MAKHOON Rebuild Repair Kit Replacement for Polaris Zodiac Automatic Pool Cleaner 280 (Not Compatible with Polaris 360 380)

I saw several reviews that either complained about the instructions being inadequate (they are somewhat) or the quality of parts. I found the parts to be first class! Everything fits just like the OEM parts. I had NO problems or concerns about that. As far as Instructions, I didn't even look at them. I carefully disassembled the unit on a large workbench/table, taking note of how the unit was put together. I kept parts and screws (you need to reuse almost all of the screws) set to the upper left, lower left, upper right, lower right, etc, so I'd know which screws/parts went where when putting it back together. Easy, peasy. You have to take the top off, so disconnect the input/pressure hose, remove the large screwed on float, remove the whip. Take the screws out to remove the top plastic section. Remove the wheels making note of the 2 drive wheels that the new axel gears engage. Take a picture of the wheel mounting screws/assembly before you remove them. Later put them back the same way. There IS a right and wrong way. Remove the screws that hold the axel and paddle wheel part in place. Remove the housing parts, remove the old axel with gears on it, put the new axel in place, put the screws that hold it in place back in, put the housing parts back in place, and tighten the screws. Hand tight on all screws. VERY snug, but don't make them so tight that you strip the threads in the plastic, etc. Take the bottom half of the unit off so you can get to the Idler wheel mounting screw. Remove the old idler wheel, put the new one in place making sure to attach the spring the same way as the old one.Here's where the hardest part was for me. The unit comes with a small part that provides a cover for the end tab on the Idler wheel part. It's a small plastic piece about an inch and a half long, 1/4 inch wide, and has two round tabs that have "split feet" that are to be pushed thru the bottom housing. This part provides an area for the Idler wheel tab to slide in. Getting those split feet inserted into the holes in the bottom half cover was VERY hard. I finally used some lithium grease (cooking oil would work), and used needle-nose pliers to squeeze the split feet and get them started into the snap in holes. Almost a 2 person job for this step. Once I had this task done, I put the new Idler wheel in place - again the same way as the old one. I put the bottom cover/housing back in place, then I put the 3 new wheels in place, making sure the gears were engaged on the 2 drive wheels. I made sure the Idler wheel was fully engaging the 2 wheels, put the top housing back on, reattached the whip and pressure feed hose, and was done. The wheels DO have a little bit of adjustment possible (forward or back) when putting them back in place. I just made sure the new plastic mounting was in exactly the same place as the old ones.My rebuilt unit is running around my pool just like NEW! The only thing remaining is to make adjustments to the rear jet nozzle so the cleaner climbs as needed, gets to all the areas of the pool, etc. I had to do this when the Cleaner was new. Now that it's running like new, I'm having to readjust it as I've slowly moved the old nozzle over the years to compensate for wear/tear. GREAT VALUE for this rebuild kit. Less than 1/4 of the cost of a brand new unit, and I now HAVE a brand new unit!

Annual Polaris rebuild and this product worked just fine - much cheaper than OEM and just as effective

Review for the wheels/internal replacements. Comes with everything you need. Take your time and you’ll have a new replacement at a very reasonable price. Also ordered separately the top cover parts as the older one cracked under the UV lights. Great buy!

Couple of things: Despite it showing in the picture, I did not receive a new rear float. Mine seems to be ok so I'm ok with that. Second, the spacers for the impeller/drive axle were too short which would have left the impeller banging against the side of the case. I transferred the ones from the original polaris brand axle over. Time will tell on how long the bearings hold up. Now that I've done this rebuild once, I will probably just buy the individual parts ad hoc.

I have used this rebuild kit (or ones like it) three times now on my Polaris 280 to bring it back to life. The kit contains all the likely parts that get worn out on the 280. Its almost certain that your sweep will work like brand new once you replace these parts. One item that also tends to go bad is the back up valve that moves the sweep backwards every few minutes to keep it from getting stuck. Unfortunately it is not a part of this kit, but other than that it covers all the other parts. You can also get a rebuild kit that covers all the other parts like the body itself that don't need replacing very often. Between the two kits you have a brand new sweep at half the cost or less of a new one. It's the way to go...these parts are super easy to replace with just a screw driver.

I rebuilt my pool vac with this kit. I am pretty handy, but I am pretty sure my wife could have even rebuilt this thing with the included instructions. Don't be a baby and buy this kit and fix your broken pool vac. I mean it stop being a baby.

This is a perfect replacement of all parts on my Polaris 280 vacuum. The assembly video is great reference for replacing and rebuilding the whole guts. Everything fit and worked super!

Rebuild kit was good, but the float failed after about a week and filled up with water..