i wondered about the seal as well. (i don't have hayward. a sta-rite man) further re: gasket..i have been told by pool store guys not to bother lubricating the o ring (they say it's self lubricating) i say bs...what..it has silicone inside it? whether it needs it or not, i spray with a silicon spray a couple times a season. i think it's just their way to reduce the life and make me buy rings more often. there is no way with lubrication that it should have to be replaced every season.