What kind of life expectancy should an impeller have?

by Steve Seamans
(Norfolk Va)

4-5 year old XP3. I have replaced the impeller twice now in the last year and am getting ready to order a 3rd. The ends where the shaft go through are wearing out and allowing it to wobble creating excessive noise. I have replaced the shaft and the end bushings each time also. I checked the shaft on a flat surface and it is true. Is a 6 month interval normal for the replacement impellers or should I be looking further for a cause?

A: Normally, a rotor lasts 4-5 years minimum. When a filter is more than 4 years old and you have the symptoms you describe, something else is going on. If I had to guess, it would be that the impeller cover and/or the rim on the motor is either warped or just plain worn out. This prevents the impeller cover from locking into the rim on the motor housing. It eventually vibrates loose allowing the rotor to wobble. I can't think of anything else that could cause the symptoms you describe.