Zodiac MX8 Pool Cleaner. Wheels on only 1 side are turning

[poolschpool]

Hello,
I have a Zodiac MX8 pool cleaner which was running fine till a few weeks ago. A few days ago the wheels on one side of the cleaner stopped turning and the pool cleaner stopped running completely. When I pick up the pool cleaner both the paddles below the pool cleaner turn vigorously. I tried replacing both the tracks but that did not help either.

When I remove both the tracks the side drive shafts turn continuosly.

Then I removed the track on the left side and noticed that wheels on both the sides turn normally. But when I put in the track on the right side then pool cleaner stops moving. I am not sure why adding the track on the right side will cause it to stop turning. Any helps on debugging this further would be useful as well.

 

[needsajet]

How old is it?

There's a rebuild kit available, but for me it's only ever been the tracks getting stretched, then derailing and being stuck. I'm also wondering about something stuck in the gears.

 

[All Thumbs]

How old is it?

There's a rebuild kit available, but for me it's only ever been the tracks getting stretched, then derailing and being stuck. I'm also wondering about something stuck in the gears.

Here is a reply from before 2014 by Jguy.
Similar story here but with different conclusion. After working perfectly for most of last season I had a similar issue with my MX8. Zodiac support sent me a new A-side control. That seemed to help for a few days but before long the MX8 ws running in circles again. Over the winter I took the old A-side control apart and found no sign of wear or damage. Checked out everything including treads but it would still periodically run in circles due to either A or B side not driving. What I discovered was that the bevel gears on the drive shaft were not making reliable contact with the gears in the A and B controls. The bevel gears mount on a brass shaft that runs through the paddle that driven by water suction. The solution was to remove the bevel gear (simple size 4 screw) from the drive shaft and place two washers behind the gear. With that modification my MX8 has run perfectly all summer and I now have a spare A-side control.

 

[Nat23]

Here is a reply from before 2014 by Jguy.
Similar story here but with different conclusion. After working perfectly for most of last season I had a similar issue with my MX8. Zodiac support sent me a new A-side control. That seemed to help for a few days but before long the MX8 ws running in circles again. Over the winter I took the old A-side control apart and found no sign of wear or damage. Checked out everything including treads but it would still periodically run in circles due to either A or B side not driving. What I discovered was that the bevel gears on the drive shaft were not making reliable contact with the gears in the A and B controls. The bevel gears mount on a brass shaft that runs through the paddle that driven by water suction. The solution was to remove the bevel gear (simple size 4 screw) from the drive shaft and place two washers behind the gear. With that modification my MX8 has run perfectly all summer and I now have a spare A-side control.

It would help me. If you might post a picture of where to place the two washers. Thanks for your posts about this.