The rotor, seals, and washer on your softener are housed inside the main valve head. This article will instruct you on taking the valve head apart and swapping out those internal parts.
1. Bypass the water softener by pushing the handle in on the back of your unit. This will stop water from coming in or out of the softener while you work:
2. Unplug your softener from the outlet.
3. Remove the top cover:
a. On the back of the unit, unhook the two clips that hold the cover onto the tank below (see photo). Flex/pull the cover out and away from the system at these clips.
b. There are two similar clips holding the front of the cover on as well. Slide the cover towards you to release these clips, being careful not to disconnect any wires. It is normal for the plastic cover to produce some noise as it shifts and bends.
4. On the underside of the top cover, you will see a control board that houses the wire connections. If the board has a cover, squeeze both sides to remove it.
5. Follow the black and red Motor wires to a clear/white plastic connection and unclip. Remove the Wire Harness connector from the back of the board.
6. If you have a tank light on your unit (see photo above), follow those wires and pull the tank light up and out of the plastic rim. Place the whole top cover to the side while you work.
7. Locate the valve head. Remove the yellow screws outlined below. This will free the Motor, Motor Plate, and Switchbox.
8. Remove the 6-8 screws on the outside perimeter of the valve. If you haven't already, pull the metal gear off the valve cover (this piece is meant to be snug). Then, remove the valve cover and set to the side.
9. Place the new Valve Head onto the open valve and secure with the 6-8 perimeter screws.
10. Place the rotating cam into the valve head. Notice the center hole of the cam will fit perfectly onto the gray rotor stem sticking up through the valve cover. Push the cam onto the rotor stem until it is snug.
11. Notice the different letters printed on top of the cam - these represent the different valve positions. You’ll want to spin the gear (will be hard to turn), so that the Service ‘S’ mark is showing through the peep hole in the motor plate once it is reattached.
12. Reattach the switchbox, followed by the motor plate, and then motor on top to complete the valve.
13. Bring your top cover back over to the softener. Reconnect the thick red and black motor wires to the clear/white clip.
14. Plug the red wire harness connector back on the control board. The bottom of the red connector should be flush with the white plastic on the control board.
15. Reinstall the tank light bulb if applicable to your model. If you had a cover on the control board, snap that back on now.
16. Plug the power supply back into the outlet. You may hear the motor start to turn. After several seconds, it should click into its home position.
17. Take the system out of bypass and check for leaks over the next few hours. Once you've confirmed there is no leaking, properly reattach the top cover.