Thank you for taking the time to carefully and accurately explain the repair procedure. This video is exactly why TH-cam is so valuable especially when it comes to minor issues such as these.
Thanks to your great video instructions, I was able to replace the assembly on my own. The instructions provided by the company were of little help, but your detailed explanations got the job done!
Thank you so much for this video. I never even looked at the confusing directions from the company. All I needed was your video and a shot or 2 of Jameson. Single moms everywhere thank you!!!🎉
Thank you so much for this! This is the second time in a year that my elderly parent’s water softener had this problem. The first time they hired plumbers to come out and fix it, so when I the same issue happened they were really upset that they would have to pay someone to do it again. Thanks to your video, I was able to fix it for them, and all it cost them was dinner! ❤
Thanks so much for this. AO Smith sent me the new part with no instructions. Fortunately I found this video before I even received it and it's probably much better than any written instructions. I was able to complete this with no issue. Thank you !!!
My 35K unit was making the same loud clicking noises and water was filling up in the tank. Our water softener is only a little more then 3 months old so I was shocked when the problem occurred. Contacted A.O. Smith and explained the problem and clicking noise and they sent me out a replacement unit. After watching your video I was able to change out the old unit for the new one and once assembled my water softener is now working properly again. Your video was much easier to understand then their paper document. As the previous gentleman said, straight and to the point great video.
Wow. You are a cool cat! Just heard mine, and looked up your video. It's under warrantee so I will call AO Smith and see about a free replacement. Thanks!
Thank you so much for the video! Got the part from AO Smith and as the instructions for the screws next to the IN part was wrong I was struggling. Appreciate the correction and hope this replacement fixes our issue with the brine tank overfilling.
Thank you Thank you Thank you... the primitive paper instructions that AO Smith supplied were useless..... I wasted time and phone calls to AO Smith that could have been a simple process if one of thier engineers just put out a video like yours. Thx again
Good video. Thanks for the clear and CORRECT instruction. AO Smith provided a pamphlet with pictures but it only showed how to remove the part. Those instructions were incorrect or unnecessary on some of the steps. Then they left out the reinstallation portion from the instructions, and had no mention of where the two prongs needed to go. Luckily it was mostly self-explanatory, but I didn’t want to take a risk of have a second malfunctioning unit. At least it was quick and easy to get the new part from them. Won’t be buying another AO Smith product in the future though. I did notice that the part the gear would catch on was redesigned to be out of the way more on this new part that I received. Hopefully that at least gets this thing through the rest of the 5 year warranty.
This is an awesome video! Had the exact same issue on the exact same water softener. Called support on a Saturday, walked them through it and they are shipping the part under warranty. I still had to pay shipping but it beats replacing the water softener for $400 - $500 dollars.
Is there any way you can post a video going over the plumbing in of this water softener showing the flow of water from the brine tank to the tall Rosen tank I got a used system and I’m not sure of the flow order wether the water goes to the brine tank then the tall Rosen tank then to the house?
Excellent video! My softener isn’t using salt. If you walk it through each step it appears to work. But it’s not using salt and manufacturer sent me this part. Hope it works. Thnx.
Thanks for this video. Like so many others, my AO started clicking and not working. The company was nice about it and sent me the part asap. One difference - I did not see any wear or breakage on the plastic gear. Maybe it became loose on its axis and started skipping. One other thing - I reused the original short hose, pushed it all the way in and got the key to click on no problem, but now it leaks a little when the unit cycles. I will keep an eye on it. I did not see how to change it at the other end, so left it alone. Any idea how it comes off of the other end that goes down into the tank in case I need to switch it out? Thanks again!!
I'd first try to redo that leaking tube connection. Clean it up some and look for damage. If it's ok then reinsert the hose into the fitting. Maybe push and pull on the tube some to get the fitting to seat. If it still leaks I believe the other end is a similar fitting. Push on the white part while pulling on the tube
What is this part called that you ordered? Just bought this house less than a year ago. AO Smith, just like this one, has the same issue. I will need to order this part to fix the problem.
