multivalve hard to turn

[aylad]

Jan, you must only have 1 finger, 'cause I only use 2

Ted

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[Poconos]

It's conceivable that something in the shaft is binding too and making it difficult to turn. Just means further disassembly, cleaning, and lubing with that same grease. There's usually an O-ring or two on the shaft that may need replacing too.
Al

[VickieC24]

We ran into this problem with our Hayward Multivalve. At first we took off all the screws and replaced tangled old 5-spoke gasket with a new one, but it didn't really make it much easier.

It appeared that the old valve wasn't allowing the mechanism inside to clear the gasket properly when the handle was compressed so we replaced the Valve Key, Cover and Handle Assembly part, (not the whole assembly) p/n SPX0710XBA17, and it was really easy to turn afterwards.

Just a note: We ran into a different problem afterwards. Each time we'd turn the handle to backwash and then return it to filter afterwards some water would continue to pump out the backwash hose. (First time this happened I had no idea until I saw the water level of the pool surprisingly low.)

We'd open the valve and check the gasket each time. Sometimes it looked fine, other times it needed to be reseated.

I found out by dealing with the Hayward tech support department that the gasket is supposed to be glue in on it's flat side to the bottom of the valve housing with a special adhesive. (3M Scotch-Grip Industrial Adhesive 4799)

I ordered it from the 3M store, since I couldn't find it locally, and it's been good since then.)

Good Luck -
Vickie