Jet air returns broken lock ring

[Jeffsp]

Hello, been a member here for a little bit but don’t usually post much. Had my inground pool installed 3 years ago. So far so good, except the other night, found one of my Hayward jetair returns not making bubbles. Went to remove it, and the 4 tabs broke off, so for now, it’s stuck in there with no way to remove it, and will need to be removed when I go to winterize in September/October. I will admit I made a homemade tool for removal using pipe. The lock ring is inset so there’s no real way to reach in there with your fingers to loosen it. It appears there are holes in it 180 degrees apart, so I’m considering sticking a set of long needle nose in there and trying to spin it, but before I wreck the thing more I wanted to see if anyone has had experience with this problem On these particularly returns. I don’t know how common these returns are so I included a photo of what type of return it is and the lock ring it uses.
also I apologize if this has been asked before. I tried googling it, but I will admit I didn’t explicitly search the forums for it.
Thanks all for any advice and help

 

[rphpool]

This might work:

Amazon.com: Hayward SP1419T Hydrosweep and Hydrostream Directional Flow Inlet Fitting Seat Removal Tool: Garden & Outdoor

Amazon.com: Hayward SP1419T Hydrosweep and Hydrostream Directional Flow Inlet Fitting Seat Removal Tool: Garden & Outdoor

www.amazon.com

 

[Dpm2013]

Hello, been a member here for a little bit but don’t usually post much. Had my inground pool installed 3 years ago. So far so good, except the other night, found one of my Hayward jetair returns not making bubbles. Went to remove it, and the 4 tabs broke off, so for now, it’s stuck in there with no way to remove it, and will need to be removed when I go to winterize in September/October. I will admit I made a homemade tool for removal using pipe. The lock ring is inset so there’s no real way to reach in there with your fingers to loosen it. It appears there are holes in it 180 degrees apart, so I’m considering sticking a set of long needle nose in there and trying to spin it, but before I wreck the thing more I wanted to see if anyone has had experience with this problem On these particularly returns. I don’t know how common these returns are so I included a photo of what type of return it is and the lock ring it uses.
also I apologize if this has been asked before. I tried googling it, but I will admit I didn’t explicitly search the forums for it.
Thanks all for any advice and help

Hello.
I have the same problem. Any update or advice on how to unscrew it.
Thank you

 

[Marlyn201]

Hello,
I've been searching the internet to find a solution for this problem as well.
Needlenose pliers didn't work, coat hangers bent, they don't sell a tool that has pins to fit in the holes and slots for the tabs( if any are still attached)
I must have tried them all.
I ended up making a tool to solve this frustrating issue.... works like a charm.

 

[calisoldier]

Hello,
I've been searching the internet to find a solution for this problem as well.
Needlenose pliers didn't work, coat hangers bent, they don't sell a tool that has pins to fit in the holes and slots for the tabs( if any are still attached)
I must have tried them all.
I ended up making a tool to solve this frustrating issue.... works like a charm.
View attachment 342691

Awesome! I need to make something similar. Do you know what part was used to make this?

 

[Ashb]

Hello, been a member here for a little bit but don’t usually post much. Had my inground pool installed 3 years ago. So far so good, except the other night, found one of my Hayward jetair returns not making bubbles. Went to remove it, and the 4 tabs broke off, so for now, it’s stuck in there with no way to remove it, and will need to be removed when I go to winterize in September/October. I will admit I made a homemade tool for removal using pipe. The lock ring is inset so there’s no real way to reach in there with your fingers to loosen it. It appears there are holes in it 180 degrees apart, so I’m considering sticking a set of long needle nose in there and trying to spin it, but before I wreck the thing more I wanted to see if anyone has had experience with this problem On these particularly returns. I don’t know how common these returns are so I included a photo of what type of return it is and the lock ring it uses.
also I apologize if this has been asked before. I tried googling it, but I will admit I didn’t explicitly search the forums for it.
Thanks all for any advice and help

Hey did you ever find a solution to this problem. I have the same issue. :/

 

[Wayne Leishman]

Awesome! I need to make something similar. Do you know what part was used to make this?