Yup, exact same problem here. Took it apart as you detailed, and lubricated it and then put it back together, seems to work at least for the 1st try but that black gear is definitely stripped in the same place. A.O. Smith should make that black gear out of metal not plastic to solve this issue. Obviously the lubrication wears down to the point that moving the drum is harder than the plastic gears can handle so the plastic gears strip.
"warranty runs for five (5) years from the date of purchase by a consumer for mechanical and electronic parts and ten (10) years from the date of purchase by a consumer for the media tank/main control valve and brine cabinet"
No sorry I do not. Owner's manual doesn't mention one. If you remove the inlet pipe connection, you might be able to see if it's clogged. I have a sediment filter before my water softener.
Not sure. Maybe try unplugging and plugging in the wires beneath the screen. Can try cleaning the contacts, they might be corroded. The senor might be bad too. I'd try calling the number on the owners manual for help diagnosing, especially if it's under warranty.
exactly what i needed. The warranty on this equipemnt is bogus & I had to pay $82 to get the new part. The instructions were NEVER sent as promised by tech support. Never go AO Smith again !!! update. got the part several days after they charged me o/night shipping. The lower screw to the motor is a tough angle to extract. Make sure you use the new screws they send as the old ones are your typical Chicom junk & the heads strip. It amazes me that the only moving parts are cheap plastic that will undoubtedly fail again.
I lubricated the shaft and cam under the gear and got it to work again without having to wait on the replacement to show up. May only be a short term fix though
This is an awesome video. I have the exact same issue with my ao smith. Any chance you could say what the part # is and how to get it. Thank you for making this video. I am excited to get the softener up and running again.
Thanks for the video!! Modern bean-counting, profit-maximizing “engineering”. I have the exact same problem. Click, click. “Home not found”. It’s a design defect, in my opinion. It requires too much torque to work the cam against the small plastic spring-loaded button that push/pulls the water control valve, and the plastic gear teeth break. If they had made the plastic cam wheel twice that size with more gently sloped cams, I bet it would have worked for at least 10 years. The parts probably all need lubricants every year or two. Everything’s made of plastic! Very cheap to cast plastic parts rather than machine metal ones. Maybe they could 3D-print metal ones?
Thank you for taking the time to carefully and accurately explain the repair procedure. This video is exactly why TH-cam is so valuable especially when it comes to minor issues such as these.
Thanks!
Thanks to your great video instructions, I was able to replace the assembly on my own. The instructions provided by the company were of little help, but your detailed explanations got the job done!
Thanks, glad to hear it
AO Smith sent me the parts but no instructions. Without your video I would have never been able to install the new parts. Thanks so much.
Wow glad to hear it helped you!
Thank you so much for this video. I never even looked at the confusing directions from the company. All I needed was your video and a shot or 2 of Jameson. Single moms everywhere thank you!!!🎉
Haha thanks! Good choice in whiskey
Thank you so much for this! This is the second time in a year that my elderly parent’s water softener had this problem. The first time they hired plumbers to come out and fix it, so when I the same issue happened they were really upset that they would have to pay someone to do it again. Thanks to your video, I was able to fix it for them, and all it cost them was dinner! ❤
Awesome glad to hear it
Thanks so much for this. AO Smith sent me the new part with no instructions. Fortunately I found this video before I even received it and it's probably much better than any written instructions. I was able to complete this with no issue. Thank you !!!
Glad I could help!
My 35K unit was making the same loud clicking noises and water was filling up in the tank. Our water softener is only a little more then 3 months old so I was shocked when the problem occurred. Contacted A.O. Smith and explained the problem and clicking noise and they sent me out a replacement unit. After watching your video I was able to change out the old unit for the new one and once assembled my water softener is now working properly again. Your video was much easier to understand then their paper document. As the previous gentleman said, straight and to the point great video.
