The expected life span of the Autotrol softener control valve is 20 - 30 years with a few minor repairs along the way. The Flapper Valve Discs in the valve body generally need replacement after 15 - 20 years. However, if your system is on a chlorinated water source, the Flapper Valves ( part # 1000250 ) will need replacement much sooner ( 5 - 10 years is common ). On chlorinated water supplies it is also necessary to replace the Flow Control Ball ( part # 4F, or # 1030502 ) which sits inside the Backwash Plug on the right rear of your valve. In severe cases it made be necessary to replace the injector ( # 28F-BB, 0r  # 1032971 ) also. There is no need to change other parts or o-rings unless you have a leak.

The flapper valve discs can be replaced by removing the 12 screws holding the top plate on ( you need to remove the cam and the timer housing first ). The flat springs pop out of the top of the valve discs. A pair of needle noses pliers helps with removing the springs ( and popping them back in place ), and also with pulling the valves out of the valve body. It is a fairly simple procedure.

PLEASE check carefully that the area where the valve disc "seat" is 100% clean, and be sure to Install the Discs into the Valve Body, and THEN lower the Top Plate on top. The Valve Discs must all be INSTALLED and SEATED first, for best possible results ( less chance of problems or leaks ).

The only other "tricky" part is to be careful putting the 12 screws back in. The screws are self tapping. I recommend turning them slowly in reverse until you feel them drop into  the thread groove, then alternate tightening them down. Do not over tighten, since you are screwing metal into plastic. 

1) Set of Flapper Valve Discs part # 1000250
1) Injector Cap part # 1000218
1) Injector part # 28F-BB, 1032971 
1) Injector Screen & Cap part # 1000226 
1) Brine Control part # 1F-19, 1034263 
1) Backwash Plug part # 25F-9, 1000211 
2) Flow Control Balls part # 4F, 1030502 
1) Tank Adapter O-rings ( 32F,(4)35F,37F ) part # 150A129, 1001404
1) Silicone Lubricant one gram part # AP1013501

    An obvious problem that can occur is for the timer motor to fail. The motors turn at 1 rpm, so it is quite easy to tell if it is turning. A more common problem is for one or more of the drive gears to strip. Removing the Tripper Arm screw, the Skipper Wheel screw and the three cover plate screws will gain you complete access to all components for careful examination. It is easier to work on your timer housing is you remove it from the valve body ( pull out "flag locking pin, slide power cord out of it's retaining slot, unscrew Cam Shaft Bearing at rear of Cam Shaft, and then pull housing straight up )

Common Gears that Fail
1.  Tripper Arm Gear # 99F ( 1031756 )
2.  # 7 Black Gear # 420A43 ( 1031554 )
3.  Red Knob Gear # 106H ( 1001582 )
4.  #8 Black Gear # 420A44 ( 1030844 )

    Also the "Out Put Connector" # 21E ( 1031496 ) which attaches to and drives the Cam Shaft can crack or break. On rare occasions the Camshaft # 21F-3 ( 1031950 )will break at one end. Also, rare is a cracked Skipper Wheel # 14F-6 ( 1031740 ). Close examination of both sides of the Skipper Wheel is required to detect this failure.
    And last, but not least, you can have a gear post break in the housing body it's self. The "Empty 440 Case" # 90F ( 420N66 ) is NO LONGER available ( only the 440i version Backplate, but it can NOT be used with older 440 parts ),
So it is simpler and prudent to replace the Complete Timer Assembly ( with the 440IHV ) at this point.
A complete replacement is also prudent if the unit is over 20 years old.
NOTE: We only have a few of these ( 440 ) left, and we recommend using the NEW version = 460TC as a replacement.