Filter Cleaning - Unable to close the lid

I bought a new house and has a pool. Pool is 15000 Gallons, has Hayward DE filter 60sqft. The guy who came to check the filter seemed to be in a hurry and while taking apart the grids broke two of them. I thought its much better to do it myself and cleaned the grids and put them back. When putting back the grid assembly inside the filter housing and closing, I noticed that the top lid doesnt really close on the base and just slides around sitting on the big o ring. I tried to close the lid and tighten the belt with the two bolts on both edges, but it seems like a bit of a struggle to do that and it still seems not properly seated on the base. I dont want the lid to fly and land in my neighbors yard when I switch on the pump and pressure builds up. Am I doing something wrong? Or is it just that I need to keep tightening the bolts and the lid will squeeze the o ring and will come closer to the base and fit properly? Thanks for reading this. I couldn't search the forum if someone else already faced this issue and has been addresses here, since I dont seem to have the privilege to search in the forum. Hopefully I will be in the near future.

You'll need to find and post the make / model of the filter. You can search for it, via the Google Custom search link in my signature, but even better, you can go to Hayward's site and download a manual. Once we know exactly which filter it is, there's a fair chance we can help.

The filter did not have a label, but the grids are 30 inches long, so I assume its a 60sqft model. I am uploading a picture of it here. Based on that information, I assumed that the filter is DE6020 and I did check the manual in haywards website and it says "Use ONLY Hayward clamp system components; DEX2421JKIT clamp system, DEX2421J2 nut/bolt assembly,
DEX2422Z2 metal reinforced seal. Non-Hayward clamp components may fail in use and cause explosive
component separation. Verify that upper and lower filter bodies are properly secured with the filter body clamp.
Never rely on hand tightening the clamp nut to the clamp bolt. Using a ¾” socket on a torque wrench, torque clamp
nut to clamp bolt to 150 inch-lbs. Verify that the filter manual air relief body is in the LOCK position, and no filter
components are missing, damaged or not genuine Hayward components."
http://postimage.org/image/gk0aw3mrv/

Is this what you have?
http://www.hayward-pool.com/images/p...roGridDE_2.jpg

If so, it looks like this is the manual:
http://www.hayward-pool.com/pdf/manuals/Manual362.pdf

Thanks Ben.
I had attached the picture with my previous reply(but for some reason, it looks as though you were not able to see it). And the manual you mentioned is the one that I referred to when taking apart the filter grid and putting back together. From the picture you posted, it is similar except that the pressure gauge is sort of protruding on top and the top lid is a bit more taller in my filter. Let me try to attach the picture again.
http://i.imgur.com.KILLED/Lnfdz.jpg?1
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-I...2520filter.jpg

I *think* those are the same filters, but I'd suggest doing this:

1. Call Hayward support: 866-429-7665 for Arizona (I tried, I can't call that #)
2. Write down (or print, or have an email ready with) the link for this thread:
www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?15837
3. Ask the Hayward rep to LOOK at the picture in this link, and see what model it is.

Thanks for the number Ben!
I called at the number and spoke to a tech support. He told me that my unit is a DE6000.

Were you able to find the matching manual?

Yes, He had to send fax me the manual, since the product is obsolete and replaced with DE6020.
But it seems as though most of the details in the manual that you mentioned matches this one except for the physical differences between the models.
I was able to put the filter back together, but when I started the pump, the pressure seems to be too high ~35psi. There might be something causing this high pressure. May be because I only replaced 3 of the 8 filter grids (and others I only cleaned with a garden hose and didnt use any chemicals). I still dont undertstand all the valves in my system, and I think my in floor cleaning system (caretaker 5 port valve) would need rebuilding/replacing.

+ Gummed up DE grids can definitely cause a lot of back pressure, and poor filtration.
+ Caretaker systems waste enormous amounts of energy, and also cause a great deal of back pressure.
+ 35 psi on start up is WAY too high

Still the pressure is around 30 psi, so I kept it switched off for now. And turned my attention to the caretaker 99 pop up system. I took it apart to clean and check if the gears are worn out. The stainless steel net was kinda clogged, so I bought a replacement. The pistons seems to have lost a bit of strength, but I am just gonna try to clean everything and put it back to see if I can make it work.
But when I opened the gears inside the cam assembly, I was not that careful to note how they were placed against each other, and the whole gear system came apart. I searched how to find some information as to put all the gears back together at the right place, but seems there is no info available. Would you know how to put them back?
(I am talking about the plastic gears on the cam assembly). I could find rebuild kit instructions, but they all describe the cam assembly being held together with a rubber band and does not need to be assembled.

Not me! My approach to those things is to remove them, and arrange the heads so that there is some supplemental circulation, but no cleaning action. (I'm not a fan of in-floor cleaning systems: they are massive energy hogs, and seem to rarely work well after the first few years.)

I put back everything and i can see water coming through the pop up system, but it doesnt popup, may be i need to change the plastic pistons.
Now the pressure seems to be at 35psi. I think I really need to change all the grids or may be atleast clean them thoroughly. How do you know when to replace the grids? I replaced 3 of them since 1 was torn and 2 were broken by poolguy.

I'm having the same problem as mentioned initially in this thread with getting the clamp on my filter. I have the Hayward Micro clear 4800. Thanks in advance for your help.

Turns out my o-ring was the problem. Even though I did not remove the ring when I cleaned the cartridges, it had expanded when I opened the tank and released the pressure. A new ring and the lid goes back on.

Thanks for coming back to post what you discovered. May help someone else who has a similar problem sometime! :)