Awesome glad to hear you figured it out!
Wow. You are a cool cat! Just heard mine, and looked up your video. It's under warrantee so I will call AO Smith and see about a free replacement. Thanks!
Awesome good luck!
Fyi - its 7/12/24 and they have NOT fixed the instructions on those screws (or the old parts you have to use). So glad I found this video. THANK YOU!
Haha interesting, thanks for sharing. Glad the video helped!
Thank you so much for the video! Got the part from AO Smith and as the instructions for the screws next to the IN part was wrong I was struggling. Appreciate the correction and hope this replacement fixes our issue with the brine tank overfilling.
Glad it helped and hope the replacement works for you!
Thank you Thank you Thank you... the primitive paper instructions that AO Smith supplied were useless..... I wasted time and phone calls to AO Smith that could have been a simple process if one of thier engineers just put out a video like yours. Thx again
Glad it helped!
Good video. Thanks for the clear and CORRECT instruction. AO Smith provided a pamphlet with pictures but it only showed how to remove the part. Those instructions were incorrect or unnecessary on some of the steps. Then they left out the reinstallation portion from the instructions, and had no mention of where the two prongs needed to go. Luckily it was mostly self-explanatory, but I didn’t want to take a risk of have a second malfunctioning unit. At least it was quick and easy to get the new part from them. Won’t be buying another AO Smith product in the future though. I did notice that the part the gear would catch on was redesigned to be out of the way more on this new part that I received. Hopefully that at least gets this thing through the rest of the 5 year warranty.
Awesome glad to hear the new part looks more skookum
Thanks for the video, just realized a couple of steps can be skipped (removing the nut/wheel and line connector) as the part comes with these on it.
Ah good to know, saves some time!
Thank you! Was able to do this myself since my husband doesn’t have the patience.
Welcome!
This is an awesome video! Had the exact same issue on the exact same water softener. Called support on a Saturday, walked them through it and they are shipping the part under warranty. I still had to pay shipping but it beats replacing the water softener for $400 - $500 dollars.
Glad it helped!
Mine went out 11 months out of warranty, sadly, set me back just under $100. Thanks for the video, it really helped!
Thanks good luck!
Man this video helped me a bunch!! Thank so much bro!!
Bet
Mines doing this. Trying to get ahold of A.O. Smith. Hopefully they stand by their warranty. Thanks for the vid.
Hope it works out. They were cool with me
Is there any way you can post a video going over the plumbing in of this water softener showing the flow of water from the brine tank to the tall Rosen tank I got a used system and I’m not sure of the flow order wether the water goes to the brine tank then the tall Rosen tank then to the house?
Sorry, this unit is all in one so there's no separate brine or resin tank. For this unit, you just have one water in and one water out.
Excellent video! My softener isn’t using salt. If you walk it through each step it appears to work. But it’s not using salt and manufacturer sent me this part. Hope it works. Thnx.
Hope it works!
Thank you for this video!
Welcome!
Thanks for this video. Like so many others, my AO started clicking and not working. The company was nice about it and sent me the part asap. One difference - I did not see any wear or breakage on the plastic gear. Maybe it became loose on its axis and started skipping. One other thing - I reused the original short hose, pushed it all the way in and got the key to click on no problem, but now it leaks a little when the unit cycles. I will keep an eye on it. I did not see how to change it at the other end, so left it alone. Any idea how it comes off of the other end that goes down into the tank in case I need to switch it out? Thanks again!!
I'd first try to redo that leaking tube connection. Clean it up some and look for damage. If it's ok then reinsert the hose into the fitting. Maybe push and pull on the tube some to get the fitting to seat. If it still leaks I believe the other end is a similar fitting. Push on the white part while pulling on the tube
Nothing lasts anymore, I’ve had mine less than 18 months and same exact issue. Thanks for video.
Sorry to hear that. Glad it helped.
Any way you might be able to tell me how you got the part? I’m not able to find it online….
