New pod shoes on Navigator, but it crawls along

[nabril15]

I replaced the concrete shoes on my Navigator, but I see that it behaves weirdly. It will sprint along, then suddenly stop, crawl, go, crawl, go, etc.
The impeller is clean and the pump basket is clean as well; the filter registers a normal pressure of 8 or 9 psi.

Is this happening because they're aftermarket pods? They feel real slippery to the touch.

 

[kadavis]

This symptom could be A frame, main turbine bearings or the pods themselves. If your familiar with the internal parts you may be able to repair yourself. I'm not fan of Leslie's Pool but if there is one near you they will replace worn parts for just cost of parts

 

[nabril15]

This symptom could be A frame, main turbine bearings or the pods themselves.

thank you @kadavis
I replaced the pods, and left the old shoes (which were 2 weeks old), and now the navigator navigates along like a sportscar.

Big thanks

 

[nabril15]

thank you @kadavis
I replaced the pods, and left the old shoes (which were 2 weeks old), and now the navigator navigates along like a sportscar.
Big thanks

I resurface this post since the behavior has returned again. I have placed new pods, replaced the A frame, checked pressure to be adequate (in the middle of that L-shaped plastic measuring tool), and the pump's basket is clean as well as the impeller. The cleaner sprints for 5 seconds or so, then halts and crawls along. Minutes later, it gets a sugar rush and sprints again. I have checked the pump and there is nothing that would stop the cleaner momentarily - a decrease in suction or anything.

Before, I shove a car key in my eye, what else can I try?? (it rhymes unintentionally...)

 

[peterl1365]

I've had this happen occasionally. There's probably no single reason, but I've commonly had to remove a small stone or twig that gets into the suction area and periodically jams the turbine. Sometimes, just some tall blades of grass may be enough to cause the turbines to slow down.
Also, as kadavis suggested, the main turbine and bearings might be the culprit. It's not obvious at first, but the shaft of the turbine and the bearing races can get worn down over a few hundred hours of operation. When these are worn, the cams on the turbines do not move the rocker arms as efficiently. The rocker arms are what ultimately cause the pods to oscillate.
I think the turbine/bearing kit is ~$30 at pool stores, but I bought an aftermarket kit off ebay for ~$16

 

[peterl1365]

Ironically, my navigator is barely moving as well. I'm getting some new shoes today and I'm hoping that does the trick.

 

[nabril15]

Ironically, my navigator is barely moving as well. I'm getting some new shoes today and I'm hoping that does the trick.

hey peter..i continue to battle with this. Now, the cleaner crawls very slowly, very. When I lift it up while running, I see that the turbine spins slower than in the past, yet the suction pressure is normal and within the range. I replaced the A frame at the beginning of the month, and I clean it weekly by taking it fully apart.
I'm tempted to just get a brand navigator, but that would be an expensive and dumb decision. I see that the vflex turbine and bearings kit is in the $30s, so I guess that I'll start there perhaps. In my hand, however, the bearings and turbine spine fine.