On one tube video they showed a blue knob on the side of the unit that you turn with a screwdriver has 3 positions 1is slow 2 is normal speed and 3 is fast you may be on number 1
 Reply

 Posted: 10/9/2019 

I will take a look. I did some work on it and it is working fine now, but your information is useful. Thank you.
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 10/13/2015 

Jerry - See step 29 in our guide on "How To Service the Inside of a Hayward Navigator Suction Cleaner". If that solve your problem, you might take your cleaner apart again using this guide.
 Reply

 Posted: 10/12/2015 

My navigator gets stuck in corners, for ever and tends to topple over for a while at times. I have completely disassembled it including the gearbox and examined all the gear parts. Can't see any obvious signs of damage or wear. Any ideas? Thanks.
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 9/28/2015 

jim - If your cleaners hose has a tendency to coil, try straightening it out on the pool deck in full sun for a day to "reprogram" it. This guide shows you how to determine if the shoes are good. Also you might also check the bearings. See our guide on "How To Replace the Navigator Pool Cleaner A-Frame Assembly".
 Reply

 Posted: 9/27/2015 

Hi
My vac is stalling while it travels and the hose is curling at times just after the robot connection. took it to a dealer, they disassembled cleaned somewhat inspected but still doesn't work. The pads seem ok however I don't know whats good versus bad. Any help?

 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 8/18/2015 

I had put all new parts on my Hayward Navigator and it still wasn't working right. I asked what to do because it kept falling over and not being able to right it's self. This site told me exactly what to do. Thank you so much.
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 8/9/2015 

Vicki-Lynn - Two of the more common reasons for a stalled Navigator are worn A-Frame wheels and worn Turbine bearings. Both are inside your Navigator. To inspect these parts and possibly replace them, see our guides on "How To Replace the Navigator Pool Cleaner A-Frame Assembly" and "How To Replace the Navigator Pool Cleaner Main Turbine Bearings".
 Reply