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How To Replace a Pod on a Hayward Navigator or Pool Vac Ultra

WRITTEN BY: Inyo Pools

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A Hayward Navigator or Pool Vac Ultra pool cleaner has two pods on the left and right side of the lower body assembly. The cleaner shoes and wings are attached to these pods and it is the back and forth motion of these pods that allows the cleaner to move. Periodically these pods become worn or cracked or the hooks that hold the wings on are broken off. When this occurs these pods must be replaced.

Step by Step

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Step 1

To remove the pods, first turn the cleaner right side up and, using a flat screwdriver, pry the pod plug off the right pod. This will expose the end of a hex screw that secures the pod to the lower body of the cleaner. Note: We have detached the lower body of the cleaner to show the connection of the pod to the A-Frame. You do not have to remove the lower body to replace a pod.

Step 2

Using a 1/4" hex socket wench, remove the screw from the pod. You will need a thin wall socket to reach the head of the screw. Keep track of the small washer that is under the head of the screw. It may be stuck at the bottom of the screw hole.

Step 3

The pod is attached to the square end of the right A-Frame. Pull the pod off of the end of the A-Frame.

Step 4

To attach the new pod, reverse the sequence described above. The pods are marked "R" and "L". Make sure you select the "R" pod. Press the new pod onto the end of the A-Frame. Secure the pod with the hex screw - make sure you include the small washer. Insert the pod plug and tap it in with the end of the screwdriver. Repeat steps 1-4 to replace the left pod.

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(1 to 13 of 13)

fred Posted: 11/8/2019

Anyone know how to replace the pod shoe springs?
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InyoPools Product Specialist Robert M. Posted: 11/11/2019

Hello Fred - Unfortunately, the pod springs are not sold as an individual replacement part. I imagine you'd have to use a pair of micro pliers in order to reinstall those springs.
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Merritt Island Posted: 2/15/2017

Thank you so much for this website and the ability to post comments. We live in FL so the pool is in use almost 12 mos a year. I am repairing 2 pool vacs myself; easy to find parts and equally easy to find instructions, thanks to your site!
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InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 8/17/2014

Pod repair kit - Thank you for your followup comment. Unfortunately we do not sell the parts inside the pod separately - only as included a set of pods in the "Pod Kit".
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Anonymous Posted: 8/17/2014

Each pod has 2 stainless screws holding them together.

Inside each pod there are 2 feet with 2 stainless steel springs (1 per foot).

Each foot has 2 blue bushings that rub against a shaft that's part of the pod.

Take apart a pod, and you'll see what I'm talking about.

The parts diagram doesn't break down the pod into it's component pieces, which I consider rather amazing considering that they're easier to take apart than the rest of the pool vac and that all the other little parts for the pool vac are available........
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InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 8/16/2014

Pod repair kit - We do sell a "Pod Repair Kit" but I don't see the blue plastic bushings you reference included in the package. Can you identify them by key number in this "Parts Diagram"?
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Anonymous Posted: 8/14/2014

Is there a pod rebuild kit (like the A-frame & turbine) ?

The wear items in the pods are 8 blue plastic bushings (2 per foot)

That would be a better solution than replacing the pods and could be done when doing the A-frame and turbine..........
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InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 5/21/2013

ChrisW - There are gears and other turbines further inside the Navigator that may be clogged or damaged. See our guide on "How To Service the Inside of a Hayward Navigator Suction Cleaner" for further information.
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ChrisW Posted: 5/20/2013

InyoPools: Great lessons on repairing/rebuilding the Navigator. I have an issue I hope your experience and expertise can diagnose... I rebuilt my Navigator - new aframes, turbine, pods (very difficult to remove, but finally got them off), wings, and flaps. I had replaced the shoes not too long ago, so re-used them. All appears to be working properly, but I get very little to no movement when cleaner hits the bottom. If it does move, it goes 8 feet, stops and does not move again.

Any ideas that can help?
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steamboat Posted: 6/3/2012

This will save me money so I do not have to buy a new pool cleaner
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Nav concrete Rick Posted: 6/18/2011

Hi, I've got two of the navigator concrete suction side cleaners. On both of them, I can get the right pod off but not the left. Fortunately in at least one of them (haven't tried the other one yet), replacing the right one only solved the problem. Woo Hoo! I love the cleaner a lot, it works gr8. I'm not gr8 at fixing things but found that the navigator is not really very complicated at all.
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InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 9/24/2010

If you have removed the screw (step 2), the Hayward Navigator pod should lift off easily. If not try prying the pod off GENTLY with a screwdriver where the pod is attached to the A-frame.
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Aspiring Posted: 9/22/2010

What if the pods won't pry off the A-Frame mechanism of the cleaner? I did all to the letter, but the pods just wont come off!
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