Hayward Phantom Cams, 3 Pack, AX5003M

The Hayward AX5003M is the genuine cam set for the Phantom and Phantom Turbo cleaners and the Viper and Viio Turbo, supplied as a pack of three.

What the cams do

These cleaners walk rather than roll. Water flow spins a turbine, and the cams translate that rotation into the stepping motion that moves the unit across the floor and up the walls. Because the cams carry that load on every step, they are one of the first things to round off inside the drive.

When to change them

Worn cams show up as a cleaner that stalls in a corner, turns in place, or covers less of the pool than it used to while the turbine still sounds healthy. They wear as a group, so fit all three from the pack rather than replacing one and leaving the others.