I have an old above ground pool. The return jet is pointing the wrong direction so the water rotates the wrong direction in the pool making the pool skimmer next to useless. It is completely non-adjustable and I would like to put on a normal modern one with an adjustable eyeball. How do I go about removing this stupid thing so I can replace it? I've attached a picture.
How do I replace this return?
- Thread starter dae3dae3
- Start date
There should be a nut on the outside, you will need a complete return fitting plus will need to cut the old one off and replumb in a new one.
I definitely don't see any screws or nuts. I've attached pictures of the outside also. How do I go about cutting it off without destroying the pool? I've searched youtube and google looking for some instructions but they are all on how to install a new return on a new pool that you're installing. Nothing about removing and replacing or even cutting a new hole for a new installation.
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You need to be sure you can find a replacement fitting first. The new fitting will require pvc plumbing. That old poly hose and clamp won’t work.
I personally would just take a rubber or plastic mallet and hit the side of the eye ball to get it pointed where you want. Metal staining has just made it tight to move.
I personally would just take a rubber or plastic mallet and hit the side of the eye ball to get it pointed where you want. Metal staining has just made it tight to move.
I was able to replace the eyeball. I found a local authorized dealer for the pool brand and their parts guy showed me how to do it. Basically, grab and hold onto the part outside the pool and turn the outer edge of the part inside the pool clockwise as hard as you can to bust it loose. Took a while but I eventually got it. The old parts were pretty much deteriorated to nothing after 20+ years. Me and probably 10 other people have tried to get it off in the past year.
Thanks for coming back and letting us know that you got it apart, and how you did it?
If you don't mind, can you tell us what the brand of the pool was?
Also did you replace it with the same kind?
If you don't mind, can you tell us what the brand of the pool was?
Also did you replace it with the same kind?
It is a Doughboy pool and is at least 20 years old. Fortunately for me they still haven't updated the design so I was able to get the parts to replace it once I found an authorized dealer. After removing the outer ring I replaced the eyeball and a plastic piece that goes inside it with new parts. The whole repair was about $10.
I would actually like to completely replace the whole thing with something with a better design but I have it in a functional state now so I'm just going to leave it for now. My pool skimmer actually skims now that the water is rotating around the pool in the correct direction and the pool looks much cleaner after just a few days. Not nearly as much junk on the bottom because it gets skimmed off before it can sink. I also think I'm getter a higher volume of water through the filter since the opening in the new eyeball is slightly bigger.