Hayward SharkVac Replacement Shaft, RCX97443

Hayward RCX97443 is the replacement shaft for the SharkVac robotic pool cleaner, model RC9740. It is the genuine Hayward OEM part, and Hayward notes it may fit other Hayward cleaner models.

Why a shaft wears out

Everything inside a robotic cleaner runs submerged, and the water it runs in carries sand and grit. Over hundreds of hours that grit works into the bearing surfaces and polishes, then grooves, the shafts. A shaft that has been scored or bent no longer turns cleanly, and the resistance shows up as a cleaner that drags on one side, stalls in a corner or climbs the wall poorly.

Ordering the right one

Shafts through the Hayward robot range look much alike and the differences are small. Match the part number RCX97443 against the parts breakdown for your cleaner rather than judging by appearance, especially if your unit is not an RC9740.

While you have it apart

A cleaner is only worth opening once. If the shaft is worn, look over the bushings, brushes and tracks or tires at the same time, since they all wear on the same schedule.