Replacing the Top Distributor

The top distributor is located under the valve head, inside the tank neck. Follow our steps below to replace it. 

Tools Needed:

Silicone based lubricant

Pliers (optional)

Disconnect Valve Head

1. Turn off the main water in your home and open a nearby softened water faucet to relieve pressure in your plumbing.

2. Bypass the unit by pushing the handle in on the back:

3. Remove the top cover:

a. On the back of the unit, unhook the two clips that hold the cover onto the tank below (Figure 1). Flex/pull the cover out and away from the softener at these clips. 

b. There are two similar clips holding the front of the cover on as well. Slide the cover towards you to release these clips, being careful not to disconnect any wires. (Figure 2). It is normal for the plastic cover to produce some noise as it shifts and bends. 

4. Unplug the power cord from your outlet.

5. Disconnect all wires from the valve head to free the top cover from the unit.

6. Remove the black C-clips from the softener/bypass connection. Pull one side of the black plastic C-clip away from the softener, and slowly roll it towards the other side to remove.

***If the clips seem stuck, slowly and gently rock the softener back and forth slightly while applying pressure to the clip as described above to free them.

7. Pull the softener away from the bypass assembly.

8. Disconnect the Drain hose by releasing the black clip on the right-hand side of the head (pictured below). You may want to have a towel handy here to catch any residual water in the valve head. 

9. Disconnect the Brine hose by unscrewing the white nut attached to the Venturi (pictured below).

10. Remove the two large white clamps from the tank neck by unhooking the retainer clips that hold them together.
11. With both hands on the valve head, wiggle it side to side as you pull it up and off. Set the valve head aside.

Replace the Top Distributor

1. Remove the large O-ring around the tank neck, and the small O-ring that sits on the center riser tube.

2. Carefully slide the top distributor up off the riser tube, being careful not to pull the tube up with you - the tube should remain resting on the bottom of the resin tank.

3. Remove the O-ring that sits around the bottom of the top distributor, and move it to your new distributor basket. Confirm this O-ring is well lubricated with a silicone-based lubricant.

4. Push the new top distributor basket (with O-ring) onto the riser tube, and push it down to sit on the tank neck.

5. Place the large O-ring back around the tank neck.

6. Roll the small O-ring back onto the riser tube, adding more lubricant if needed. This O-ring should sit about 1/4 inch from the top of the riser tube.

Reassembling Softener

1. Carefully place your valve head back onto the riser tube and push down until it rests on the tank below.

2. Reassemble the large white tank clamps and secure with the retaining clips around the neck.

3. Reconnect the softener to the bypass assembly and attach the two black C-clips. Confirm the black O-rings at this connection are well lubricated.

4. Reattach the brine and drain hoses to the head.

5. Reconnect all the wires onto the valve head:

6. Plug the power cord back into your outlet.

7. Reopen the main water supply and run a few cold-water faucets in your home until there is no air left in the lines.

8. Take your softener out of bypass and watch for leaks.