I called the number on the owners manual 855.424.9892 for the part.
Thanks man. Was able to fix mine with your video. Straight to the point. And assuming from the lack of update video I think it fixed yours too haha!
Yep it's been a month and it's still working
What is this part called that you ordered? Just bought this house less than a year ago. AO Smith, just like this one, has the same issue. I will need to order this part to fix the problem.
drive assembly, Part #100238187
Did you have to regen the softener after the controller found Home again or did the unit return to normal operation without any additional action?
It returned home when I plugged it in and the error cleared. But it's not a bad idea to do a manual regen if it hasn't been able to regen itself.
Yup, exact same problem here. Took it apart as you detailed, and lubricated it and then put it back together, seems to work at least for the 1st try but that black gear is definitely stripped in the same place. A.O. Smith should make that black gear out of metal not plastic to solve this issue. Obviously the lubrication wears down to the point that moving the drum is harder than the plastic gears can handle so the plastic gears strip.
Yeah I think they're aware of the design flaw
Kept me from having to read the directions lol A+
Ha glad it helped
I have had this problem 3 times with 2 different AO Smith softeners. They really need to fix this issue.
Yeah I think it's a common problem/flaw. But the replacement part is still working well.
Wonder what is warranty timeframe? 1:22 So odd this many go out!
"warranty runs for five
(5) years from the date of purchase by a
consumer for mechanical and electronic
parts and ten (10) years from the date of
purchase by a consumer for the media
tank/main control valve and brine cabinet"
Do you happen to know where the inlet filter is located?
No sorry I do not. Owner's manual doesn't mention one. If you remove the inlet pipe connection, you might be able to see if it's clogged. I have a sediment filter before my water softener.
Mine said please connect to turbine sensor ….? what does that mean ?
Not sure. Maybe try unplugging and plugging in the wires beneath the screen. Can try cleaning the contacts, they might be corroded. The senor might be bad too. I'd try calling the number on the owners manual for help diagnosing, especially if it's under warranty.
Thanks!
No problem!
Thanks man, your directions were superb!
Glad it helped!
exactly what i needed. The warranty on this equipemnt is bogus & I had to pay $82 to get the new part. The instructions were NEVER sent as promised by tech support. Never go AO Smith again !!!
update.
got the part several days after they charged me o/night shipping. The lower screw to the motor is a tough angle to extract. Make sure you use the new screws they send as the old ones are your typical Chicom junk & the heads strip. It amazes me that the only moving parts are cheap plastic that will undoubtedly fail again.
Ah no instructions is lame. I think they emailed them to me. Well glad the video helped
I lubricated the shaft and cam under the gear and got it to work again without having to wait on the replacement to show up. May only be a short term fix though
Interesting. Yeah my gear was chewed through.
This is an awesome video. I have the exact same issue with my ao smith. Any chance you could say what the part # is and how to get it. Thank you for making this video. I am excited to get the softener up and running again.
Hey Jensen, the number on the package was 100238187. I got the part by calling AO Smith at 855.424.9892. They call the part the drive assembly.
pure garbage don’t buy problem from day 1
Yeah not impressed
Thanks for the video!!
Modern bean-counting, profit-maximizing “engineering”. I have the exact same problem. Click, click. “Home not found”. It’s a design defect, in my opinion. It requires too much torque to work the cam against the small plastic spring-loaded button that push/pulls the water control valve, and the plastic gear teeth break. If they had made the plastic cam wheel twice that size with more gently sloped cams, I bet it would have worked for at least 10 years. The parts probably all need lubricants every year or two. Everything’s made of plastic! Very cheap to cast plastic parts rather than machine metal ones. Maybe they could 3D-print metal ones?
Mine is 5 months. 2nd screen. 2nd motor. Oil in the salt
which number did you call, i'm searching and coming up with turkey.
The number on the owners manual. 855.424.9892
@@gjackets thanks prior owner did not leave the manual.