If you need to replace your Distributor O-ring Kit, we’re here to help. The Distributor O-rings are located at the neck of your system. They seal the area between the Valve Head and Resin Tank. It may look hard to do this swap, but the process is easier than expected. Just take it one step at a time and you've got this.
Printing Tip: Expand all directions before printing.
Step 1 - Removing Current O-rings (Click to expand directions)
1. You’ll begin by bypassing your water softener. Push 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. Important step! Next you’ll depressurize the unit by running a Recharge cycle. Click here for instructions.
3. Now unplug the power cord from the outlet.
4. Gently pull one side of the black plastic c-clip away from the softener (pictured below.) Slowly roll it towards the other side of the c-clip to remove.
Struggling to remove the clips? They may be bound because the system is not completely level. Try to slowly and gently rock the softener back and forth slightly while applying pressure to the c-clip as described above to free them.
5. Once the clips are off, gently pull the softener away from the bypass assembly.
6. Remove the top cover. Click here for detailed instructions if needed.
7. Now it's time to remove the wire connections on the underside of the cover. Locate the control board (pictured below.) It's on the backside of the screen on your unit. If the board is hidden by a plastic cover, squeeze both sides of the cover to remove. Find and unplug the Wire Harness connector - a red plastic adaptor with 5 colored wires coming from it (in yellow below).
8. Locate the black rectangular motor on the top of the softener valve. There are thick black and red wires attached to the right side of the motor. Follow these wires and disconnect them at the white/clear plastic connector (pictured below.)
9. Next, we're moving down to the neck of the valve. Remove the two large white Clamps from the neck of the valve body, by releasing the clips that hold them together (pictured below). Grab the flat tab part of the clip and pull outward to unclip.
10. Place a hand on each side of the main valve head and wiggle it loose, pulling straight up and off. The wiggle motion will loosen the valve head from the tube beneath it, so you won't accidentally pull the riser tube out of the resin. Set the Valve Head aside.
11. Now, you'll remove the 3 O-rings. You should easily see 2 of them (like pictured below.) The small one is at the top of the Riser Tube and the larger, thicker O-ring is around the Top Distributor.
The 3rd O-ring is under the Top Distributor. Go ahead and lift the Top Distributor up carefully and you'll see the last O-ring there. Pull the Top Distributor up and out so you can take that ring off. If the ring accidently falls down into your tank, grab a metal hanger or something similar to grab it out of there.
Step 2 - Replacing New O-rings
1. Lubricate the new O-rings with a small amount of silicone grease.
2. Start by replacing the last O-ring you removed. When that's on, you'll want to set the Top Distributor back on the Riser Tube and make sure it sits securely.
3. Next, you'll want to put on the thickest O-ring around the top.
4. Slide O-ring #1 just over the top of the riser tube. It should only sit about a quarter inch down from the top of the tube.
5. With all new O-rings in place, reattach the main valve head by pushing it down onto the riser tube until you feel it connect with the resin tank.
6. Reconnect the large white clamps and clip them into place. They'll only fit on there one way.
7. Reconnect the softener to the bypass assembly with the two (2) black C-clips.
8. Plug in the red wire harness connector to the control board – make sure the wires are running away from the board. If you took a cover off the board at the beginning of these steps, reattach that now.
9. Plug the thicker red and black motor wires back together at the white/clear clip.
10. Plug the power supply to the softener back in.
11. Slowly pull the bypass back OUT. Watch for any leaks around the valve head and bypass assembly over the next several hours.
12. After you've confirmed there are no leaks, connect the top cover back on. Excellent work! You've now replaced your Distributor O-Ring Kit!
Please let us know if this article was helpful by voting below.