How To Replace The Shaft Seal On A Hayward Matrix Pump

The intention of this guide is to present the steps required to change the shaft seal and gaskets (if necessary). If your Hayward Matrix pump is leaking, it is likely the shaft seal on the pump has failed. A failed shaft seal can cause damage to your motor and should be replaced as soon as possible. 

1. First and foremost, make sure that power to the pump has been cut off. Unplug the pump if possible.

2. Disconnect the hoses by removing the hose clamp then sliding the hose off of the hose adapter. Place the hoses over the swimming pool wall so that the water doesn’t drain out of the pool.

3. Remove the pump lid by gripping the handles on the side and slowly turning the cover counter clockwise, then pulling up towards you. Once the cover is off, inspect the cover o-ring and replace if necessary. Remove the basket and drain any water inside of the strainer housing.

4. Next, we’ll need to remove the strainer. To do this, we’ll first need to remove the strainer basket to expose the c-clip that locks it into place.

5. Once the basket has been removed, simply pull it gently upwards towards you to remove it.

6. Pull the pump strainer housing straight out to remove it from the shroud assembly.

7. Once the strainer housing has been removed, the 8 screws that hold the pump cover in place are visible.

8. I recommend using a drill with a Phillips bit to remove the screws. It will make this part a lot easier. Once the screws have been removed, place them inside the strainer basket so they’re easy to find later.

9. Once the front cover has been removed, remove the end cap on the motor. There is one screw that holds it into place. You can either use a 1/4" socket or a flat head screw driver to remove it.

10. Move the cover to the side. The four thru-bolts should now be visible. Before removing the thru-bolts, we’ll need to remove the impeller.

11. With a flat head screw driver, hold the end of the shaft in place while spinning the impeller off of the shaft counter clockwise. Place it to the side for now.

12. Using a 1/4" socket, loosen and remove the thru-bolts. If you feel resistance, I would recommend stopping and contacting a professional. If the thru bolts snap, you may have to buy additional parts or a new pump. PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK.

13. Once the thru-bolts have been removed, the pump housing can be removed. Make note of the pump housing position before removing it.

14. Place the pump housing face down and use the tip of the screwdriver to push the shaft seal out. Be careful not to push on the plastic seat that the shaft seal sits in.

15. Once the ceramic half of the shaft seal has been removed, inspect and clean the pump housing making certain that the rubber seat of the shaft seal was removed as well.

16. Next we will remove the “spring” half of the shaft seal from the impeller. You can simply pull to remove it by hand.

17. If your impeller looks like this after that shaft seal has been removed, you still have one more step. Using the pliers, grip the remainder of the shaft seal and remove it by turning and pulling. Clean the impeller shaft and place it aside for now.

18. Lubricate the shaft seal seat inside of the pump housing. Using a clean paper towel, pick up the ceramic half of the shaft seal (do not touch it with your hands) and push it into place.

19. Once the shaft seal is in place, you can begin installing the pump housing back onto the motor. Line up the thru-bolt holes on the motor with the holes on the back of the pump housing.

20. With the pump housing in place, lubricate the shaft of the impeller. Install the other half of the shaft seal onto the impeller.

21. The black surface of the shaft seal should be facing you once installed.

22. Using the flat head screw driver, hold the rear end of the shaft in place and thread the impeller back onto the shaft.

23. Inspect the pump housing o-ring and replace it if necessary. Lubricate the o-ring before putting it back onto the pump housing.

24. Once the o-ring is in place, you can put the pump housing cover back on. Use the screws that you removed before to attach it to the pump housing.

25. Before installing the strainer housing, inspect the o-ring and replace if necessary Lubricate the o-ring before putting it back on.

26. Push the strainer body back onto the pump housing.

27. Look inside of the strainer and make sure that the groove for the retaining clip is fully visible.

28. Re-install the retaining clip inside of the strainer body.

29. Re-install the strainer basket and fill the strainer with water to prime the pump. Inspect the lid o-ring and replace if necessary, lubricate the lid o-ring then secure the lid to the strainer.

30. Turn the power on to the pump and check for leaks. If these are any leaks, turn off the power to the pump and repair the leak.

31. Your project is now complete and your pump should be as good as new.

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